Before You Get a Dog
Should you get a dog, and which one?
Tools
Cost of OwnershipWhat a dog realistically costs per year and in the first year, by size and country — showing both the basic and fuller-care figures because the sources genuinely disagree.Should You Get a DogAn honest readiness check — time, alone-hours, space, and family fit — that gives you a framework instead of a moral lecture.Breed FitHow to match a breed to your life — and the honest truth about “hypoallergenic” dogs (there's no such thing; it varies by individual).Puppy or AdultWhether a puppy or an adult dog fits you better — with the honest truth that shelter temperament labels don't predict how a dog behaves at home.Vetting a BreederHow to find a responsible breeder and spot a puppy mill — health testing, meeting the parents, and why never before 8 weeks.Pet InsuranceWhether pet insurance is worth it, what it covers and excludes, and why buying before conditions develop matters — grounded in the model regulations.Adding a Second DogWhether — and how — to add a second dog: which sex/age combinations get along, the littermate-syndrome debate, and a safe introduction.