- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
“Should I get a dog?” Five words many animal lovers will likely ask themselves at some point. At Rover, we’re huge fans of the pups in our lives. But we also recognize that many things need to line up before getting a dog.
If you are in a position to bring home a new furry family member, we’ve outlined a lot of helpful advice below. In it, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of dog guardianship and the responsibilities and costs that come with it. We’ll also explore whether or not certain dogs are better than others for first-time pet parents.
To help us out, we consulted a pet adoption professional with over 10 years of experience helping rescue dogs find their prospective pet parents. Here’s what we discovered.
The Pros: Why You Should Consider Getting A Dog
First things first—is it a good idea to get a dog? If you’re in a position where you can, there are plenty of reasons why you should get a dog. Here are just a few:
- Unconditional love and companionship
- Emotional support
- Routine and structure
- A new friend (and dog friends)
- A sense of protection
Courtney Bellew, the founder of Special Needs Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation (SNARR) Northeast and HUB Veterinary Group, sums it up nicely: “Dogs provide love, companionship, and even entertainment at times. They can help motivate people, keep you on a schedule, and are wonderful emotional support.”
On the scientific side, interacting with a dog releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone, which helps create a bond between you and your dog, alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation. Research also shows that dogs can provide a major boost to our mental health, reducing feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety.
The oxytocin plays a part in this, but there’s something to be said for the routine and sense of purpose caring for a dog offers. Plus, having a dog by your side can make it easier to connect with other humans, too.
While there’s some debate as to whether having a dog protects your home, recent studies have shown that crime is lower in areas with a lot of dogs. This correlation is not necessarily because of the dogs themselves but rather the activity associated with dog guardianship. Pet parents are likelier to be out and about in the neighborhood, interacting with others while walking their dogs. These interactions are key to building a sense of community, trust, and greater surveillance in the neighborhood.
The Cons: Why You Might Not Want To Get a Dog
So what’s the downside of having a dog? Here are a few reasons why you might not want to get a dog:
- Money
- Time
- Health (yours and theirs)
- Housing
- Lifestyle
We won’t sugarcoat it: having a dog can be expensive. If you’re not financially prepared, unexpected health or behavioral issues can create a significant financial burden.
Similarly, meeting a dog’s needs can take up a lot of your time, depending on the breed and energy levels. Your life will change, and you’ll have to make some compromises, like coming home early to let your dog out—especially if you have a puppy.
Your health and that of your family members can also determine if and when you should get a dog. Allergies, mobility issues, and other medical concerns can make caring for a dog challenging—especially a young, rambunctious pup. Some dogs will also need specific living situations that could, in some instances, force you to move.
The bottom line? In order to get a dog, you’ll need a good mix of financial stability and schedule flexibility.
Andyborodaty via iStock
What You Need To Be Able To Get a Dog
According to Bellew, balance is key when weighing the pros and cons of dog guardianship. “I don’t really want to refer to the challenges of owning a dog as cons,” she says. “They are not cons if you have thought things through and are prepared. But you do need to know that dogs come with financial and commitment responsibilities.”
Below we’ve listed what you’ll need to meet those responsibilities and help your new dog thrive.
Money—save more than you think you’ll need
Financial planning is crucial when considering a dog. As a responsible pet parent, you’ll want to ensure you have enough money to cover your pup’s needs. Our Cost of Dog Parenthood report estimates monthly expenses of $80 to $440 to care for your furry friend. For first-time dog guardians, the initial costs are even higher, with an average of $4,565 for the first year.
“Many people don’t realize the actual cost of veterinary bills, food, toys and supplies, a dog walker if needed, etc.,” says Bellew. “Things add up quickly, and dogs do require daily and ongoing care.”
There are also extra “start-up” costs when adopting a new pet. For instance, many shelters charge fees for adopting a dog, and the cost of getting a dog from a breeder is much higher. Basic supplies like a bed, collar, and food can add up quickly. That’s even before the fun things like toys and treats.
For first-time dog guardians, training classes can go a long way in teaching your pup—and you—the basics of behavior. If you work away from home or travel frequently, you might also consider spending a little extra on services like boarding and pet sitting.
Vet bills are, of course, another major expense to consider. Keeping your pup up-to-date on their vaccinations and examinations doesn’t come cheap—and that’s assuming everything stays routine. In the event of an emergency, your vet bills could quickly climb into the thousands.
There are, however, things you can do to offset costs. For instance, Bellew recommends new dog parents get pet insurance to help protect against huge vet bills. Feeding your dog quality food and scheduling regular check-ups can also help them stay healthy.
Before you even get a dog, it’s a good idea to save up for the first year of expenses and keep your funds in a high-yield account to accrue interest on what you don’t spend. And when it comes to training, online dog training and in-person group classes are often more affordable.
Time—budget at least one to two hours per day for your dog
While age, energy levels, health, and breed-specific needs are all things to consider, most adult dogs need at least two or three hours of attention each day. This may involve making sure your dog gets exercise, feeding them, tending to their grooming needs, training, or providing enrichment. The bottom line is that it’s time actively spent engaging with your dog.
Puppies, though, will need much more attention. Expect to spend around four to five hours actively caring for your pup each day as you clean, feed, potty train, exercise, enrich, socialize, exercise, and teach them foundational training skills. But it will pay off in the long run. “When you first bring a dog or puppy home, they require extra care, attention, and training,” Bellew emphasizes. “Dogs thrive with people around and having lots of time to bond with their humans. The most well-balanced dogs we see at HUB Veterinary Group are those who get lots of exercise and attention.”
If this seems like a lot, the good news is there are ways to break the time into chunks to make it more manageable. For example, you can squeeze in fun mini-training or play sessions throughout the day, like when you’re making coffee or folding laundry. Combining your own exercise with your dog’s can also be a fun way to bond and spend time together—run together, learn how to skijor, or take the whole family to the park to get the zoomies out.
With some clever scheduling, even young or busy pet parents can make time for a dog. For example, when pressed for time, taking your dog to doggy daycare or hiring a dog walker can ensure your dog’s social and physical needs are met. Hiring a trainer to come to your house to do day sessions or dropping your pup off for a playdate are also effective ways to free up some extra time.
gorodenkoff via iStock
Compatible space—consider eligible breeds
Where you live can also impact whether getting a dog is a good idea. Some breeds require specific housing situations, which you may or may not currently have. For instance, herding and high-drive dogs will likely benefit from having a large yard or living near a big outdoor space. And while we personally love the mournful cry of Beagles and other hounds, these breeds may cause disturbances to your neighbors if you live in an apartment, condo, or townhouse.
If you rent, your landlord might also not allow pets or have certain breed restrictions. Even if your current rental allows dogs of all kinds, your next rental might not—so i’s important to keep your future housing situation in mind.
Long-term plan
A dog is no brief commitment, with the average lifespan of a medium-sized dog being 10 to 13 years. As such, timing is everything when knowing when you should get a dog. What do your long-term goals and plans look like, and does having a dog seem feasible next to them?
For example, if you’ve always dreamed of working remotely and traveling the world, you might want to reconsider adopting a pup. Conversely, if you just bought a new home and have more stability, getting a dog could be an exciting addition to your family (with some breeds being better for kids than others).
That said, there’s no “perfect time” to adopt a dog, so trust your instincts, and go with what you think would work best for your lifestyle.
Puppy or Adult? Which Is Better?
Just as there’s no perfect time to adopt a dog, there’s no perfect age to adopt either. Bellew says it really boils down to your individual preferences and lifestyle.
“My best advice is to adopt a dog you feel connected to and that you have the time to commit to,” she explains. “Puppies can be a lot more work than an adult dog, requiring more walks and exercise, and the challenges of house training, chewing, etc.”
She also acknowledges—and alleviates—the concerns that some prospective pet parents may have about taking in an older dog.
“Many people feel when they adopt an adult dog, they might be getting a dog with issues or problems. They feel if they raise a puppy, they have more control over their behaviors,” she says. “While this is true to a point, we always try to explain to our clients at HUB that puppies change a lot and the personality you see when they are babies is not always the same as what they grow up to be. When you adopt an adult dog, you can have better insight as to who they already are.”
The same logic applies to choosing a breed or gender. While these characteristics will likely influence your dog’s personality and behavior in some way, every dog is unique. Your decision should ultimately be based on the specific dog you’re considering.
When Is the Best Time To Get a Dog?
The best time to get a dog or a puppy is when you have the money, time, and housing to support a dog—plus a long-term plan that ensures you’ll continue to have enough of all of those things for the rest of your dog’s life.
Once those things are in place, you can start to think about other factors, like the season. Many dog parents prefer to get a dog in the spring or summer, when the weather is good and it’s easy to get a new pup plenty of exercise. Others prefer to sync the arrival of a new friend with the winter holidays or the new year.
Remember, though, that if you’re giving a puppy as a holiday gift, skip the surprise and make sure that all family members are on board.
It’s also a good idea to take into account how you plan to get a dog. If you opt for a breeder, you’re potentially looking at a wait of several months or more. If you go the rescue route, you might need to put in several applications before you find a good fit. The bottom line is to build flexibility into your timeline and make sure you can handle a several-month window for your new friend’s arrival.
Am I Ready?
So, should you get a dog? While only you can know for sure, a few things may determine whether you’re ready or if the timing is right. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you’re still on the fence:
- Can I afford a dog?
- Do I have the time and energy?
- Does my current health or the health of my family members allow me to have a dog?
- Is my lifestyle conducive to having a dog?
- Does my current living situation/household allow me to have a dog?
- Does getting a dog align with both my short-term and long-term life plan?
- Is my partner or family on board with sharing the work of a dog?
If you said yes or can make reasonable accommodations in any of these areas, you might be ready to get a dog or puppy—or very close to it. If you said no, it’s okay to wait, too, especially if you have concerns or hesitations. When the time is truly right to adopt a dog, you’ll know.
