Should I get a dog? Questions to ask first

If you're asking "should I get a dog?", you're probably ready if you can honestly say yes to four things: you have the time for daily walks, training and company; you can afford food, vet care and emergencies; your home and lease allow a dog; and your life looks stable enough for the next decade or more. If any of those is a "not really," it doesn't mean never. It means not yet, or a different kind of dog, or a different way of having dogs in your life.

Getting a dog is one of the most joyful decisions people make, and also one of the most commonly rushed. These are the questions worth asking before you fall in love with a face on a shelter website.

Question 1: Do I have the time?

Dogs need more than a bowl of food and a pat on the head. They need daily exercise, training, play and, above all, company.

Walk through a typical weekday and be specific:

• When would the dog be walked in the morning? By whom?
• How many hours would the dog be alone during the day?
• Who handles the midday break if you work long hours away from home?
• What happens on evenings you go out after work?
• Do you travel often for work or fun?

Many dogs struggle with being left alone for long stretches, and puppies need even more attention for house training and socialization. If your schedule doesn't have room, options like a dog walker or daycare can help, but they add cost.

Be honest about the difference between how much time you want to have and how much you actually have on a tired Wednesday.

Question 2: Can I afford it?

The adoption fee or purchase price is the smallest part of the cost. The ongoing expenses are where the real commitment lives.

Regular costs

• Food and treats
• Routine vet visits, vaccines and preventive medications
• Grooming, depending on the breed
• Toys, beds, leashes, crates
• Licensing, where required
• Pet insurance, if you choose it

Occasional and surprise costs

• Emergency vet visits, which can be expensive
• Training classes
• Boarding or pet sitting when you travel
• Replacing chewed shoes, cushions or the occasional table leg
• Higher rent or pet deposits

A good test: could you handle a large, unexpected vet bill tomorrow without it becoming a crisis? If not, start an emergency fund for the dog, or look into pet insurance, before bringing one home. A vet or local shelter can give you a realistic sense of costs in your area.

Question 3: Does my home work for a dog?

• Lease rules. If you rent, check your lease. Many have pet restrictions, breed or size limits, or extra fees. Get permission in writing.
• Space. A large, high-energy dog in a small apartment can work, but only with plenty of outdoor exercise. Some smaller or calmer dogs adapt more easily.
• Outdoor access. Is there a safe place to walk nearby? Stairs or an elevator? A yard, and is it fenced?
• Housemates and family. Is everyone in your home on board? Does anyone have allergies? Are there other pets who'd need to adjust?

If you're planning to move soon, consider waiting until you're settled. Moving with a new dog is doable, but finding pet-friendly housing can narrow your options. If you're weighing a move, our guide on should I move to a new city covers that decision.

Question 4: Is my life stable enough for the next decade or more?

Many dogs live well over a decade. That's a long time in a human life. Think about:

• Career changes, moves or periods of intense work
• Relationship changes, like moving in with someone, marriage or breakups
• Having kids, if that's in your plans
• Health or caregiving responsibilities

You can't predict everything, and nobody expects you to. But if you already know a major upheaval is coming in the next year, it may be kinder to you and the dog to wait.

Question 5: Why do I want a dog right now?

Good reasons include genuine love of dogs, wanting a companion for walks and adventures, and having the time and stability to give one a great life.

Some reasons deserve a second look:

• Loneliness after a breakup or move. A dog can be wonderful company, but it's a long commitment made during an emotional moment.
• A partner or kids pushing for it. Will the person asking actually do the work, or will it fall to you?
• A cute puppy video. Puppies grow up quickly. Make sure you want the adult dog too.

None of these automatically mean no. They just mean slow down and check that the reason will still hold a year from now. A cooling-off week before committing is a good habit, and the 10/10/10 rule can help you think about how you'll feel in ten minutes, ten months and ten years.

Question 6: What kind of dog fits my life?

If you're ready, the next decision is which dog. Matching energy level and needs to your lifestyle matters more than looks.

Consider:

• Energy level. Do you want a running partner or a couch companion?
• Age. Puppies require intensive training and supervision. Adult dogs often have a known personality and may already be house-trained. Senior dogs can be wonderful, calm companions.
• Size. Bigger dogs often mean bigger food, vet and space costs.
• Grooming. Some coats need regular professional grooming.
• Temperament with kids or other pets, if that applies.

Shelter and rescue staff often know their dogs' personalities well. Tell them honestly about your schedule and home, and let them help you find a match.

A worked example

Say Theo, 27, has wanted a dog since he was a kid. He just got a new job with a hybrid schedule and lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment.

He goes through the questions:

• Time: He's home three days a week. The other two, he'd be gone about ten hours including commute. That's too long for most dogs without help.
• Money: He has some savings but not a dedicated cushion for a vet emergency.
• Home: His lease allows dogs under a certain weight with a deposit. There's a park two blocks away.
• Stability: He just started the job and plans to stay in the apartment at least another year.
• Why: He genuinely loves dogs and wants a companion for hikes.
• Fit: He'd been picturing a high-energy herding breed puppy.

His honest conclusion: he's close, but not quite ready. He decides to:

1. Save a dedicated vet emergency fund over the next few months.
2. Price out a midday dog walker for his office days.
3. Start volunteering at a local shelter on weekends.

That last step pays off. Through volunteering, he meets a calm adult dog who's already house-trained, fits his lease, and loves long walks but is happy napping on office days. A few months later, with his fund in place and a walker lined up, he adopts her.

Theo didn't say no to a dog. He said yes on terms that set both of them up to succeed.

Question 7: Where will the dog come from?

Once you're ready, think carefully about the source. This choice affects the dog's health and your experience.

• Shelters and rescues have dogs of all ages, sizes and personalities, including many adults whose temperaments are already known. Many rescues use foster homes, so they can tell you how a dog behaves in a real house.
• Responsible breeders can make sense if you need specific traits, such as a particular size or coat. A good breeder will let you meet at least one parent, answer questions about health testing, ask you plenty of questions in return, and take the dog back if things don't work out.
• Red flags include sellers who won't let you visit, always have many puppies available, pressure you to decide quickly, or offer to meet you in a parking lot.

Whichever route you choose, ask about health history, vaccinations and behavior, and plan an early visit to a vet once the dog comes home.

If you're not ready yet

There are lots of ways to have dogs in your life without full-time ownership:

• Foster for a shelter or rescue, which helps dogs and lets you test your readiness.
• Volunteer at a shelter walking or socializing dogs.
• Dog sit for friends or through a pet-sitting service.
• Borrow a friend's dog for weekend hikes.

These are also great trial runs. You'll quickly learn what daily care really feels like.

Still not sure?

If you've worked through the questions and you're still torn, it's often worth asking whether a cat might suit your life better; the should I get a cat page compares the commitment. Or take your answers to the should I get a dog page, where Choice can weigh your schedule, budget and home and give you a straight answer.

The short version

Get a dog when you have the time, the money, a home that allows it, and a life stable enough for a long commitment. If one piece is missing, fix it first, or try fostering, volunteering or dog sitting in the meantime. And once you're ready, choose a dog whose energy and needs match your real life, not just your favorite photo.