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Before you adopt, count the years and the cost. A dog lives 10 to 15 years on average, and the lifetime cost is often estimated between $10,000 and $20,000. That is food, veterinary care, preventive medicine, and the ordinary things that break. It is also time. Training, exercise, feeding, and the hours you are not home all have to land on someone in the household. Decide who that is before you decide you want the dog.

A dog changes the rest of your plans. A baby, a move, a job with longer hours, a vacation — those are not surprises you sort out after the adoption. If you travel often, price a boarding kennel now. Boarding facilities require current vaccinations. If you are gone all day, be honest about how much of the evening is left for a dog that has been alone since morning. Dogs are social. A yard is not company.

Look at the property the same way. You need a yard and a fence that will actually hold the dog, or a clear plan if you do not have one. An apartment with no outdoor space is a poor fit for many dogs, and a poor fit for this breed in particular. An enclosure or run has to let the dog move, and it has to keep the sleeping and eating areas separate from where the dog relieves itself. Droppings come out daily. Inside, the dog needs a weatherproof place to sleep, out of sun, wind, and rain, with bedding that is free of fleas. A kennel, if you use one, has to be large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down. Prefer the house to a kennel in the weather.

Feed a balanced diet matched to size, age, activity, and any medical needs. Climate matters too. Puppies from about 6 weeks to 6 months should be fed at least twice a day. Adult dogs, 6 months and older, at least once. How much depends on the dog. If you are unsure, ask your veterinarian. Extra weight is not harmless. Fresh, clean water should be available all day.

Dry food, raw bones meant for dogs, and dental chews help the teeth. Do not feed cooked bones. They splinter and can lodge in the throat or the intestine. Keep these out of reach: raisins, grapes, and nuts; chocolate; garlic and onions; rhubarb; rat bait; snail bait; antifreeze; and compost.

The law sits under all of this. Failing to provide proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care can be charged as cruelty. Fines are common. So is removal of the dog. The minimum is not the goal. The goal is a dog treated as part of the household for the whole of its life — including heartworm preventive and flea treatment every month after it leaves us. If the time, the money, or the yard is not there, the kind choice is not to adopt.

See Also Pet Resources for Homeowners