Deciding to either buy or adopt a dog is more than likely going to be the best thing you will ever do but there are many things to consider. At DogStop, we will always encourage you to look to adopt before you buy. To see our dogs listed for adoption, please click here.

The Basics:

You wouldn’t drive a car without a licence, (well at least we hope you wouldn’t) so it is vital that you have a Dog licence for each dog you own. This costs €20 per dog per year or €140 per dog for a lifetime licence in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, it is £12.50 per dog per year. In certain circumstances, the owner of three or more dogs may apply for a ‘block licence’ at an annual fee of £32.

All dogs must be microchipped by a vet by the time they are 12 weeks of age.

There is nothing worse than walking along and standing down on dog poo so if you think you are ready to own a dog, be sure to clean up after your dog in public.

A dog must always wear a collar which has the name and address of the owner on it. This is a great opportunity to buy stylish collars from top Irish businesses like Ecclesia and Wild Tails

Dog Care

Although getting a dog is the most exciting experience ever, it is so important to think before you act. First and foremost, make sure that you can look after the dog’s needs. If you are struggling financially, you should probably wait to get any dog, not to mind getting a breed that will eat more than you do. There will also be other costs such as vaccinations, pet insurance, bedding and toys and treats.

Consider if where you live is stable and suitable for a new addition to the family to join you for the next 10-15 year. This is another reason why it is so important to get a suitable breed of dog. It can be an enormous challenge if you live in a small apartment with no garden to try and give certain dogs such as the Siberian Husky the level of exercise they need through walks alone.

You should also consider not just the needs of your new pet but also if it is suitable for a new dog to be around those already in the owner’s life such as other pets, children and others which might provide a challenging environment to live in.

You should also consider if your dog should be neutered? Neutering not only eradicates the chance of your dog producing litters, but it also helps to reduce the chance of your dog developing long-term illnesses and diseases.

Feeding your dog is a basic requirement but ensuring that they are being fed with the most optimal food for their needs is essential. You should ensure that any processed food you give your dog is kept to a minimum and contains high quality protein fish and/or meat. Be sure to avoid preservatives and additives. Ask your vet for advice on what diet would suit your dog best.

Do you like cuddles? If the answer is yes, then you should not get a dog. You should not just like cuddles, you should love them! Name any breed of dog (except maybe the American Akita), and they will love cuddling up to their owner. No matter how much you love your furry friend, you must remember that you are their entire world and receiving affection from you is vital for their happiness. Cuddles, rubs, playing, and walks are the best ways of displaying affection to your dog. Dog ownership should not be just about meeting the basic requirements. Instead, it should be about loving, spoiling, and caring about your four-legged friend like they are a member of your family.

Social Needs

Certain dogs naturally love being in a lively environment while others are introverts. Regardless of the breed of dog, socialisation is essential for them to thrive in the company of adults, children, and other animals. If you would like to go somewhere public to socialise your dogs with other animals and people, why not check out our listing of over 300 Dog Friendly Hotels, Cafes & Pubs

According to the IKC, dog training is an ideal way to socialise your dog and improve their behaviour. There are many benefits to training your dog. The first is obvious: a well-behaved dog is much nicer to have around the house. You can get your dog to do what they’re told with the minimum amount of fuss and your dog knows what’s expected of them and gets a sense of achievement by responding to a command correctly. Training your dog is socially responsible, because well-behaved dogs don’t bother people when out in public places. In Ireland dogs are required to be always under the control of their owner, so if you intend to take your dog off lead it is imperative that your dog responds to you. Training can help deepen the bond between you and your dog. Many owners count time spent training as quality time. Taking the time to train your dog and get them to respond to you will result in you both having a closer relationship, which can only be a good thing. If you are looking for a dog trainer in your area, why not check out our listing of dog trainers here.

Once you commit to making your dog’s life as happy as possible, we are sure it will enhance your quality of life also. Dogs are the greatest friend a human can have so treating them as such is only right.

Please note that these tips and guidelines are not extensive. Dogstop accepts no responsibility for missing information. Check out our Policies and Guidelines page for more information.

All information is correct as of August 2023. If something does not look correct in this article, please contact info@dogstop.ie