
Author: Robert Pattinson
If you have made the decision to invite a rescue dog into your home, there are a number of factors you must think about beforehand. It may be one of the most exciting decisions you can make, especially if you have young children, but it can also become a decision you come to regret by failing to conduct enough research ahead of time. If you are struggling to choose a suitable rescue dog for you and your loved ones, continue reading to find out what you must think about before making a final decision.
Pick a breed
It may sound obvious but when it comes to choosing a rescue dog, picking a breed should be the first decision you make. If you already have your heart set on a particular breed, for example, you must ensure you have done your research and are happy with the choice you have made. If you have yet to pick a breed, you must analyse your current lifestyle and how it is likely to change in the not-so-distant future with various breeds incompatible with owners that work long hours or are unable to commit to the time, care, and attention a rescue dog needs to settle into your home.
Consider insurance
If you are an experienced rescue dog owner, you may be familiar with the importance of pet insurance and its ability to cover you, and your furry friend, in the event of an accident or emergency. It is a fact, for example, that rescue dogs are more likely to be prone to underlying or pre-existing medical conditions and, as a result, may require additional medical care than that of a thoroughbred dog. It is, therefore, worth taking the time to research suitable pet insurance plans from top-rated providers, such as Petsure, to ensure your rescue dog is covered and provide you with much-needed peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellbeing of your new furry friend.
Choose an age
It can be tempting to enter into the process of shopping around for a rescue dog with your heart set on a puppy but in order to make a suitable decision, you must consider your options. If you are nearing retirement age or are no longer as fit as you used to be, for example, an older rescue dog may be better suited to your lifestyle. If you have young children or are planning to expand your family in the not-so-distant future, a puppy may end up becoming too much for you as you adjust to life with a new-born baby at the same time.
Decide a gender
If you have decided to adopt a rescue dog to provide it with a second chance at life, gender may not necessarily matter to you. If you already have a dog at home, however, it may be worth taking the time to decide how opting for the same or opposite gender may impact your furry friend’s daily routine. It is a common occurrence, for example, for dogs to refuse to get along with breeds of the same or opposite sex and this may negatively impact your ability to calmly introduce a new member of the family into your home.
If you have decided to adopt a rescue dog, there are several things you must know beforehand. It may, for example, benefit you to pick a breed that aligns with your lifestyle, consider insurance that covers any underlying or pre-existing medical conditions, choose an age to suit you and your family, and decide a gender ahead of time.