So you’ve decided to buy a new puppy. This may well be the best (worst for your furniture!) decision you’ve made. Bringing up a puppy can be a very challenging, but often rewarding venture.
There is a lot to think about before buying a puppy though, so here we will discuss a few of the most important things to consider before expanding your family!
Is now the right time for a new dog?
Have a think about whether you have the time and capability to look after a new puppy. New puppies can be a great deal of work, and you must be ready to commit fully in all aspects. It all goes back to the old cliché “A puppy is not just for Christmas”!
Have you considered rehoming?
Before buying a puppy, it is important to know that there are many dogs already available who don’t have homes. If you are interested in rehoming a dog, there are many rescue centres who have many happy, healthy and friendly dogs all waiting for a new home.
What breed/cross-breed do you want?
There are lots of different breeds of dog, and when taking into account all of the potential cross breeds you can have, there suddenly becomes a huge choice available to you! Knowing which breed or cross breed you want is very important and there are some essential things you must consider before deciding.
Is this the right breed/ cross-breed for me?
You have to decide at this stage what breeds/ cross-breeds are best suited to your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a small high rise apartment and do not lead an outdoor lifestyle, working breeds like collies, kelpies and cattle dogs are not suited for this environment. Conversely, if you love the outdoors and spend every spare minute running marathons etc, then a small breed like a French Bulldog probably isn’t the best idea either.
Have a think about what you spend most of your time doing and where you do it, before committing to a breed/ cross-breed.
Problems associated with types of breed
You will find, in your research, that there are a lot of conditions that are commonly associated with various breeds of dog. For example, a lot of short-nose breeds (Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs etc) often have problems breathing and struggle with long palates and narrow nostrils. Often these problems will need medical attention and sometimes surgical intervention. Make sure you have a good understanding of these problems to avoid any surprises at your first vet visit!
Will you be getting insurance?
In short… YES! We always recommend insurance for all of our furry little friends. Unfortunately, rising costs of medicine and surgery can mean that looking after a pet can be an expensive exercise. It is always sensible to have some kind of financial safety net with all pets, be they indoor or outdoor, small or big, young or old.
Preventatives
You need to be prepared for puppy shots! Your new puppy will need some vaccinations and treatment for the prevention of external and internal parasites (fleas, ticks, worms etc). It is very important that you keep these vaccinations and preventatives up to date as most of what we prevent against can be incredibly dangerous and in some cases fatal. Puppy vaccination prices can vary, but it’s imperative you don’t skimp on puppy vaccinations.
This is but a small list of thing to think about before buying a new little pupper, but there is always lots to think about.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to book an appointment with us at any point. Your first consultation with us is always free and our team is always happy to help out with any questions or concerns that you have.
Plus, we love puppies! Bring us lots of puppies to play with. Please.
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