Doggy novice wanting all your pearls of wisdom please!

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much-jittering

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This is a long term thing, but need to know what we're up against and figured you lot who all know what you're talking about were the place to come!

Me and long term OH are currently looking to get our own place, eventually. When that happens (ideally sometime before 2050 ;) ) we want a dog.

Neither of us have owned a dog before or had them as family pets as kids (I do dog walk/puppy sit etc for other people but that's the easy bit!) and I just want some viewpoints on what to consider and what to set aside as an initial set up budget to buy dog, equipment it will need, insurance etc and then more 'maintainance' costs, such as feed, training, routine vets etc. I feel that as I'm the one who's involved in 4 legged financial drains (horses lol) I might have to be the voice of reason on cost and making sure there's enough in the pot to do right by a dog for many years.

I know some of the costs might depend on what we get, we want a certain breed but I would be happy to rehome a more mature (but not uber old) rescue dog rather than get a puppy if that was an option - which I know might affect some of the initial kit (i.e. crate etc) and costs (puppy vacs, buying a few hundredpoundsworth of pup in the first place etc)

OH would want to work it, not neccessarily driven shooting (I know taking your own dog can be frowned on a bit then anyway, and it's not like we've got the money!) but definitely out with him rough shooting - would this affect insurance costs?

How do you go about finding good trainers to educate you and your dog (puppy or otherwise). I can't abide out of control dog owners and am determined not to be one! Plus obviously wanting to work it, and I wouldn't mind some field trial events just for fun - I fancy the look of that from watching them and am keen to learn more, would be nice to take part in competitions where there is no danger of being bucked off of anything! ;)
Plus the breed we want are notoriously hyper and a badly trained hyper dog with novice owners sounds a bad combination ;) Is there any sort of system for finding decent ones, like the BHS instructor's register?! Who will do a good job of training dog and owner, in a fair way.

I know I'm completely wet behind the ears about the whole subject, but I'm determined to get as clued up as possible before we go ahead! So if you lot don't mind potentially many stupid question threads it would be hugely appreciated :D
 
I'm a novice dog owner, having got our first ever dog (as a puppy) 13 months ago. The most useful thing I've found has been to build up a good network of supportive contacts - other experienced dog owners - to turn to at sticky moments. We are very lucky to have some serious support in the form of our dog's breeder. We're having a few issues with our dog's socialisation at the moment and her help is totally priceless.

A good vet has made a big difference to us too - I can call our local practice for advice whenever plus they put us on to the local dog school for puppy classes. Through doggy friends we've found out about, and joined, an agility class.

In terms of costs, I think we spent about £250 on 'stuff' when we bought Stan. That included two crates, beds (immediately destroyed by pup), toys (also immediately destroyed and replaced with tougher versions!), collars, leads, harnesses, food and masses and masses of chews and treats. We spend £17 a month on insurance (just as a pet) and another £10 a month or our vet's 'Healthy Pets Club' which includes all flea treatment, wormers and annual vaccs.

Hope that helps :) Getting a first dog is such a fun and exciting experience (if a little duanting at times - but worth it).
 
Mines 13 months so can give you a mini break down of what he has cost so far. Have had him from a pup so some items might not be relevant (such as neutering) if you're going for an older dog or rescue :)

Price of pup (fully health tested parents etc): £550

1st vac: £30

worm/flea treatment (prescription stuff so hardly the cheap option. I'm not sure I'd bother if our tom cat didn't drag in new species of flea and random dead things on a daily basis. Also he's a 40kg+ dog, so on a higher dose than smaller breeds): £50ish per 3 months, so perhaps £200 pa approx

Adult sized cage: £60

Bedding (he chews his blankies :rolleyes:) £40

Puppy school: £65

outgrown car harnesses: £50

food: £70 every 2-3 months (for 2x15kg Arden Grange on bulk buy) so
perhaps £280 pa approx

Unexpected melodramatic reaction to a bee sting (I TOLD him to leave the bloody thing alone!): £55

Neutering: £118

Insurance: £300

New leads/collars/toys/bowls/random items: £70, to be on the safe side. Perhaps less.

Petlog premium: £10

That's all I can think of for now. He's the first dog that's been 'mine' and not a family dog, so I've bought a lot from scratch etc. And a few of those costs are one offs, like the balls off option :) Still, when you add it up seems like a lot. £1828 in his first 12 months and that doesn't even include pig's ears etc! :eek: :p
 
When you decide come back an someone will definately point you in the direction of a good breeder, with health tested parent dogs.
Good trainer, again come back and give your area and again someone will be sure to recommend, or go to your vet and get a recommendation.
I personally would not add that the dog is working to the insurance it will certainly bump the policy.

I have a long puppy guide I do for the rescue pups we rehome, so if you ned one nearer to the time, give me a shout.
Crated can be purchased alot cheaper on E bay

Im also going to drop a recommendation for a first dog-flat coated retriever, cos most will say lab or spaniel:p flats are generally mild mannered and bidable compared to some of the more hyper/high energy, my boss (vet) has them and they are fab if you like this type of breed.
 
Main points seem to have been covered but I just wanted to say how impressed I am to see someone taking so much time and trouble to prepare for dog ownership. If everyone who owned a dog, particularly first time dog owners, put this much thought into it there would be far fewer tragic rescue cases around so well done.

BTW - can recommend Labradors!! :)
 
Thanks so much everybody.

I'm sorry, and I know it's probably not ideal, but it's got to be a spaniel. OH has been wanting one for 30 years! I will certainly come back for much advice, or just gin, when it happens!
 
lol! Shame you don't want one now cause my friends bitch has just produced a litter of working cocker spaniels!! (KC reg and health tested)

There are a lot of dog training clubs in our area. I spoke to people and looked at their dogs to decide which to go to. But your vet will recommend too.
 
I'm disagreeing with Cayla on the flatcoat thing! Don't think they are appropriate first dogs!
Well done on thoroughly researching, very responsible.
 
much-jittering said:
Thanks so much everybody.

I'm sorry, and I know it's probably not ideal, but it's got to be a spaniel. OH has been wanting one for 30 years! I will certainly come back for much advice, or just gin, when it happens!
Click to expand...

You may want to start your own fitness training straight away!! :) What sort of spaniel are you looking at?
 
camilla4 said:
You may want to start your own fitness training straight away!! :) What sort of spaniel are you looking at?
Click to expand...

Springer or cocker, would prefer a springer but would be felixable if the situation needed it at the time. One of my clients has just got a lovely cocker pup, so will watch his progress over the next few months to see if it sways me away from springers.

I think I'm fit enough for a few miles a day!
 
I know a good breeder in Herts (wish I'd known him when I was looking :rolleyes:) who has FTCH galore in the lines.

As a springer owner (I have three), I'd say the most important things are health testing and temperament. My older dog is so easy but the puppies are very hard work, very different dogs.

Spaniels are not easy sometimes, so search round for your breeder and be prepared to wait for the right dog. I didn't for the latest pups and love them though I do, I wish to God I'd waited and found a 'proper' breeder.
 
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