Is your family thinking about getting a new dog? The choice can often come down to deciding between a puppy and a rescue. There are plenty of pros and cons for both, and you will have to think about the circumstances of your home when choosing. Here are some of the things to think about in order to make the right decision for your family.
Overall Costs
You need to think carefully about the overall costs of adding a dog to your home, whether it is a puppy or a rescue. Firstly, you need to pay for all the gear that comes with a dog like a bed, toys, and a good leash and crate (if you want to use the latter). It can also be wise to take out a policy with a company like Petsure to ensure that you are protected when it comes to costs like vet bills.
Make sure you consider the cost of acquiring the dog itself. If you are able to pick up the puppy at no cost by adopting it from a friend or family member, this won’t be too much of an issue. With a rescue, you might have to pay a small fee to the charity that has looked after them. The most expensive option will be to buy a puppy from a breeder – especially as you might have to travel a distance in order to get a dog from a respected and ethical breeder too.
Training
With both a puppy and a rescue, you will have to put the time in to train the dog and ensure that they are a good fit for your home. With a puppy, you have to consider that it will almost be like bringing a new baby home and getting them settled. You will have to be their guide as they explore this new world, and you will have to commit to things like getting up in the night to feed them and let them go to the toilet until they are house-trained.
Likewise, there will be aspects of training that you need to go through with a rescue. The dog that you choose might have certain behavioural issues. With the right training and a lot of love, you might be able to rehabilitate them, but it is something that you need to factor in when trying to find a rescue. Of course, not all rescues have behaviour issues but you will still have to train them in important areas like recall.
Commitment
A dog is a big commitment. Depending on the breed of dog you choose, you could have a companion that could be with you for over fifteen years if you get them when they are very small puppies. This is a long time to commit to a dog and you will have to bear in mind things like relocations or holidays.
These last two points also come into play with a rescue dog, but you have more of a timeline to play with when it comes to the age of the dog. It is entirely possible to adopt a puppy or a dog that might be one or two years old. However, there are many people who also find a great purpose and fulfilment in adopting senior dogs and giving them a good life as they grow older.
These are three key things to think about when trying to choose between a puppy and a rescue. Both could be the perfect choice for your home and household, so it is vital that you weigh up the pros and cons of both.
