Sharing a home with a puppy is a great joy as well as worry. Especially if you have no previous experience with a dog or other domestic animal. Before getting a puppy, you should take into account a number of things, think about them carefully and prepare properly for the arrival of the new family member.
Birds of a feather...
Before getting a pet, you should think about which breed is suitable for you, other members of your family and your lifestyle. Active individuals who are used to spending every free moment on long walks in the nature may consider high-energy breeds such as the Border Collie. Some want a dog primarily for the cuddles and for having a good companion. For these people, a Bichon may be good. Some people, on the other hand, need a dog for work, and will select the right breed accordingly.
House or apartment?
The second criterion to take into account is the space which the puppy will occupy. Do you live in an apartment without a garden and spend all your time at work? Then you should take this into account, as some dogs (for example those belonging to the large breeds) may suffer in a small apartment. On the other hand, even a big can manage living in an apartment. But, if you live in a house with a garden, you have more flexibility when choosing the right breed.
Your availability
Relating to this is another aspect: time. If you know that you can spend time with your dog mainly in the evening, after work, and want to go for shorter walks, be sure to keep that in mind when choosing a puppy. If, on the contrary, you can afford daily long walks, preferably several times a day, feel free to consider getting one of the livelier and more energetic breeds that require movement.
Pedigree: yes or no?
When choosing a puppy, you should also consider whether it is important for you whether your dog has a pedigree. A pedigree represents, among other things, a guarantee of the breed’s standard, details about its origin, and above all, the certainty that the puppy will grow into the dog you chose. For dogs without a pedigree, you cannot be sure of its origin, not knowing which characteristics and standards the dog will acquire, meaning a greater uncertainty. Also pay attention to where you are getting your puppy from. Avoid any puppy mills, as these facilities usually treat dogs inhumanely and breed them primarily for profit.
Joys and worries
These are some of the basic aspects to think about before bringing a new family member home. The dog itself and caring for it require time, diligence and perseverance. However, the reward will be endless joy and an incredible amount of love and support. On the other hand, it means a commitment, a living creature that will be dependent on you to some extent. With a new dog you will experience an incredible adventure, you just have to be sure that you are able to enjoy it properly.
Dog obedience is a big topic not only among dog owners, but also outside the community. A dog that does not obey the commands of his owner can be a big problem. Therefore, every dog should undergo at least basic training. The level of training then,...
Cats love fresh air. At least most of them do. However, not all of them have the opportunity to enjoy freedom in nature. Especially cats living in cities spend a lot of time indoors without the opportunity to run freely. That is why cat owners may...
It is a well-known fact that every dog likes to play. However, not all dog owners use the option of interactive toys. These toys, in addition to being fun and an outlet for energy, also offer the possibility of development. They have a positive effect...
Our pets are often members of our families, so it goes without saying that we want to give them the same privileges and comforts as anyone else. Although we couldn’t imagine it in the beginning, our canine companions follow us everywhere. On the...
We usually want only the best for our pets. That is why we often look for ways to improve their quality of life and make sure to support their health as much as possible. We feed them with the best on the market, include regular walks and activities...
In this next part of our series dedicated to dogfrisbee, an activity where the dog is thrown a disc, which he then catches and brings back, we focus on the discipline of Dogdartbee. This discipline comes from the Netherlands and its main essence is...
Like dogs, even cats may have therapeutic effects on patients. This treatment method is called felinotherapy and is suitable for both chronically ill patients, who may need help with coping, and those who suffer from long-term stress. Cats can bring...
Rabbits are popular pets, especially with children. They are cute and like to be petted. It’s good to know, however, that there is a wide range of rabbit breeds. There are even giant breeds, which require slightly different care than dwarf breeds. We...
There are a number of dog breeds that fall into the giant category. We may know and see a lot of them. How do these dogs differ from the mid-sized or even smaller breeds? And what do they need in terms of nutrition, raising and home? On this topic, we...
Sharing a home with a puppy is a great joy as well as worry. Especially if you have no previous experience with a dog or other domestic animal. Before getting a puppy, you should take into account a number of things, think about them carefully and...
Dogsled races are fascinating events. For the dogs and the mushers, these are challenging activities for which they need to prepare properly not only physically but also mentally. The races are not just about performance, but especially about stamina...
Thai cats originate from Siam, today’s Thailand, and came to Europe in the 1880s, then under the name Royal Cats of Siam. However, the whole process of recognition of the breed and its breeding is a complex matter. Around the 1930s, two currents...
