Getting a dog can be very exciting! But it needs careful consideration and thought.

There are some important things to consider, like:

• the best type of dog to suit you/your family
• where to get your dog from
• what to feed them
• how to train them
• how to make sure you can meet their individual needs.

Bringing a dog into your family could be the best thing you ever do – but it’s important to plan it carefully. People who don’t can find their dog's behaviour tricky to handle, and eventually have to rehome them.

Choose the right breed

You can take our pet explorer quiz to find out which breeds may suit your lifestyle. Don’t be too blinded by how a dog looks – think about their personality and temperament.

Where to get your dog

Where you get your dog from is really important. You could buy a puppy from a breeder. This is a good option if you want a pedigree puppy.

A good breeder should ask you lots of questions and help you pick the right personality from their litter.

You should also:

• meet the parents and any older relatives of your pup
• check the breeder has done the relevant health checks for the breed
• check the breeder only breeds from healthy adults with sound temperaments.

You may also like to consider rescuing a dog from a rehoming organisation. There are often puppies available, but you can also rehome an adult dog who has been expertly assessed. These dogs do not all have behavioural issues. And the reason for not being rehomed may not be due to anything they’ve done. The organisation will match you to an appropriate dog, so be honest about what you want from a companion.

If you’re interested in rehoming a dog with Woodgreen, we’ve got lots more information to help you.

Helping your dog settle in

Any new dog or puppy will need your time and patience while they’re settling in. They need to get to know you as much as you need to get to know them. There’s no telling how long this will take, so be prepared to be flexible and have a plan B – and C – at the ready!

Whatever their age, you may want to take some time off work to help them settle, and build a good relationship. Strong relationships take time, kindness and predictability. So it’s important you’re there with them as much as possible at the start.

The costs of having a dog

It’s important to understand and prepare for the initial and ongoing costs of owning a dog. Larger breeds cost more to feed and insure, and things like beds and harnesses are more expensive. It can cost several hundred pounds to buy everything you need to start with. Then ongoing costs will include feeding, training and preventative vet treatments.

Make sure you have the time

You should also consider how much time you can dedicate to your new dog. Dogs need exercise and companionship, and won’t be happy left alone all day.

Some dogs need two walks a day, with off-lead exercise. Then there’s training and playtime. These activities can be divided upbetween family members, but you need to think about everyone’s commitment to a dog.

If you work full time, you may also want to consider the cost of daycare or a dog walker to support you.