The Perfect Puppy: Take Britain's Number One Puppy Care Book With You: The No. 1 Bestseller fully revised and updated, take Britain's Number One Puppy Care Book With You!

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My first dog as an adult was a shih tzu named Cuddles. My husband and I had discussed getting a dog for a while. Before you decide that a puppy is the best pet for you, or before you get your heart set on a particular breed, there’s lots of things you need to consider. It’s essential to make sure that a puppy is the right pet for you and your family, as taking on a pet is a huge commitment. Remember, your puppy will soon turn into a beautiful adult dog who will hopefully be with your family for many happy years.

If you have reliable relatives or friends who can regularly help out, it can make getting a puppy much more realistic. But my Lhasa apso Ralphie–true to breed–is more discriminating when making friends. He’s standoffish, but not aggressive. Most adult dogs will come to you with some training and socialisation. That doesn't mean the job's done, however - there'll still be plenty for you to do, and there's no reason why you can't build a bond that's as strong as with any puppy. You’ll need to make sure you can meet your puppy’s 5 Welfare Needs, providing everything they need to be happy and healthy – and you’ll need to make sure you can continue to do so as their needs change throughout their lives. Here’s some things to carefully consider before you make a decision: Children make a big difference when deciding if it’s the right time to choose a puppy. If you have very young kids a rambunctious Lab may not be the right choice. Do You Have Other Pets?Some dogs will be happy with half an hour while others will need upwards of two hours plus training and stimulation every single day for the next 12+ years. The rough guide is if they were bred to work all day (such as the gundog, working, pastoral and terrier groups), they are going to need a lot of exercise!

Lifestyle: Do you have enough time for a puppy? They will need plenty of company, entertainment and ongoing training during the day, especially while they are young. If you work full-time, you may need to consider day care options. Remember that a new puppy is a lifetime commitment and you’ll need to look after them for as long as they live – if you’re planning any big lifestyle changes, make sure they’ll be able to accommodate a dog. Your puppy will have very different exercise needs to an adult dog, and it’s important to take their exercise easy at first. As a general rule, it’s good to aim for five minutes of exercise per month of your puppy’s age, twice a day – just remember that every puppy is different, so you may need to cut this down if your puppy is struggling. You can still keep your puppy happy and entertained in lots of other ways, for example playing games or trying a puzzle feeder. Mum is from a healthy line with no issues and we have bred from this line for 15 years and has a wonderful temperament ..

Next step – finding a good breeder

Do the puppies show any interest in you, such as coming closer to give you a sniff? Healthy puppies are active, curious and interested in the world around them. These can really add up. You may decide not to get pet health insurance and not need pet walkers or doggie daycare, but expenses can really add up over the years. Do You Have Children? As well as puppy-proofing your home, you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared with all of the supplies your puppy will need. Here are some things that your list could include:

The fact is that shy and aggressive dogs usually haven’t been properly socialized at a young age. These issues won’t go away, and in many cases they can get worse over the years. That can be a major problem for families with kids and other pets. Specific dog personalities to look forDo you prefer large dogs or small dogs? Contrary to popular belief, your living situation doesn’t necessarily have to dictate this answer. Even apartment dwellers can easily share their home with some larger dog breeds. As long as the dog’s exercise needs are met (through long walks, trips to the dog run, and activity sessions), the dog’s living area doesn’t necessarily have to be a certain size. Dogs sold in pet shops and through the internet usually come from them. Of course, do your own research because no one will admit they are a puppy mill. Don’t Buy or Adopt on Impulse Shelters and rescue groups can also be great places to get a puppy. Many use foster homes, where a puppy or litter of puppies are located. So Riley would be great with well-behaved children and would love to be hugged by them. Whereas Ralphie wouldn’t appreciate such interactions. Health Problems