4 Things You NEED to Know Before Adopting a Dog

Victoria Regan
Certified Master Trainer

Bringing a dog into your family is exciting, but there are a few really important things to think about before choosing your new four legged family member.

There is so much more to choosing the right dog than finding a breed you like or picking the cutest puppy. The right dog for you is one that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your expectations.

Here are 4 things I think every person should consider before bringing a dog home.

1. Breeder vs. Backyard Breeder vs. Rescue/SPCA

Where your dog comes from can have a huge impact on their health, temperament, and behaviour.

Registered CKC Breeders

Responsible breeders put a lot of time and money into producing healthy puppies. They health test their breeding dogs, provide proper veterinary care, and carefully consider temperament and genetics when choosing which dogs to breed.

A puppy from a reputable breeder can cost more upfront, but you are also paying for the work that has gone into producing a healthy, well raised puppy.

The Canadian Kennel Club is a great resource if you are looking for information about registered breeders and responsible breeding practices.

Backyard Breeders

Backyard breeding is very different from responsible breeding.

Just because someone has a litter of puppies does not mean they are a responsible breeder. Many backyard breeders do little or no health testing and may not be considering genetics, temperament, or the long term health of the puppies they produce.

Unfortunately, this can mean you end up with serious health or behaviour problems later on.

Rescue/SPCA

Rescue dogs can make absolutely wonderful pets, and there are so many amazing dogs looking for homes.

However, it is important to understand that you may not know everything about a rescue dog’s history. Some dogs may come with behavioural challenges, fear, anxiety, or a lack of training.

That does not mean they are bad dogs. It just means you need to be prepared to put in the work and potentially invest in training.

There is no single right answer for everyone when it comes to where you get your dog. The important thing is to understand what you are getting into and choose a dog that is actually a good fit for your family.

2. Lifestyle vs. Breed

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is choosing a dog based on how much they like the breed instead of whether the breed actually fits their lifestyle.

You might absolutely love Huskies, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, or another high energy breed, but that does not necessarily mean you should own one.

Activity Level

If you are an extremely active person and want a dog to go hiking, running, and adventuring with you, look for a breed that can actually keep up with that lifestyle.

On the other hand, if you prefer relaxing at home and taking a couple of shorter walks each day, a very high energy working breed may leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Work Life Balance

How much time will your dog actually spend alone?

If you work long hours and your dog will regularly be home alone for 8 to 10 hours, you need to seriously consider whether the breed and individual dog you choose can handle that lifestyle.

Some dogs need significantly more mental stimulation, exercise, and interaction than others.

Living Space

Living in an apartment does not automatically mean you cannot have a dog.

What matters more than the size of your home is the dog’s exercise needs, energy level, temperament, and ability to settle.

A large dog with lower exercise needs may actually be easier to live with in an apartment than a small, extremely high energy dog.

The goal is not to find the “best” breed.

The goal is to find the best dog for you.

3. Budget and Cost

A dog is a long term financial commitment.

It is easy to think about the initial cost of getting a dog, but there are many ongoing expenses that people sometimes forget about.

Initial Expenses

You need to consider things like the cost of the dog, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, food, a crate, bedding, toys, leash, collar, veterinary care, and training.

And yes, training should be part of your budget.

Ongoing Costs

Your expenses do not stop once you bring your dog home.

You will continue paying for food, veterinary appointments, parasite prevention, grooming if needed, toys, treats, and potentially medications or unexpected veterinary expenses.

Larger dogs can also cost more to feed and care for.

Training

Professional dog training is another expense that I strongly recommend planning for.

Training is not something you should only think about once your dog develops a problem.

Investing in training early gives you the tools to communicate with your dog, prevent problems, and build a strong relationship from the beginning.

You are going to have this dog for many years. Training is an investment in all of those years you are going to spend together.

4. Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is something I recommend looking into as soon as you bring your dog home.

You never know when an unexpected accident, illness, or emergency could happen, and veterinary care can become extremely expensive very quickly.

One of the most important things to understand about pet insurance is that pre existing conditions are generally not covered. That is why looking into insurance when your dog is young and healthy can be so important.

Make sure you actually read the policy and understand what is and is not covered.

Different insurance companies have different exclusions, deductibles, reimbursement options, and coverage limits.

Do your research and find the option that makes sense for you and your dog.

Choosing a Dog Is a Big Decision

Bringing a dog into your family should be exciting, but it is also a big commitment.

You are potentially bringing this dog into your life for the next 10 to 15 years or more.

That is a long time.

So before you fall in love with a puppy’s cute face, take some time to think about what your life actually looks like and what kind of dog will fit into it.

Think about where the dog comes from.

Think about their breed and temperament.

Think about your lifestyle.

Think about the financial commitment.

And think about whether you are prepared to invest the time into training and building a relationship with your dog.

The goal is not just to have a dog.

The goal is to have a dog that you can actually enjoy living with.

A dog that can go places with you.

A dog you can trust.

A dog that understands what you are asking.

A dog that has freedom because they have the skills to handle that freedom.

Choosing the right dog and investing in them from the beginning can make the difference between constantly feeling frustrated and restricted by your dog and genuinely enjoying the years you have together.

Do your research. Choose carefully. And remember that you are not just choosing a dog.

You are choosing a relationship that could last for the next 10 to 15 years.