5 Surprising Questions You Should ALWAYS Ask Yourself Before Getting a New Dog

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What Type of Dog is Right For You? 

Choosing the right canine companion is a huge decision—and one that many pet owners don’t really make on purpose. Sometimes the perfect pup just shows up in our lives (it’s happened to me, too). But if you’re in the early stages of searching for your next dog, taking a little time to reflect on what works for you can make a world of difference for both you and your future best friend.

This post is adapted from my upcoming ebook, “The Ultimate Dog: A Vet’s Guide to Life-Long Canine Wellness,” which is set to launch in late-August.

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Here are 5 Questions you Should Ask Yourself Before Getting Your Next Dog: 

Question 1: What is my Budget: 

Alright, so this may seem like an odd question at first glance. What does budget have to do with which dog you should choose?

This question is the best starting point, for a few reasons.

• First, you should consider the cost of the animal you are adopting.
• Secondly, you should consider the cost of the initial preventative care needs, as well as any long-term costs you should expect. 

One Popular Example:

If you LOVE French bulldogs (and I agree, they are super cute and funny) and really want to adopt one, you should consider that because of their breeding they are very expensive to purchase:

• the average French bulldog puppy runs $3000 on the lower end, up to $20,000 for special colors or unique genetics.
• A puppy will need full preventative care in her first year of life; including puppy shots, parasites prevention, and a spay procedure.
• Because of breed, the puppy may need an additional surgery to help their airway with a boarded surgeon, and are more prone to life-long airway, joint, and dermatologic issues.
  
  So, if you love French bulldogs, but only have a few hundred dollars to get started, perhaps you should consider other options. 

A more “budget friendly” option would be to adopt an adult dog from a rescue or a shelter. Often, adult dogs at a shelter have had complete veterinary care including most vaccinations and their sterilization procedure, so you will only need to finance ongoing preventative care and won’t be hit by as much cost up front.

Note: Adoption fees at shelters vary greatly- they can range from $60 on mixed-breed dogs at high volume county shelters to several hundred dollars at specialty rescues. 

Another thing to consider is the size of the pet. Often, veterinary medications are dosed based on weight. Because of this, a very large patient can be expected to need a much higher dosage of medications than very small patients; think of a 5-pound toy chihuahua against a 100-pound great dane. The dane will likely need twenty times as much medication as the chihuahua. In some cases, like generic antibiotics, the cost difference may be negligible. However, other drugs including anesthesia, monoclonal antibiotic injections, pain medications, injectable medications, and parasite preventions, the cost may be astronomically higher.

In many cases, a larger dog can lead to larger veterinary costs. 

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P.S. When adopting a new pet, you should consider pet insurance, especially if the pet is purebred or prone to issues. Read the policy carefully for exclusions on illnesses, accidents, or “congenital” problems, and get the insurance on day 1 of pet ownership, before your pet develops any pre-existing conditions.

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Question 2: What is my activity level?

I cannot tell you how many times I have had an owner in a consultation room, begging me for anxiety medication because their high-energy dog (like a young labrador, german shepherd, or belgian malinois, or husky) is “anxious all the time.”

When I ask how much exercise they are getting, the owners usually respond with “well, they have a yard to run around in.” 

I have a treadmill in my basement, but that doesn’t mean I exercise as often as I should!

Dogs are the same way. Most dogs will not get adequate exercise unless they are encouraged to do so- usually with or by the owner. 

If you are a couch potato, you should consider a laid-back breed that doesn’t need a ton of exercise. Think toy breeds, bulldogs, and mastiffs. If you really want a husky, but you live in an apartment and detest physical activity, you should perhaps reconsider- they were literally bred to pull sleds across the arctic! 

Although I do recommend that ALL dogs get exercise every day, it is important to think about how much exercise you will be able to give them- and be realistic, not aspirational.

Will you be able to provide moderate activity, like 1-2 shorter walks daily, and longer walks a few times a week? Do you run every single day and want a running partner? Or are you only up for tossing the ball around or playing with your dog for a few minutes every day? 

No matter your activity level, there is likely a perfect dog for you! But make sure your fitness level and goals align with the dog you get. 

Question 3: Do I have any other pets? 

Note: ANY breed of dog can be friendly with any person, cat, dog or other pet. But there are some types of dogs that are bred specifically not to be friendly with certain pets.

• Jack Russel Terrier? Probably can’t live with a house rabbit
• Sighthounds? Are likely going to chase cats
• Huskies? Keep them away from you back yard chickens

Apart from breed, there is the individual to consider. Most shelters or rescues take the time to test their dogs around other animals – large dogs, small dogs, and sometimes even cats.

If you’re unsure about bringing a specific dog into your home because of other animals, it is best to ask the shelter or rescue representative their opinions to help you navigate the transition. They may be able to offer a trial period or a meet and greet at the shelter!

Question 4: Am I willing to maintain a long coat? 

At one of my previous jobs as an associate, I was giving a beautiful golden doodle puppy it’s last set of vaccinations. “Now you can schedule his first grooming appointment!” I proudly stated, as the puppy was very cute but was very shaggy. The owner scoffed. “I don’t know if we’re going to do all that grooming stuff.” 

Unfortunately, with many breeds, grooming is NOT optional!

This is especially true for dogs with thick, curly coats (such as poodles and their crosses), or dense undercoats. 

All dogs need some basic coat care including bathing as needed. Some breeds with excessive skin folds (even if they have short hair) may need daily wiping or medication on the skin folds. Medium, thick hair will need occasional brushing and deshedding. Longer hair or curly dogs will need regular grooming, likely every 6 – 8 weeks depending on the breed. 

If you don’t want to have your pet groomed regularly, and don’t have the ability or knowledge to do it yourself, I recommend that you get a short haired pet that does not have excessive skin folds- think labradors, boxers, or pittie-type mixes.

Question 5: How many years do I want to spend with this pet?

This one is a bit of a sad one, but one we should take time to consider.

Unfortunately, some of the larger breeds (such as great danes and mastiffs) tend to have a shorter lifespan than our smaller friends. You should research and consider average lifespan, as well as the propensity for severe juvenile diseases, when looking into your next pet. 

You should also consider this when you are adopting an adult or senior dog. Adopting a senior pet is a wonderful thing to do, and I wish that more people would do it. However, if you think it is possible that you will be severely depressed after your pet passes away (as a lot of us are, no judgement here), it may be wise to adopt a younger pet so that you can have more time together. 

I know that most often the answer to this question is “as many years as possible.” The biggest downside of our canine companions is that their lives are tragically short. Because of that, I don’t want you to answer this question in a literal sense. Instead, consider if the “trade off” of fewer years with the pet (and the potential pain that may bring) is worth it when compared with the joy that this pet will bring you.  

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Every dog deserves a loving home—and every pet owner deserves a companion they can truly enjoy for years to come. By thinking through these five questions, you’ll not only make a more informed decision, but you’ll also set yourself and your future dog up for success.

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