Dogs – What you need to know

Which breed is right for you?

It is worth doing your homework into which breed would suit your home and lifestyle as some dogs need a lot more exercise and stimulation than others. Some dogs were built for working, and others have a high prey drive all factors to consider especially if you have children and other pets in the home. Take a look at our popular dog breed page to find the perfect pooch for you.

This puppy will grow!

If you choose a puppy, ensure you have done your research. Find out how big your dog will grow and if your puppy of choice is a crossbreed like a cockapoo or labradoodle, then find out if the poodle parent is a miniature, toy or full-size as this will make a big difference to the overall size of your dog. Your living arrangements may have a large impact on which breed you choose. Also, the larger the dog, the higher the overall expenses. Food and vet bills for example would be significantly higher for a Great Dane than a Chihuahua.

How to choose a breeder

If you opt for a puppy, then it is important you choose a reputable breeder and to ensure the pup is happy and healthy. There are a few things you should look for to help you find a reliable breeder. Spend time talking to them on the phone and when you meet with them you want to visit both mum and her puppies, where they were born and currently live. You should be able to visit your new pup regularly before they are old enough to come home and the breeder should be happy to use The Puppy Contract. Ask medical based questions about the parents for example a Labrador, have the parents been hip and elbow scored? There are also genetic tests that should be carried out on the parents if the breeder is responsible, and the results should be made visible to you. These tests will depend on the breed you choose but the results are important as they could impact your new pup's future health.

When you do meet your puppy and their mum, ask questions about the parents and their temperament, and see how the mother responds to the breeder. They should also provide you with a puppy pack which will include any paperwork/certificates, microchipping, worming and the results of any health tests as well as usually some puppy food and a blanket from their mum to help them settle into their new home. Ask when they were last wormed and if they have had flea treatment as you do not want to repeat these again if recently given.

Choosing a healthy pup

You obviously want to choose a healthy and happy little pup and so when you do go and meet them for the first time, check the following:

• Eyes -- clear, bright, no obvious discharge or squinting

• Nose -- free of discharge, it doesn't matter if it's warm, dry, cold, or wet!

• Skin -- clean, no evidence of fleas or flea dirt, no hair loss

• Behaviour -- active, friendly, and not afraid

• Ears -- clean, no smell -- cropped ears are illegal in the UK and any suspected procedure should be reported

• Breathing -- quiet and not laboured, no evidence of coughing

• Mouth -- clean white teeth with pink gums, may have black areas which is pigmentation

• Bottom -- clean and dry, no signs of diarrhoea

• Ribs -- not visible although for they will be visible for greyhounds, Italian greyhounds, and Whippets at a normal healthy weight

• Legs -- no sign of limping and no obvious deformities

• Abdomen -- no evidence of an umbilical hernia, ask when the puppy was wormed

What's the cost?

The upfront costs can vary massively depending on if you are buying a popular puppy breed versus rehoming a rescue dog. According to Pets4Homes, the most expensive dog breed is an English Bulldog which can set you back £2,995, whereas the cost of rehoming a dog through the Dogs Trust is just £185. As well as the cost of the dog, you will also need some basic equipment including a collar/harness, lead, toys, food and water bowls, crate (if using) a bed of some kind which can all cost anything from £100, if buying economically to as much as you would like to spend. There are also vet bills to consider which will involve vaccines if you are getting a puppy, plus worming, and flea treatment.

You will also have to pay out regularly on food and treats which on average is £25 per month for a small dog, but this will vary depending on the size of your dog and the type of food you choose. You will also need to consider ongoing flea and worming treatments on a monthly or quarterly basis, or you may opt for worm counts instead of worming treatment, but again you need to factor the expense in. You'll also need plenty of poo bags, it really is important to pick up after your dog! It's also worth bearing in mind the cost of dog walkers, sitters, or boarders for when you're not around for your pooch. If you are working in an office, then you may need to consider getting a dog walker for your dog during the day which can cost anything from £10 to £25 depending on where you live in the country and boarders can set you back approx. £30 per day or kennels about £15 per day. Always ensure all dog boarders have an up-to-date licence.

Another cost to consider is insurance and vet bills. Vet bills can be expensive and unexpected and so insurance is a good idea as this should cover the bulk of the vet bills. Insurance varies depending on the age of the dog, breed and cover required and starts from about £20 per month and goes up as the dog gets older. It is worth bearing in mind, certain breeds suffer with certain conditions, and this will impact your insurance cost from the beginning greatly. Perhaps research insurance costs at the same time as thinking about a potential breed.

Essentials

Before you bring your pup home, whether that's a puppy or rescue dog, there are a few essentials you will need to buy. Firstly, they will need somewhere to sleep, so a bed of some sort and a crate, if using. They will also need a food and water bowl, collar/harness, lead and toys. You will also need to have some dog food in, it's best to speak to the dog breeder or rescue centre so they can have the same food, as you don't want to upset their stomach, you can always change their food slowly when they are settled in their new home. They also need safe items to chew on! Puppies love to chew, it is brilliant for them mentally and may safe your arms and legs from becoming a chewing target.

Spend plenty of time choosing the right dog for you and your living requirements and try not to visit any puppies or dogs until you are certain that one is right for you as it is difficult to say no to those puppy dog eyes!

Source: RSPCA, Kennel Club, Pets4Homes