This thread is aimed at giving advice to anyone thinking of getting a new puppy/ dog. It will cover areas suggested such as:
- How to choose a breed
- Where to get a dog (Rescue vs Breeder)
- How to find a reputable breeder in the case of pedigree dog
- How to spot a puppy farmer
- Costs of a dog
- Long term commitment required for the new addition to the family
- Length of time to leave a dog alone

Things to consider before getting a dog

Main early questions I would ask when someone is considering getting a dog:
- Do they have the time to dedicate to a pet? Your dog needs a walk every day. Not just on nice days - but the wet/windy bad weather days as well.
- Can you afford a dog?
- Have they future plans to have kids/more kids? Will they have the time and energy for their pet when a child arrives? Will they have the experience to socialise the pet with their child?
- Puppies cannot be left alone for 7hrs a day as they need to be fed 4 times a day from 8wks. If someone works 9-5 an older dog might better suit their needs and it takes extra commitment to spending time with the dog if you are away all day.
- Do you have any other pets? Does the dog need to get used to cats or other dogs?

Before getting a dog please understand the commitment required for the next 15years on average (with a pup anyways). The dog you get will grow up and require constant care,love,devotion and money!

A new dog can be hard work at times particularly a puppy. I would recommend them to be prepared to put out any notions of a cuddly little puppy who will behave perfectly and be instantly okay with every situation you put them into. They will pull on the lead, they will leave accidents on the floor, things will get chewed, people will have teeth marks left on their hands. When you most want that pup to behave in public, it will probably go bonkers and behave like a general tearaway.

Once you make your peace with that, things usually go very smoothly. And always keep in mind, that the harder it is to get a growing pup to do as you tell him, the more rewarding it is when they finally get it and they will respect you all the more because you stood your ground and insisted they follow through. So don't give up at the first hurdle.

How to choose a breed?

If you are not pushed on a breed please consider the rescue option as there are loads of fabulous dogs looking for homes.

Decide on what characteristics are important to you - good with kids/energy levels/personality traits. Check out common health problems with the breed. For example cavaliers would have typically be seen as lap dogs and are very popular but can have serious heart problems / cockers are very hyper and need lots of stimulation / beagles cannot be let off lead as their recall is notoriously bad / westies are traditionally not great with children but staffies are etc. Each breed has specific characteristics but obviously there will be exceptions.

However if there is a specific breed you have in mind please research research research. Go to pet shows and talk to the people who own the type of breed you have in mind. Google is your friend. Buy a breed specific book.

DO NOT just go onto to done deal and see a cute puppy and decide to buy it on Saturday!

Where to get a dog - Breeder vs Rescue

Alot of people aren't aware that puppies and pedigree dogs can be got from rescues. Pups as young as 8 weeks can be found in rescues. There are tons of pedigree dogs to be found in rescues particularly in the current environment where people have to emigrate unexpectedly and have lost jobs so cannot afford to keep the dogs.

Many people aren't aware that rescues and shelters are full of purebred dogs as well as cross bred dogs, and also if people are inexperienced if can be easy to buy a dog from a bad breeder but a rescue will health check, temperament check, vaccinate and neuter the dog before they adopt it out.

Rescues will generally be able to say if the dog is good with kids etc. The fees charged by rescues cover the vaccination, microchipping and neutering (if the dog is old enough) so you must expect to pay it, it will cost less than paying to get this done separately through your vet anyway. You can also expect to sign an agreement which says that you will get the dog neutered when old enough, and if you ever have to rehome, you will do so through the rescue.

There are many breed rescues which deal specifically with certain breeds. If I were after a pedigree I'd definitely check those first - definitely a cavalier rescue, westie rescue, husky rescue etc.

There seems to be an attitude in many quarters that a dog taken from a rescue will have behavioural problems, will be aggressive against people and other animals and overall is a lot of work. However this is not true as it is likely that the animal was a loved family pet where they could no longer afford it etc - not all dogs are dumped for aggression problems. Whereas a puppy is fresh and new and no hassle at all. There may be an attitude that with a rescue you're getting pre-owned or damaged goods? Rescues can have behavioural problems, but a pup from a breeder can be predisposed to similar traits so there is no guarantee with buying a pup that they will like kids for example.

The disadvantage of rescues is that they have tough rehoming criteria and may not rehome to a house where everyone works all day or where there is not a secure garden. Each rescue has their own set of rules so please check with the rescue directly if interested.
Most rescues do a home check, this is absolutely nothing to worry about. The person does not come to check how tidy or well decorated your house is . They will have a chat about how the dog will be looked after, how much time they will spend alone, how you will organise holidays, who your local vet is etc. They will check that everyone in the home is happy to get a dog and they will want to see your garden and check it's fully enclosed. This visit will usually help to match you up with a suitable dog for your home. All rescues have different rehoming criteria, different dogs to suit different situations etc so if you feel you may not pass a home check, but you would like to rescue, contact a few organisations and discuss your concerns.

Going straight to the pound is another option, but not one I'd recommend to anyone but those with some experience and who are happy to deal with potential problems.

Another point to note is when you choose a pup from a breeder you're buying an idea. Good breeders have waiting lists and you basically commit to "your" dog before it's even born. It is not possible to get a pup instantaneously from a good breeder as they also vet potential owners.

Obviously if you want to show your dog or need certain working characteristics buying from a breeder is the best option. Please see further posts on how to spot a backyard breeder (BYB) who are responsible for alot of unhealthy dogs with poor temperaments.

Whether you go to a breeder or a rescue, do not hand over money and leave with your new dog on the promise of papers/vaccination cert etc coming later. Insist on getting all paperwork when you collect the dog. If it's not there, collect the dog at a later date when the the paperwork is ready.

Cost of getting a dog. Please be aware that not all of these costs will be appliable and will depend on your particular set of circumstances and are also very dependant on where you are in the country as obviously Dublin will be more expensive.

Initial Costs
-Costs of acquiring the dog (either paying a breeder which could be anything or the fee to rescue centre generally around €150)
-Crate (if crate training) which most people do €80
-Bed €20
-Lead/collar for puppy €15
-Will need to buy an adult lead and collar at some stage – flexi leads are about €20. If the dog is a puller you might need to get a harness/dogmatic/halti (around €30)
-Bowls €10
-Lots and lots of blankets – I buy in Ikea/Penny’s/Dunnes when on sale
-Vaccinations – depends on how many sets as puppies need 3 doses before they are safe but generally around €40 per dose and the first set will probably be done by the breeder at 6weeks. They will need further doses at 8wks and final booster at 12wks and only then are they safe to bring out in public. Price also depends on your location.
-Microchipping €40 if not done by breeder or rescue
-Toys (kongs etc) - €40 in total for kongs/treat balls/pull toys etc
-Grooming equipment – depends on the breed of dog. The best piece of equipment I have is a €6 Slicker brush but some really long haired dogs that shed alot may require a furminator which could be up to €40
-Training classes – probably about €15 per class
-Behavourist – if you need a trainer to come to your house and do work with you it will usually be around €40 per hour
-Neutering/spaying – this depends on breed of dog , where you are located and is more expensive for females. My cocker female was €120 all in down the country. Some places quote less but charge extra for painkillers/Elizabethan collar etc. Male jack Russell would probably be around €100 in Dublin. A great dane male would be around €200 in Dublin.
-Outdoor kennel €120


Monthly costs
-Food - not going into whole spiel as depends on the size of the dog as to how much they eat and price depends on the quality of the food. There is a section in the General Tips sticky which will deal with food.
-Treats – bones/gravy bones and then banana/natural yoghurt etc for kong would roughly average about €20 per month
-Insurance – about €15 a month
-Dog walker – generally about €10 an hour
-Doggie daycare – generally about €20 a day depending on your location
-Wormer – about €7 every 3mths
-Flea Treatment – about €8 every 2mths

Annual costs
-Dog licence - €12.50
-Grooming – depends on the type of dog whether it needs to be groomed and how much. A cocker spaniel would be around €40
-Vaccinations – about €50 a year depending on your location
-Kennel Boarding for when you go on hols – about €15/€20 per night depending on your location

Please let me know if I have forgotten anything or have anything very wrong!

Great info carrickb2b! Fair play to you.

Think you have a lot covered. Just with regards to cost we spent a fortune before we even got Buddy! He was our 1st dog so we had nothing. We had to buy a kennel, bed, cushion for the bed, bowls, lead, name tag, toys, kong, blankets (like you Penneys is great, €3 blankets!).

Then when we got him we had to get his booster vaccination and a general health check at vets which was €60. Then he needed a groom and since Oct we've gotten him groomed 3 times and he's booked in again for 6th May. We also got 4 training sessions in the house (€20 per session) and we've been away a few times and have had to get him minded (we're lucky its same lady who groomed and trained him so he knows her well).

Then theres food to be bought (and its important to get a decent quality food) and regular worming tablets, unexpected trips to vet and so on.

Anyone considering a dog needs to be aware of the long term costs involved. In saying all that he's worth every penny!

Thanks SW will keep contributing when I get a chance but it does take a good bit of time!!

Puppies should stay with their mothers and littermates until they are least 8-10 weeks old.

Any younger than that is not healthy and can lead to behavioural and health problems.

When going to look at puppies be sure that you are shown the mother and father, particularly the mother. Watch out for breeders who are breeding more than 2/3 breeds - this can be a sign of a puppy farmer.

NEVER allow a seller to meet you with the puppies in their car - a reputable breeder will always expect that you will want to see what surroundings the puppies are being brought up in and will have no problem allowing you do so.

Check puppies eyes and coat to make sure no sign of infection/cold - skin irritations or mits/fleas. Check what jabs they've had. If a reputable breeder they will give you or at least show the veterinary records of what jabs the pup has been given.

Make an appointment with your own vet to fully examine the pup.

A reputable breeder will most likely give you some of what the pup has been eating to last you a couple of days. If not, be sure to take note, as if you start them on different food it can cause stomach upset.

Nest with their mother with puppies less than 9 weeks

very helpfull post