Without a doubt, one of the most popular animals to have as a pet in the UK is a dog, but would you know what to think about when deciding which dog to choose, and would you know what equipment you need and how to care for it? Here are some of the things you need to consider.
According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, there are nine million dogs in the UK, making dogs the most popular pet after fish. However, getting a dog isn’t something that should be entered into lightly, and there are lots of things that you will need to consider to make sure that you have the time and space to bring a dog into your family home.
Choosing the Dog
The main thing to decide when choosing the dog is which breed you want to get. When making this decision, you will need to contemplate the fully grown size of the dog, the size of your property and whether you have any children at home. It is also important to consider how often they will need exercising and whether there is anybody at home during the day. The cost of keeping a dog is also something to think about. Not only are there the day-to-day costs of feeding and equipment, but you will also need to think about how you will pay for the dog to be treated by a vet should you require one and the cost of all important pet insurance. If your dog should become ill or have an accident the vets bills can soon mount up and pet insurance will help to take some of this burden away.
Equipment and Services You Will Need
There are several pieces of equipment you will need, such as a lead, dog bed and food and water bowls and some Healthy Dog Treats. You may also want to purchase some toys which will keep your dog amused. You will need the services of a vet and may want to take out pet insurance to cover this. You may also require a dog grooming service. The Mirror recently reported on a dog grooming competition where owners groom their pets to look like film stars. However, if you want more traditional grooming, you should consider a professional dog groomer.
Hopefully, this has shown that there are many things to consider when choosing a dog. It is important to think about getting a dog very carefully so that you don’t end up in a position where you will need to find the dog an alternative home.