Do you love animals and are you thinking of adopting a dog? Sometimes, love is not enough! In this article, we'll help you consider all aspects before making this important decision. It's crucial to think about the time and financial constraints, as well as the responsibilities, before adopting a pet (for its lifetime).

What budget should you plan for dog care?

While love has no price, having a dog costs money! Beyond adoption fees, there are fixed costs and unexpected expenses to raise a healthy dog throughout its life (between 10 and 16 years). Consult the AMVQ's fact sheets on assessing the cost of raising a puppy and raising an adult dog in 2021.

Adoption fees

Of course, there's the cost of adoption, which varies widely from one place to another. Adopting a dog can cost approximately between $100 and $5,000 depending on the breeder, breed, shelter, the dog's age, or its health status.

Equipment and supplies

In the first year, you'll need to budget for equipment and dog accessories, such as a playpen, a crate, a bed or cushion, food and water bowls, a collar, a harness and leash, educational toys, etc.

Health expenses

If you adopt a puppy, you'll need to plan for its spaying or neutering. Unless you adopt from a shelter that includes the surgery costs in the adoption fees. Annual vet visits and vaccinations are also a predictable expense. Typically, dogs should receive monthly preventive treatment against internal and external parasites, as well as fleas and ticks. Finally, depending on the dog's breed and coat type, you need to plan for the cost of grooming services periodically (at least every season).

Food and treats

Every month, you need to buy food. There's a wide range of choices and value for money when it comes to dog food: dry, wet, raw, freeze-dried, etc. Buying treats is also something to plan for, as they will be very useful for training your puppy and rewarding your dog.

Vacations, constraints, and boarding

If you go on vacation, who will take care of your dog? You can entrust it to a loved one or use dog boarding services. Daily prices differ depending on the region and the kennels or daycare services.

Are you considering traveling with your dog? Think about the cost of transportation (plane ticket), accommodation and public transport constraints (pets allowed), additional cleaning fees applied when booking, etc.

Unexpected expenses (emergency fees)

When a dog is sick, veterinary fees can quickly add up. While some dog breeds are more prone to specific health problems, any dog can need care in case of an accident, illness, or injury. It's very difficult to predict a maximum budget in this kind of situation…

Regardless of your intentions for your dog, when it first comes home with you, it quickly becomes a member of the family. If it gets sick, there's a good chance you'll do everything you can to get it back to health – even go into debt.

How to choose the right dog?

Every dog is unique and has its own personality. To help you find the breed that best suits your lifestyle, rely on predispositions. There are hundreds of breeds and even more mixes, each offering different personality traits. Take the time to discuss with other family members and together determine the qualities you are looking for in a dog and the faults you want to avoid.

If you've never had a dog before, it might not be obvious what type of dog suits your lifestyle. So, here are some questions to guide your thinking.

Ask yourself the right questions before choosing a companion!

Should you adopt a puppy or an adult dog?

Adopting a puppy or an adult dog has advantages and disadvantages depending on your lifestyle, your experience with dogs, what you are looking for, and the challenges you are willing to take on.

On one hand, if a puppy needs house training, an adult dog may have other behaviors to correct. In both cases, adopting a dog requires a serious commitment of time and money. For a puppy, you will have to plan for spaying/neutering costs, while an adult dog may have other health problems related to age or its sometimes unknown past before coming to you.

Here's a clear comparison to help you decide:

Adopting a puppy

• It will need complete training (house-training, obedience, socialization, etc.).

• It's possible to shape its behavior from the start according to your environment and rules.

• Its energy level is very high and it needs a lot of stimulation.

• It needs to go out frequently to learn house-training.

• Its personality is developing, so it is unknown.

• Veterinary costs are higher at the beginning (vaccinations, sterilization, etc.).

• There are more risks of childhood diseases.

Adopting an adult dog

• The dog is often already trained (house-training, leash walking, basic commands).

• It may have already developed good habits or need to correct bad habits.

• Its energy level is often more stable.

• It is capable of holding it longer.

• Its character is already formed, so it is easier to assess at adoption.

• It may already be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed.

• There may be more age-related health problems.

• It has less time left to live depending on its age.

1. Is there a lot of activity at home?

If so, you'll want a gentle dog. In a family with young children, avoid small breeds that tend to bark and bite out of fear of being stepped on. If you live with elderly or disabled people, avoid large or boisterous dogs, as they might accidentally knock over someone who isn't steady on their feet.

2. What is your tolerance for pet hair?

Firstly, is there a family member who suffers from allergies? It is advisable to come into contact with dogs to find out before bringing one home.

Most other dogs shed, especially dogs with a double coat, like Chows and Akitas. This type of coat requires regular brushing. The advantage is that you can do it yourself! However, even with a good brushing routine, hair loss is inevitable and it can be messy in the house, on clothes, and on furniture.

Some dogs, such as poodles or new mixed breeds like Labradoodles or Goldendoodles, shed less, but they need more frequent professional grooming services. You need to consider the time and costs this entails.

3. How active will you be with the dog?

Your activity level is one of the most important points you need to consider before adopting a dog. A dog that gets enough exercise behaves much better in the house and is less prone to anxiety or destructive behaviors. All dogs need to move to be healthy, but some breeds require a higher or lower level of intensity.

If you are not very active or don't have much time, don't choose a dog that needs a lot of exercise, like a husky. On the contrary, if you run regularly and are looking for a companion for your outings, choose an active and enduring dog like a Pointer or a Border Collie.

4. Who will take care of the dog?

Even if children beg for a dog and promise to take care of it, the responsibility remains with the adults (and even if the child participates in the dog's routines, you must still supervise).

Don't forget that your children grow up and get older quickly... Depending on the age of your children, remember that the responsibility of taking care of a dog can last between 10 and 16 years. Where will they be in a few years (school, apartment, student job, etc.)? Will you be able to continue taking care of a pet?

5. How many hours will your dog be alone during the day?

Not only do dogs need to go outside to relieve themselves approximately every 8 hours (or more often when they are puppies, older, or sick dogs), but they can also suffer from loneliness, anxiety, and depression. It may be that from time to time you don't have time to take your dog out; you might need to hire someone for walks or take it to daycare. If you never have time, think twice before committing.

6. Do you have other animals at home?

Some dogs and cats do not tolerate the presence of a new animal in the home. Make sure you know the predispositions of the animal you already live with before committing to a newcomer.

7. Is your home suitable for a pet?

If you live in an apartment, does your landlord allow pets inside?

Larger dogs, like Labradors and Border Collies, need a lot of space to run and play, especially when they are young, while some small dogs are very vocal and could bother neighbors. Size is not always a good indicator of energy level. For example, energetic small dogs from the terrier family (like Jack Russells) are not necessarily suited for apartment living.

Alternatives to adopting a dog

If you love dogs but don't have the means, time, or energy to care for one full-time, there are other ways to spend time with them. Here are some alternatives for pleasant experiences with dogs, without a long-term commitment.

Walk neighborhood dogs

Do you have neighbors with a dog? You could offer your time to walk their dog or look after it while they're away.

Volunteer at shelters

Since dogs waiting to find a family need to socialize and exercise, most shelters look for volunteers to care for the animals or to help at adoption events. Dogs available for adoption need exercise and contact with humans.

Become a foster family

You can apply to some shelters to temporarily host a dog in your home until it finds its new permanent home.

Board dogs at your home

You can offer to house-sit dogs for owners you know while they are away or on vacation. There are even pet-sitting apps to facilitate these paid services!

Adopting a pet: an important decision!

If you choose to adopt a dog after careful consideration, congratulations! You are embarking on a beautiful long-term relationship that will bring its share of love and challenges. Visit your neighborhood pet store to start preparing before the arrival of your new companion!

If you love animals very much, but realize that you are not financially able or do not have enough time to dedicate to a dog, you can always explore alternative solutions to fulfill your need for canine love!