Buying or Keeping a Dog: An Informed Decision

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and although many prospective dog owners, especially first-time owners, think they understand the weight of this responsibility, it is often difficult to foresee the full extent of it.

As dog owners, whether you’re a veteran or newbie, we believe that taking responsibility for your dog’s overall health should be at the forefront of every decision you make going forward.

Being a responsible dog owner involves more than just owning a dog. Making an informed decision and being prepared for the responsibilities that come with it is the first step in becoming a true dog owner.

That is why, Responsible Dog Ownership Monthwe’re here to help you make an informed decision about where and how to keep your dog. It’s also a great time, especially for first-time dog owners, to think about what it really means to provide a happy, healthy and safe environment for your dog.

Once you’ve finally made the decision to bring a new member of your family into your home, it’s time to decide which path to take: buy or adopt. This is one of the biggest dilemmas for many prospective dog owners, and deciding between these options can be a challenge.

So in this article we will explain the options for both buying and owning a dog, allowing you to consider all the factors to make an informed and responsible decision.

Know the difference between buying and adopting a dog

The first step in deciding whether to buy or own a dog is to know their main differences, which we will explain below.

Buy a dog

Buying a dog means buying from a reputable breeder, from a pet store or online.

Many people who buy dogs are looking for a puppy or have their heart set on a particular characteristic, such as breed, age, color, size, temperament or pedigree, that can be hard to find at a shelter.

People looking to buy a dog often want a specific breed and will end up buying from a breeder, pet store or online, which can make the purchase more expensive.

Additionally, purebred dogs and dogs from reputable breeders can be very expensive, and reputable breeders will charge a variety of extra fees on top of the purchase price, such as vaccinations, health exams, microchipping, spay/neuter, etc.

Additionally, buying a dog takes more time as you will need to do thorough and extensive research on the breed yourself and find a responsible and ethical breeder to acquire the dog from.

Foster a dog

Adopting a dog means getting a dog from an animal shelter, rescue group, or directly from a previous owner. These dogs are usually strays, abandoned dogs, or dogs in need of a new home.

Unlike buying, adopting a dog involves a process focused on finding the best home and owner for the dog.

Therefore, if you decide to get a dog, the dog-keeping organization or person will need to assess your lifestyle and your ability to feed and care for a dog.

Adopting a pet is not as expensive as buying one, as adoption fees usually include basic services like initial medical care, vaccinations, and spay/neuter.

Plus, you might not have to do as much research as you would if you were buying a dog — shelters and rescue groups usually rate dogs for their behavior and temperament, so you’ll have a good idea of ​​what you’ll be getting into.

Pros and cons: buying and owning a dog

There are pros and cons to both buying and adopting a dog, and thinking about these will help you make a choice that fits your lifestyle and your personal and ethical values.

Buy a dog

Are you leaning towards the option of buying a dog? Check out the following pros and cons to help you feel more confident in your choice and gain a better understanding of why owning a dog is right for you.

Strong Points	Cons
You can get exactly the variety you’re looking for: For those who have their heart set on a particular breed or are interested in dog showing, breeding, or a particular career, buying a dog from a reputable breeder gives you the freedom to choose and get the breed you’re looking for.	Additional charges increase costs: Buying a purebred dog can be expensive. Depending on the breed and lineage of the dog, prices can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. It is also common for reputable breeders to charge extra fees, such as health testing and vaccinations, on top of the purchase price.
Know the patient’s medical history A reputable breeder will provide detailed information about the dog’s health history, ancestry, genetic testing, testing for breed-specific diseases, etc. This transparency allows prospective dog owners to have a better understanding of what they’re getting themselves into.	There is a risk in buying from an irresponsible breeder. Not all breeders are reputable or ethical, and it can be very difficult for first-time dog owners to properly evaluate whether a breeder is behaving ethically.
Dogs are socialized and trained from an early age. Puppies from reputable breeders are more likely to be properly socialized from an early age and raised in a healthy, caring environment, resulting in better-adjusted, well-behaved dogs.	I accidentally supported a puppy mill.: If you don’t do your due diligence on the breeder, pet store, or online platform from which you purchase a dog, you may unknowingly Puppy Factory Some breeders are unethical and put profits above the health and well-being of their dogs. These facilities often place dogs in poor living conditions and do not provide them with proper training or adequate health care. Additionally, puppy mills kill dogs when they can no longer produce live young, but only those that survive long enough to survive the poor living conditions are killed.
Get guidance and support from your breeder: This isn’t true for all breeders, but a reputable breeder will offer you lifelong support. They can provide guidance on how to properly care for a dog, which is especially helpful for first-time dog owners, and this support even extends to adopting the dog if the owner can no longer care for it.	Contributing to pet overpopulation: Buying a dog perpetuates the dog breeding and sales cycle that leads to millions of dogs being abandoned in shelters. Furthermore, this may not help the community as a whole address larger ethical issues, such as the ongoing crisis in shelters with overcrowding and euthanasia.

Foster a dog

Have you decided that owning a dog is much better than buying one? Well, here are some pros and cons to help you decide.

Strong Points	Cons
Give your dog a second chance at life: Dogs in shelters often come from difficult and heartbreaking circumstances, and by adopting a dog you are giving them a second chance at a happy and healthy life.	The dog has an unknown or mysterious background. Because most of the rescue dogs are abandoned, little is known about their exact age, breed, health or other background information.
Low initial cost: Adopting a dog is not as expensive as buying one from a breeder, and the adoption fee often includes important health needs such as vaccinations, microchipping, spay/neuter and initial veterinary care.	It takes a lot of practice and patience: Often times, shelter dogs have behavioral issues or special needs due to a history of abuse, neglect or poor socialization. Therefore, in most cases, rescue dogs require a lot more special attention, training, and patience.
The shelter will provide you with insight into the dog’s personality and behavior. Most dogs spend a significant amount of time at the shelter, so the staff knows their personalities well. You may have seen adoption profiles for dogs that indicate they would do well in a home without children, cats, etc. Plus, this insight will help you find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.	Adoption can be a long process. Adopting a dog is a lengthy process that involves applications, interviews, home visits, waiting periods, and more – all to ensure that the owner and dog are the right match. This is done to ensure responsible dog ownership, but some people find the process exhausting.
Positive impact on animal welfare: Adopting a dog not only makes a positive impact on the dog’s life, but it also has a positive impact on animal welfare as a whole because you’ll be supporting animal shelters and rescue organisations whose overall mission is to save animals and ensure their well-being.	You may not pass the shelter assessment if: Even after going through the lengthy process, there is still a chance that your pet may not pass the shelter’s screening. Shelters hope that the dogs will be adopted into homes that can provide them with everything they need, and some even do home visits to make sure they can properly care for the dog.

Buying vs. Adoption: Which is the Better Option?

Buying a dog may give you a cute puppy, the breed-specific traits you’re looking for, and early training, but it is up to responsible dog owners to make a decision that carefully considers not only their own lifestyle but larger issues such as the impact on animal welfare and other ethical concerns.

On the flip side, owning a dog is not only a compassionate act, but also an ethical choice – it saves lives, saves money, and contributes positively to animal welfare organisations. But owning a dog still comes with challenges.

There are pros and cons to both buying and adopting a dog, but prospective dog owners should do their research before choosing one of the options presented to them.

Furthermore, we put responsible dog ownership first and want to encourage future dog owners to seriously consider both options.

Ultimately, whether your dog is a purebred or a mixed breed, your dog’s overall health should be at the heart of your decision-making process.

Conclusion

Making an informed decision will not only have a positive impact on yourself, but on your dog’s welfare and the pet community as a whole.

As a future owner, it’s important to know the weight of the decision to get a dog. Do your research, think it through, and make a choice that truly fits your values ​​and lifestyle.

We want to reiterate that whether you buy or adopt, responsible dog care is of the utmost importance.