| When that sweet little puppy face is staring at | | | | along with them, making it difficult to trim nails |
| you, begging you to take it home, it's easy for | | | | short without damaging the quick. If the nails are |
| rational thought to go out the window. And if that | | | | excessively long, it can be difficult and |
| adorable face comes complete with a few face | | | | uncomfortable for a dog to walk on them. To |
| licks, you're most likely already sold. The moment | | | | save money, as well as bond with your dog, you |
| you're being bombarded with wet kisses, you're | | | | can do all of the grooming activities yourself. You'll |
| probably not thinking about all the time and | | | | spend more on the initial supply of shampoo and |
| energy, not to mention the cost of owning a dog. | | | | nail clippers, but they'll pay for themselves the |
| Besides the time spent training and caring for it, | | | | more you groom your dog. The most critical |
| there are also the basic expenses of food, a | | | | expense to consider is that of veterinary care. |
| warm bed, grooming and veterinary care. In | | | | Unlike toys and treats, this expense cannot be |
| addition, you'll want to have a few other things on | | | | eliminated in a pinch. This is a necessary cost of |
| hand: a leash and collar for walks, toys for | | | | owning a dog. In a perfect world, dogs would see |
| playtime and treats for training. Most of these | | | | the vet once a year. They'd go for annual rabies |
| expenses vary from dog to dog. Take food, for | | | | and distemper shots, as well as tests to check |
| example. A three-pound Chihuahua will eat less | | | | for other canine diseases. This schedule would |
| than a 100-pound Great Pyrenees. But it's not only | | | | stay in effect for the life of the dog. |
| the amount of food they eat; it's also the type of | | | | Unfortunately, sometimes dogs need more |
| food. You can spend a nominal amount on | | | | frequent vet visits. Ear infections, sprains and |
| low-quality dog food that contains a lot of fillers, | | | | stomach ailments are among the most common |
| and not enough protein and minerals, or you can | | | | reasons dogs visit their vets. Thankfully, these are |
| spend several times that amount on a special raw | | | | usually temporary issues, and dogs recover rather |
| diet. While these types of diets generally offer all | | | | quickly. But other diseases are much more |
| the nutrients and vitamins a dog needs, minus | | | | serious, and much more expensive to treat. It's |
| added filler, some dog owners like the | | | | said that fifty percent of all dogs over age ten will |
| convenience of a dry or canned food. As smaller | | | | die of cancer. But certain breeds of dogs are |
| pets take up less space, so do their accessories. | | | | more likely than others to have particular health |
| A teacup poodle-sized dog bed would never | | | | issues, even before that age. Bulldogs, pugs and |
| accommodate a Great Dane. A tiny bed will cost | | | | other short-muzzled breeds are predisposed to |
| considerably less than a large bed. But then again, | | | | breathing problems. Hip dysplasia is not uncommon |
| you may decide to forgo a dog bed altogether in | | | | in golden retrievers. Cocker spaniels are |
| favor of letting the dog sleep on a family | | | | susceptible to eye disorders, such as cataracts. |
| member's bed. A toy that is the perfect size for | | | | Of course, most dogs live long, full, healthy lives, |
| a tiny Yorkie mouth could be dangerous around a | | | | but it's a good idea to research your breed to |
| larger dog. A big dog could choke on a toy meant | | | | understand what to expect. Other items such as |
| for a small dog. Larger toys are in order if you're | | | | collars, leashes, toys and treats, run the gamut |
| getting a large breed dog. Buy a few nice toys, if | | | | from inexpensive to downright pricey. You can |
| you can. Consider it part of the cost of owning a | | | | find serviceable nylon collars and leashes, or you |
| dog. Grooming is another consideration. It's | | | | can opt for the rhinestone-encrusted collar with |
| important that dogs are bathed and brushed | | | | matching leash. It's the same with toys. You can |
| regularly. This helps keep their skin healthy and | | | | find an inexpensive fleece chew toy, or an |
| their coat shiny. As some dogs are prone to skin | | | | indestructible rubber polymer bone. Dry kibble |
| disorders, it's always a good idea to maintain good | | | | treats can be purchased in bulk, or you can opt |
| habits in this regard. Some dogs shed more than | | | | for natural treats that are made with real meat |
| others. Even dogs that are touted as | | | | and vegetables. Whether you spend a lot or a |
| "non-shedding" breeds still shed, but maybe not as | | | | little, your dog won't know the difference. |
| much as others. The home of a golden retriever | | | | However, what he will know is how much love |
| might harbor tumbleweeds of dog hair in every | | | | and attention you lavish on him, and he'll be |
| corner, while in the home of a maltese, you might | | | | forever grateful. If you figure affection and |
| only find a few hairs here or there. Regular | | | | loyalty into the cost of owning a dog, you may |
| washing and brushing can help control shedding, | | | | find that you get back everything you spent, and |
| though at certain times of the year, dogs lose | | | | so much more. |
| more hair in preparation for the change of | | | | David Beart is owner of the Professors House, a |
| seasons. It's also important to keep a dog's nails | | | | site dedicated to family, relationships, dog health, |
| short. If nails are left to grow, the quick (the | | | | and household issues. |
| fleshy portion on the underside of the nail) grows | | | | |