Consider what factors we might need to consider in choosing a family dog?

There are a number of factors that need to be considered when choosing a family dog; this paper aims to discuss some of the most common factors.

The factors that are to be considered have been grouped in the following heading and sub headings.

About the Dog.
This section discusses the factors relating to the actual dog that might need to come into play before purchasing a dog.

Breed – which breed, if any, will be chosen? The question of breed is down to the owner’s personal preference there are over 400 recognised breeds and an almost immeasurable amount of cross breeds and mongrels. Each breed varies in size and temperament. “With a little research, you can look into purebreds armed with clues about their temperaments and what they will look like as adults” [1] page 42.
Size – is the fully grown adult dog the right size considering the type of accommodation that is owned and other family members/pets that are already living there? For example a Great Danes or Bernese mountain dog will take up quite a lot of room, “[Great Dane are a] giant, almost horse-like breed [that] requires an owner who can provide it with the space it needs.”[2] page 17. However a Pug or other toy breed will not but smaller breeds tend to have more energy than larger dogs.
Temperament – What is the temperament of the dog/breed as this has in important factor on the family that the dog will be entering? For example Rottweilers are notoriously head strong and without good strong leadership they will dominate the family where as a Labrador or Retriever tend to be more laid back. All dogs have an individual temperament but certain breeds were bread for particular jobs therefore they are more likely to have that characteristic hard wired into them.
Age – The age of the dog is an important factor as a pup will need extra work that an older dog does not, however you are likely to have the young dog for longer and factors such as the life expectancy of the breed need to be considered.

About the Family/Individual.
This section reviews the factors that a family or individual will need to resolve before getting a dog.

Money – How much will the dog cost, initially and throughout its life. On average a the cost of a dog is £21,979 “The top dog when it comes to costs is the Great Dane, which chews up a total of £31,840 over its average 10-year life, well ahead of the second-placed Rottweiler at £24,340. For the more economically minded, the Jack Russell stands out, costing a mere £17,476 and – with an average life of 12 years” [3]
Exercise – How much exercise will the dog need and who is going to do it. All dogs need some degree of exercise. Most dogs with the exception of perhaps some of the Toy dogs need regular exercise; this means a walk of at least 45 mins each day. This can be a test to the modern busy family, but the benefits to both dog and human are immense.
Sex – Male or Female? Males and Females can be equally affectionate or aggressive and much depends on the nature and nurture of the animal.
Other Pets – Are there other pets in the home? Contrary to Tom and Jerry cartoons Dogs and Cats can live together very happily. Dogs take their lineage from the Wolf and the natural wild killing instinct of the wolf has been breed out to a degree therefore care must be taken when introducing a new dog to existing pets.
Time – Dogs are social animals and have faired well amongst humans for many years due to the fact that our families are similar (in their eyes) to the dog or wolf pack. The modern family has a different make up to that of our ancestors. With the exception of the farming communities many of us in the West no longer hunt or rear livestock (a traditional dog job) and most of us need to go to work and spend many hours out of the home. This can be distressing for a dog with a very limited concept of time. Consideration must be given to how much of the time the dog will be left alone.

Sources
Where to get your dog is a hotly debated subject. The sources of dog are wide and varied and each has its pros and cons.
Breeder – Breeders are an excellent source for puppies but less able to supply older dogs. There may also be a waiting list for puppies. Breeders may be well intentioned amateurs and usually have devotion and love of the breed. As with any industry there are rogue breeders, however, by checking the kennel club registration of the breeder and by meeting them and asking questions you can ascertain the motives of the breeder.
Puppy Farm – Puppy farms are organisations that breed puppies for sale. They have received bad press over the years, the new owner must take extra steps to ensure that the farm is of good quality and that the farm is regulated and licensed to breed and sell puppies.
Animal Shelter – Animal shelters are an excellent source of dogs, as these dogs are usually there because they have become lost from their previous owners or they were unable to look after them for some reason. Animal shelters are normally charitable organisations who work hard to help dogs in distress. Most shelters will perform some sort of background checks on you before releasing the dog into your care.
Friend/Relative – Friends or relatives are a good source of dogs as you will usually have a good history of the dog and they can provide help and advice. More often than not you can “borrow” the dog for short periods in order to see how you get along. This is very valuable particularly for people who have never owned a dog before or who have other family circumstances that might question dog ownership.
Stray – Strays can present problems as they may have health or behavioural problems, however, if these issues can be overcome giving a stray dog a home can be a rewarding experience for both dog and owner. The difficulty is that they may not, fortunately, readily available or easy to catch.

In summary this essay has only scratched the surface when it comes to the factors that need to be considered when choosing a family dog. Dogs come in a multitude of sizes and temperaments each with its own unique set of needs. Each home or family has its own set of issues to face when considering a dog and once the decision has been made there are many sources to find a dog.
The important thing is that the dog is likely to be with you for the next 10 or 12 years and the dog is going to be largely dependant of you for Food, Water, Shelter and affection. The question of dog ownership is similar to that of considering having a baby. I.e. can we afford it? And can we devote enough time?
Owning a dog is a rewarding experience with careful thought and planning both dog and owner will have many enjoyable years together.

References.
[1] The American animal hospital association encyclopedia [sic] of Dog health and care, Sally Bordwell, 1994, Hearst Books.
[2] The American animal hospital association encyclopedia [sic] of Dog health and care, Sally Bordwell, 1994, Hearst Books.
[3] Internet article, http://www.churchill.com/pressReleases/07032005.htm, 2005, Churchill insurance.