What should we be taking in to consideration when deciding whether to get a dog?

[HUCKMUCK]

DH and I both like the idea of getting a dog but I am adamant that we consider every thing that might have a bearing before we commit.

I grew up in a family that never had dogs so I have no experience at all. Dh had a dog when he was small but that was 50 odd years ago.

We have a DS 16 at home and live in a medium size dsemi detached house with a good sized garden.

I know it probably seems obvious, like I've thought about day times, I wfh 90% of the time and that won't change. We tend to holiday in the UK as we have a caravan although would need to think about holidays abroad as we may still want to do that once every couple of years when we can travel.

We have a cat - is it a recipe for disaster?

We wouldn't want a big dog.

I am so worrie about making the wrong decision and the last thing I want is for a poor dog to end up suffering becuase we hadn't considered something.

Any tips? Am I over thinking?

The best bit of advice I can give you is to think about what you can offer a dog, and then pick a breed that would suit your circumstances.

So, the main things (imo) to consider would be:

• how much time can you devote to the dog each day, both in terms of physical exercise, mental enrichment, and company?
• what level of grooming are you able or prepared to do? Dogs like poodles, for example, will need regular grooming appointments and regular brushing to prevent matting, whereas dogs like labradors or beagles probably won't need to ever visit a groomer.
• if you're going to have a day out that's not dog-friendly, do you have local dog-walker or pet-sitter who can come in and check on the dog?
• what things would you really struggle with? So, some breeds shed a lot, some are prone to barking, some dig, some have poor recall, some aren't known to be great with other dogs etc.

Best of luck! :)

Dogs, and dog ownership, should really be considered a lifestyle choice rather than a pet, I think.

Our 17 year old terrier died recently and while I was devastated, I have since realised how much our life was arranged around her needs. We have a toddler and I can honestly say a dog is more of a bind, which if course I didn't mind because she was a member of the family. I have never been without a dog, but I am quite enjoying the freedom of not having one. I

If you are at home quite a lot, like walking, go on UK holidays, and aren't bothered about spontaneity or a spotlessly clean house then a dog could be great. They are a massive committment, though.

Ah thanks this is all so helpful. My instinct is we’re not ready for it.

@Ihaveoflate

Dogs, and dog ownership, should really be considered a lifestyle choice rather than a pet, I think.

Our 17 year old terrier died recently and while I was devastated, I have since realised how much our life was arranged around her needs. We have a toddler and I can honestly say a dog is more of a bind, which if course I didn't mind because she was a member of the family. I have never been without a dog, but I am quite enjoying the freedom of not having one. I

If you are at home quite a lot, like walking, go on UK holidays, and aren't bothered about spontaneity or a spotlessly clean house then a dog could be great. They are a massive committment, though.

This in spades.

You need to be prepared to change a lot if your dog requires it.

You may get a dog that slots right in but all dogs need you to make adaptations to your own lifestyle to accommodate them. These changes may need to be flexible and also can last as long as 13 years.

Some dogs need you to make major changes.

Lifelong dog owner here, aside from this past year when our beloved girl passed away. Owning a dog is 100x more involved than you think, and it dominates nearly every aspect of your life. For as lovely as they are, they are a massive commitment and a huge amount of work, and that's if you get an "easy" dog.

My husband and I have decided we will not be getting another dog, which is very sad for us but it's the right decision. We no longer want to be tied down, and we definitely don't want to be dealing with all the care involved for a dog. We just don't have it in us anymore.

Dogs, and dog ownership, should really be considered a lifestyle choice rather than a pet, I think.

Definitely. Very, very few dogs just seamlessly fit into your life - you need to be prepared to adapt, and sometimes those adaptions are considerable.

My dog, for example, has separation anxiety and while I can leave him for short periods, it's not ideal as he only just tolerates it. I started a business that meant he could come to work with me (!) and while that's quite extreme I know lots of people who have turned down jobs and who turn down holidays, hobbies and nights out to be around for their dogs.

If you're not ready for the commitment, then a cat is a great alternative. They're very low maintenance and you can just go out and leave them and they're absolutely fine on their own. We have three cats alongside our beagle and the beagle is infinitely more work