New Owner Advice 

Breed
Carefully consider the breed of the dog you want to bring into your home, different breeds come with different needs such as level of exercise and if you have read this site, you are familiar with threshold levels. We can generalize characteristics within different breeds but as a good guide only, every dog is uniquely different. So, bear in mind if you think of getting a dog the same breed as someone you know do not expect the dog to be exactly the same with the same temperament as your friend’s dog.

Time
This consideration in some capacity goes in hand with choosing the right breed for you. All dogs need a minimum of two walks a day ideally three. The length and energy required for exercising your dog will vary by breed hence the importance of choosing the correct breed for your lifestyle. The next consideration is who will care for the dog when you’re at work or another event. A dog should not be left home alone for more than four hours a day.

Cost
Depending on your financial position pet insurance is an essential policy to have should your dog become ill or suffer a lifelong condition of which there are many costly variants. It is a mistake to believe if you have insurance, you are completely covered. A minor ailment such as a bout of diarrhoea (which needs a vets visit if it carries on for 48 hours) could cost at least £100 and much more if it doesn’t clear up straight away, most pet insurances will have an ‘excess’ amount and you often can’t even claim. So, you need to be sure you have the disposable income to cover these eventualities.
 
Where to get a Dog
DO NOT BUY ONLINE
If your choice is a puppy from a breeder, go to a registered breeder, meet the mother establish how many litters the mother has had, the dog will have better health if from the first or second litter. A good way of identifying a good breeder is how many questions they ask you!!
Another choice could be a rescue dog, this is very much worth consideration as not all rescue dogs have behavioural issues, so if this is your first dog the advantage to rescue is the guidance from the professionals as to the right canine fit for your family, and ongoing support. 

Commitment
Remember this is a commitment for the next 15 to 18 years, think of it like having a child. 

Care plan for an old dog?
This is also part of the commitment consideration, caring for an elderly dog can be time consuming and costly. For example, arthritis can mean adaptations to your home such as removing any hard wood flooring that is difficult for paws, in advance stages you may need lifting harnesses, car ramps and so on. Furthermore, you may find your elderly dog can no longer be left home alone.

If you feel you can confidently manage all the above, then you will find a dog a much loved and important member of your family.