With the holidays quickly approaching it can be tempting to want to give yourself (or a loved one) a new fur-ever friend. However, each year thousands of dogs are returned to the shelter after the holidays once people realize that dogs are a lot of work. Dogs require time, patience, love and care and simply put—not everyone is prepared for that.

If you or a loved one are planning on bringing a new dog home this holiday season here are considerations before doing so!

Your life is going to drastically change

The change is mostly for the good, because you've got a fuzzy bundle of joy, but it's important to think about those not-so-fun changes as well. Everything from your morning routine to your finances will change. Since it’s no longer just yourself to worry about, you will quickly learn that you will be making sacrifices and compromises to provide a well-balanced life for your dog. (And seriously, if you're anything like the Frenchie team, you'll find yourself spoiling your pup more than you would a human kid!)

Big changes to free time

We mentioned that your routine is going to change—that includes your day-to-day schedule and your weekend plans. You’ll have to start scheduling things around your dog’s schedule including walks, playtime, feeding, grooming, vet appointments and more. This is something to highly consider if you’re someone who is constantly on the go, or you like to take last-minute vacations and overnight trips. Who's going to take care of your pup while you're gone? Do you have a reliable boarder or house-sitter? 

Financial responsibility

To put it simply: dogs cost money. Vet bills, insurance, grooming, food, toys…should we go on? You will need research the lifestyle you want to give to your dog to budget accordingly.

Breed research

You may think that French Bulldogs are the cutest breed out there (and you are 100% correct) but did you know Frenchie’s are prone to separation anxiety and shed a lot for a short-haired dog? Take your time to research the different dog breeds and what is required of them before adopting.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

This is one of the most crucial questions to ask yourself before adopting a new dog. Will your life look drastically different in the next 10-15 years? Will you not be able to handle or afford a dog? Will your life change so much to the point that you might have to give up your dog? Consider your future plans and make sure a dog fits into the picture every step of the way. Remember a dog is for the rest of THEIR lives and only a PART of yours.

Training your dog

Regardless if you get a puppy or an adult dog, you will most likely need to spend some time (or money on a professional) training them. Some dogs come from abusive homes and need YOU to earn THEIR trust. Some dogs have been tied up outside their whole lives and aren’t house broken. Some might not get along with other dogs, or the opposite sex or even children. Patience and understanding are the most important things during this process. But if you have the time, resources, and care to give to these dogs then you’ll learn how rewarding the hard work is once you and your new companion are on the same page.

Healthy like a horse dog

It’s uncanny how similar dogs and human’s health are alike. We get our yearly physicals, vaccines, allergy medicine, dental cleanings…and so do dogs. We break bones, become ill, get upset tummies, and even face horrific diseases…and so do dogs. We have health insurance…so do dogs. You see where this is going right?

Why you should adopt

An average of 6.3 million animals end up in a shelter annually and 920,000 are sadly euthanatized. Majority of these animals are turned over to the shelters after the holiday season. Even though getting a new dog is a lot of responsibility and hard work—the reward is so much greater.

Dogs can feel your emotions. They can tell when you are happy and when you aren’t doing your best. They’re able to help you in more ways than you know emotionally and physically—that’s why we have emotional support and service dogs, duh! Dogs will give you unconditional love and become your very best friend if you let them. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you’re literally saving a life and giving a dog the chance to have a family it deserved from the beginning.