Sophie Stillwell has been writing professionally since 1992. She is published in "The Gorham Times" newspaper, "Private Colleges & Universities" magazine, on eHow and in several other publications. She has experience working as a paralegal, antiques dealer and neurobehavioral coach. Her writing topics frequently include frugal living, pets and health. Stillwell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Southern Maine.
Overview
There's more to choosing a new puppy than just finding the cutest one in the litter. Go beyond "how much is that doggy in the window?" and consider your family, lifestyle and the cost of owning a puppy before you find your new best friend.
Household
When you are planning to get a new puppy, you first need to consider the current members of your household. Whether or not you have children or plan to have children, whether someone will be home most of the time to care for the puppy and whether family members are allergic are all matters that you need to take into account when choosing a new puppy. Keep in mind the animals you already have and how they'll adjust to another pet in the family.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle will be a factor in choosing your new puppy. Some breeds, such as terriers or dalmatians, have high energy and require lots of exercise. Other breeds, such as great danes or basset hounds, require less exercise and are better suited for non-athletic owners. If you travel or work long hours, consider what you'll do with your puppy when you are away from home.
Lifetime Costs
There are many costs associated with having a dog, so keep that in mind when choosing a new puppy. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the average yearly cost for a dog is between $580 and $875--and this amount is roughly double in your pet's first year of life. That could mean almost $10,000 over the lifetime of your pet.
Breed
Choosing the breed of your new puppy will be easier when you've taken your household and lifestyle under consideration. Research a breed thoroughly to be sure there aren't any conflicts with what you want from a dog. If cost is a factor, you may want to consider a mixed breed, since they are generally less expensive to obtain and are less prone to health problems than purebred dogs.
Laws
Depending upon where you live, you may need to license your dog and get her certain vaccinations in order to abide by the law. Some places also have leash laws, breed bans and approved times dogs can be out in a yard. Call your town or city offices to see which laws will apply to your neighborhood.
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