Helen@helshounds.co.uk +44(0)7356 072133
So… you think you want a dog?
Hel’s Hounds
It would be remiss of me to unquestioningly encourage everyone to get a dog, regardless of their situation. Not everyone is in the position to get a dog, no matter how much they might want one. But fear not… there are plenty of rescue organisations out there who need volunteers to help out! You can still get involved with dog's lives and help out those who need some love the most.
So what do I need to consider?
Well, apart from the obvious, roughly 12-year commitment of a dog. You must be prepared for the cost, in 2023, the cost of a dog was roughly £2000 per year! That makes a total cost of £24000 over a 12-year lifetime. Potentially even more.
For example, Meg (I talk about her on my about me page) was diagnosed with a thyroid carcinoma that spread throughout her abdomen. A short course of radiation for her cost £4000 for 4 sessions in 2017, and that was before any additional meds and checkups. Even with insurance, it wasn't all covered.
And just before Christmas 2023, Isaac took ill. We weren’t sure of the cause but eventually discovered an abdominal tumour and pneumonia. The cost of this was over £3000 In only around 24-36 hours. Of course, these are worst-case scenarios.
There are many more considerations besides the monetary: the poo, the wee, what are you going to do with a dog while you are at work? What are you going to do if you need a trainer? Which vet will you use? To neuter or not to neuter (always neuter). What are you going to feed them? Will they get on with other pets in the household? Do you have time to give them the exercise they need? Do their needs fit your routine and lifestyle?
I still want a dog… now what?
The next question is where are you going to get the dog from?
I personally would always advocate adoption over shopping for a puppy.
Did you know that around 85% of dogs in shelters are purebred?
There are also some breed-specific rescues.
Tips on avoiding scams and puppy farms!
Ok, so you have your heart set on a specific breed or desperately want a puppy? You have decided to buy a dog for whatever reason.
Now, you must be very careful to ensure you get the healthiest puppy you can from the best home possible. After all, no one wants to support a puppy farm, even inadvertently.
Always remember the golden rule: do not get invested before you meet the puppy, and do not be afraid to walk away.
If something feels off then walk away, do not risk it. Too many sick puppies are brought into homes because people feel pressured, and too many of these puppies subsequently die.
Phone the RSPCA and the Police. That may be the best thing you can do for all the dogs involved.
You may take home that one pup and give them a great home, you might know that you can afford the vet bills if they turn out to have parvo and know that you will be able to nurse them through, but what about the rest of the pups? What kind of home are they going to? The breeders clearly don’t care. Let the authorities get involved and get all the dogs out.
1) Carefully check the details provided by the breeder, check that any addresses are real, examine photos (I recently saw a new puppy family who told me of a breeder who sent photo’s of puppies with US plugs in the background while we are in the UK!)
2) Look around; a breeder advertising litters of dogs of different breeds can be a red flag.
3) Always check dates on paperwork/ vaccination records (again, I have heard stories of puppies apparently being vaccinated before they were born!)
4) A good breeder will want to know a lot about you and the home you can provide for the pup. They will ask you lots of questions.
5) Good and ethical breeders will often try to stay in touch. If one of their puppies becomes homeless, they will try to help rehome them or will try to take them back in often.
Green flags when you meet a breeder can include:
- Them wanting to know a lot about you
- Confident, bright puppies
- Paperwork that is correctly filled in (vaccination and microchip records with the correct dates and stickers)
- Parents that can be seen, met and interacted with
- Breeders who want to keep in touch
- Breeders who are happy to show you around the pup's living area
When you go to the property to meet the litter or pick up your pup, red flags can include
- The pups being without mum and/ or dad
- The pups seem unsure of the environment
- Dirty pups
- Pups appear to be unsure of the people around them
- The breeders seem uninterested in you
- Breeders arrange to meet in public (i.e. a motorway services or park) to deliver the pup.
- There seems to be an excessive amount of dogs on the property.
- Any signs of illness in the pups, such as diarrhoea or vomit on the floor or stool in the pup's fur.
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