Am I ready for a PUPPY?

​Dogs are wonderful animals and owning one can be an absolute delight – a friend their whole life, a loyal companion, and a member of the family, despite the difference in species.

Many people choose to get their dogs as puppies and this has many benefits – you get to be there to ensure your pet has the best formative years you can, you can be absolutely sure it’s had treatment when it needs it and, of course, you hopefully get even more time to spend with your pet.

But owning any animal, including a puppy is a big decision.

According to the Kennel Club, 10% of puppies are bought as impulse purchases and 40% are bought just because of the way they look – while these may seem minor this can easily lead to people taking on animals they aren’t prepared for. Puppies are adorable, but many grow and develop in ways that might not seem obvious to the inexperienced.

​In Kennel Club’s study, only 10% reported that they bought a puppy after checking that it suited their lifestyle. This is in fact the most important thing to consider and so we at Bounders are compiling information to help you make the right decision for you and for your future pets, starting with this fundamental question:

aM i READY FOR A PUPPY?

​It can be easy to be swayed by the natural sweetness of a puppy and think you can ‘learn on the job’ after all, it’s what many do as first time parents, but that falls flat – a parent can have a rough idea of how another human will react to certain stimulus, a parent can have an idea of roughly what sort of capabilities a human will have and if needed can reach out to their other relatives who have done it before – none of these are a guarantee with a puppy! Like human babies, puppies require commitment and dedication, but unlike with our own young, your pet will require your care their entire life, which in some cases could be up to 15 or 20 years.

​This should be your first concern – are you certain you’ll be fit enough to handle the demands of the dog you’re taking on within that time frame? Puppies have boundless energy, so if you are older yourself, suffer from unfortunate medical issues and are unable to rely on relatives to keep your dog exercised and entertained, then it may be worth considering finding an older dog instead.

In addition to health, there is the cost – owning any pet requires investment and dogs are by no means cheap. To properly look after a puppy, you should provide:

• food and treats
• water bowls
• a lead and collar
• toys
• a bed and bedding
• poo bags
• a dog crate
• veterinary consultations/medications/surgeries for unexpected incidents or illnesses
• insurance
• grooming salons or grooming equipment
• obedience or training classes
• boarding kennels/pet sitting services

 
Likewise, you’ll need to consider the space available to you in regards to if you can truly accommodate a large dog – people in small urban homes, flats and people lacking gardens should absolutely avoid large dogs as they will quickly find themselves lacking the space to move around comfortably and to exercise as much as they need when they grow.

A good resource to use in order to ensure the best breed for you is the A-Z listing of dog breeds provided by the kennel club here - Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club - which will provide you with vital information concerning the characteristics and needs for the breed you’re interested in.

A puppy is a long commitment, both in time and energy and while rewarding, it’s important to be ready before you get one. If you’re not quite there yet, don’t panic! This doesn’t mean you can never get a dog, only that you’re not ready for one at the moment – this is a good thing to recognise and acknowledge. It shows you’re truly concerned about your pet’s wellbeing!

If you’re not ready for a puppy, we wish you find yourself ready soon.

​If you are certain you are ready for a puppy, join us in our next blog post to find out how to go about getting one!

The Bounders Hound Says:
Always research the breed you intend to buy before doing so, to make sure they’re a fit for you

• Remember your pet is a living breathing creature that needs your support its whole life – only get a puppy if you’re prepared and to fulfil that responsibility

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