What you need to know before you bring Fido home

Adding a dog to your life can be one of the best experiences of your life, or an absolute nightmare, depending on how much thought and planning you put into this decision. You need to consider his lifestyle and environment, the time and energy you have, as well as how much money you want to spend.

So before you commit to those big brown eyes and wagging tail, make sure you know (or have at least thought about) the answers to some pretty basic questions.

QUESTION #1 Puppy or adult dog?

It’s the first thing you really have to think about. Puppies are cute and cuddly, but they don’t stay that way for long – you’ll spend a lot more time with the adult dog than you will with the adorable pup. You should also know that it’s very difficult to get a good read on the future personality (not to mention size, coat, and activity level) of the adult dog from puppyhood. Those adorable balls of fluff can also be mischievous, defiant and destructive and go through a stage of rebellious adolescence where they need almost constant supervision. You should also consider the cost and time commitment of vet visits, home training, behavior training, and socialization.

In contrast, adult dogs have been through it all, so what you see is what you get. You may have little information about puppyhood and early life, but you’ll more than make up for it with the better attention span of an adult dog (making training easier), as well as more accurate reading the size and amount of molt. Your vet will also be able to better diagnose health problems in an adult, problems that cannot be foreseen in a puppy. Also, choosing an adult dog is a valuable service for good animals in need of a loving home. You’ll find some wonderful dogs at your local animal shelter or online at petfinder.com. Other good sources are your local pet classifieds column for many good, loving dogs that are “free to good homes.”

QUESTION #2: Purebred or Mestizo?

If you have your heart set on a particular breed or appearance, need to consider allergies or other health issues, or have a specific purpose in mind (a hunting companion or guard dog), then a purebred is probably the right choice. The American Kennel Club (online at http://www.akc.org) recognizes more than 150 different breeds and offers a great deal of information on each. Thoroughbreds come through generations of breeding to strengthen and refine special abilities so that tracking or retrieval abilities are far superior to those of the general dog population. The downside is that this can unknowingly pass on other less desirable traits or serious health issues as well.

Which breed is right for you and your family? Here’s a quick and easy test to do that might help you narrow down your options: http://www2.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm.

For many of us, a key factor driving our choice of breeds is cost. Mixed breed dogs are almost always more affordable than purebreds, though they do take more time and effort to find. You may want to start with your local animal shelter where dogs are brought in for a variety of different reasons and are examined by a vet and cared for until they can be adopted; some shelters even test dogs for behavior problems. To adopt a dog (puppy or adult) from the shelter, you will usually be asked to pay a small fee to cover the exams and the cost of neutering.

Rescue groups are another source of potential best friends. Here the dogs are placed in foster homes with an experienced and loving host family, so you’ll know a lot about each animal’s temperament and level of training. If you go this route, you should expect to complete some sort of application process, as well as undergo potential home visits and a somewhat lengthy screening process. If all of this seems too complicated, consider regularly checking the classifieds section of your local newspaper. You should also spread the word to family, friends, and co-workers. The more people know what you’re looking for, the better.

QUESTION #3: Big or small?

As you have done for age and breed, you need to give serious thought to the size of the dog you plan to bring into your home. Common sense might suggest that a large dog in a small apartment is not the best option, but these arrangements can be quite successful, if handled properly. Often, what really counts is not so much the size of the animal (or yours) but your ability to be in command and control at all times.

Beyond this, larger breeds tend to cost more: you’ll need to buy more food, larger cages, beds, and toys, not to mention a sturdier collar and leash. Vet bills for surgery or medications will be higher, and grooming will also cost more. Smaller breeds are more affordable, but have an (undeserved, but popular) reputation for being high-strung and agile, and can easily get into, unintentionally hurt, or go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of a busy household.

Answer, or at least think about, these questions and you’ll have a much better idea of ​​what you’re getting into. It’s not that you still can’t be swayed by a pair of big, confident eyes or a cute little face… but when that time comes, you’ll have a much better chance of making this new addition to your life a lasting one. .