| 1. |
|
Where do you live? How big is your house or flat? Do you have a
garden or is there a park nearby? |
| 2. |
|
How much time and energy do you have? Is there room in your life
for an active dog or should you be considering one that needs slightly
less exercise? |
| 3. |
|
Do you have children or grandchildren? Do these children have much
experience of dogs? What sort of dog is comfortable with children?
|
| 4. |
|
Are you out of the house a lot? If you work full-time, your dog
will have to spend a long time on his own. Not all dogs are happy
to do that. |
| 5. |
|
Can you afford a dog? From food to vet fees, owning a dog can work
out very expensive. You may want to settle for a smaller dog and avoid
breeds with known veterinary problems. |
| 6. |
|
Do you have another dog or cat or other pets? How are they going
to react to a new arrival? And which dog is most likely to get on
with them? |
| 7. |
|
How much do you know about the dog you have in mind? Different
breeds can be very different in terms of their behaviour, their demands
and their potential health problems. |
| 8. |
|
What age is best for you? Puppies will be more active and are less
likely to be trained. An adult dog may be calmer but also more set
in their ways. |
| 9. |
|
How about size and sex? A large dog in a small flat sounds like
a recipe for disaster but energy level is what really counts. Gender
matters, too, particularly if you have another dog. You may want to
get one of the same sex, or have one neutered. |
| 10. |
|
Will the coat fit? There are smooth dogs and there are hairy dogs.
Could you cope with the daily grooming a long-haired breed would require?
If you have an allergy to dog hair (or to vacuuming!) you may want
to think about a non-shedding breed. |