Gifts. They’re something the recipient needs or wants or something you want them to have. Maybe the point is to create a “WOW!” moment. Some gifts require a level of knowledge and responsibility on the part of the recipient. Children’s gifts have age limits. A car requires registration, inspections, insurance, and maintenance.
What if the gift is a furry being — a pet? Can the recipient handle the long-term responsibilities of caring for a living, breathing animal? Do they even want to?
People sometimes give rabbits as Easter gifts. They fulfill the “WOW!” moment, but pet recipients often cannot or will not take on the long-term responsibility. It can happen with “gift” dogs, too.
Having a dog means a commitment of love, care, and maintenance for their entire life — usually 10 to 15 years. Getting a dog involves a list of important decisions, such as the type of dog, adoption or buying, puppy or adult dog, and more. Ultimately, you’re deciding the future of a beautiful creature, and it will affect the lives of everyone in the home.
Giving a dog as a gift takes decisions away from the recipient, which can end with a dog heading back to a shelter. So let’s take a closer look at some of those decisions and alternatives that keep the gift-giving aspect without risking a bad match between a dog and the potential pet parent.
What Kind of Dog Should You Get?
Getting a dog is a matter of matching the pet to your lifestyle. If you love hiking and outdoor activities, you need an energetic dog that can do these things with you. But if you love sitting in front of the television binging multi-season drama series, a low-energy dog will be more up your alley.
Here are some factors to consider before settling on a particular dog or breed:
- Why do you want a dog?
- How many people live in your home? How many of them are children? Babies? Adults? Seniors?
- How much time will you spend with and away from the dog?
- How often can you take the dog with you?
- Will you arrange for someone to care for the dog in your absence (e.g., a pet sitter or walker, doggy daycare)?
- Are your favorite activities dog-friendly?
- How active are you? Physical activities? Quiet indoor hobbies?
- What kind of home do you have (e.g., house, townhouse, apartment, condo)? How big or small is it?
- Do you have a fenced-in backyard where the dog can roam around and play unleashed?
- What is your budget for dog-related expenses?
After you’ve taken inventory of yourself and others in the home, you can look for dogs that best match your profile.
Think Through the Main Dog Characteristics Before Making a Decision
Here are examples of dog characteristics to consider in your decision-making process:
- Size: Dogs range from a 5-pound Yorkie to a 200-pound Mastiff. Size is a significant factor regarding the pet food bill, appropriate activities, and controlling the dog in public.
- Age: Puppies and young adult dogs are higher-energy and are still learning how to live and act in your home. Older dogs have slowed down and may also be dealing with medical issues.
- Energy Levels: Some dogs are high-energy. While all dogs need exercise, these dogs need more than some dog parents can provide.
- Instincts: Because dogs have been bred over the centuries, some dogs will dig holes in the yard, chase anything that moves, get very chatty and loud, or herd your children. Some are easy to train, while others are independent and stubborn.
Add to this list anything important to your lifestyle. Don’t choose a dog based on their looks or the current popularity of the breed.
Where Will Your Dog Come From?
A Few Dog Statistics
Every year in the United States, about 3.1 million dogs enter shelters. About 2 million are adopted, and 390,000 are euthanized. Of all the dogs taken in as pets, 34% are purchased from breeders, and 23% are adopted from shelters. Other sources include friends and family, people posting ads, and strays.
Adopting From a Shelter
There are millions of pets in shelters waiting for a forever home! The dogs are often already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. And there are so many types of dogs, often mixed breeds, to choose from!
Adoption saves dogs’ lives, as overcrowded shelters may euthanize some dogs. In addition, the adoption fees are much lower than the cost of buying from a breeder.
However, adopting a dog requires caution, as you might get little information about the dog’s history. They may have been abused, traumatized, or have medical issues, and their lineage may be a mystery.
Buying From a Breeder
Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder means you know what you’re getting — breed, expected temperament, and adult size. The puppy is healthy and will have spent enough time with their mother. Breeders do not sell puppies online or ship a dog after taking your credit card information. In addition, they do not sell puppies to pet stores.
Reputable breeders do not rush into a sale; they take the time to ensure the healthy puppy settles into a good home. Make sure you know what it takes to care for the puppy’s specific breed.
Unfortunately, there are irresponsible breeders out there, too. To find a reputable breeder, get referrals from veterinarians, groomers, trainers, or other professionals.
Puppy or Adult Dog?
Who doesn’t love a cute, cuddly puppy? But beyond the cuteness hides the reality of the extra care a puppy requires. On the one hand, you have a blank slate and have to train the pup from the start to behave the way you want. They will make mistakes along the way, some of which you need to clean off the carpet. But they don’t have past traumas to overcome or bad habits to lose.
Adult dogs often come equipped with some training — basic commands and potty training. Their personality is formed, and they have reached their full size, so you know what you’re getting. Unfortunately, some dogs also come with past traumas and bad habits you’ll have to overcome.
The Cost of Having a Dog
Adopting a dog from a shelter costs somewhere between $50 and $300 in fees. The average cost of buying a dog from a breeder is $1,300. About 80% of breeder dogs cost between $500 and $2,500.
Each year, expenses can add up to between $1,500 and $9,000, depending on variables, such as the dog’s size (a Chihuahua sure eats a lot less than a Mastiff!). These expenses include food and treats, regular and emergency medical care, leashes and collars, food bowls, toys, grooming equipment, and beds. Pet insurance, a relatively new expense, is also available. In 2019 alone, the industry made close to $1.71 billion!
Rethinking the Gift Idea
With all the decisions required when getting a pet, there are better options to consider than a dog as a surprise gift. This is especially true during the excitement of a major holiday.
Instead of presenting a new pet to a recipient who didn’t think through critical decisions, consider an alternative, like a gift basket with pet accessories, a gift card for the shelter adoption fee, or a book or video about dog care or training.
Let the recipient make their decisions in their own time. Do they need help? Have them contact us at K9 Basics. Our professional trainers have the knowledge to help them get the right dog from the right place. They will have a much better chance of building that long-term relationship we all want between the pet parent and a healthy, happy dog!
Give us a call at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our dog training services. Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!
References
- “How to Choose the Right Dog Breed: 6 Factors to Consider – 2023.” MasterClass, www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-dog-breed. Accessed 26 Dec. 2022.
- “Pet Statistics.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics. Accessed 26 Dec. 2022.
- Vuckovic, Angela. “How to Adopt a Dog: Process, What to Expect and How to Prepare.” Petfeed – Pet Care Tips, How-to Guides, Funny Stories, Comics, and Videos, Petfeed – Pet Care Tips, How-to Guides, Funny Stories, Comics, and Videos, 18 May 2022, petcube.com/blog/how-to-adopt-a-dog/amp/. Accessed 26 Dec. 2022.