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Around four years ago, I made the life-altering decision to buy a dog. I’d grown up with dogs my whole life and somebody at work had a line on an oopsie litter of bird dogs with bloodlines better than the top 1% of Americans. Because it was an unplanned litter (dogs are just like us!), the price was greatly discounted to the point where I had to buy one, over the objections of my long term girlfriend at the time. It was a decision so drastic that I moved apartments and altered my lifestyle greatly to raise a puppy. Was it worth it? Absolutely, but I learned a lot of things along the way that I think are beneficial to anyone looking to get a dog in their 20s.
Dogs are a lot of work.
I’m going to warn you right off the bat: raising a puppy is infinitely harder than you think. It made me realize how not ready I am right now to have kids. It’s going to chew the fuck out of your favorite shoes. It’s going to piss EVERYWHERE in your pad. You’re going to walk around in the blistering cold for 45 minutes waiting for it to shit only to have it beg to go out and actually do the deed five minutes after you get home.
You travel for work for entire weeks? Better find somebody reliable to take care of it or find a good kennel that you trust, which is going to cost you money. My ex-girlfriend and I broke up shortly after I got the dog, and fortunately, I lived close to home so my parents could watch him when I was traveling or wanted a weekend in the city with my friends.
Sidenote: ABSOLUTELY do not get a dog with a significant other unless you’re planning on getting hitched. If you wouldn’t have a kid with the person, don’t get a dog with them. Simple as that.
It costs more than you think.
Shots? $120. Grooming? $75. Food? $40/month. Toys, new crate, dog bed, etc. It adds up fast, even more if you have a large breed. The first year is especially expensive if your breed grows a lot because you’ll have to upgrade the sizes of everything you bought for it. They tear the shit out of the toys you buy for them, and the rawhides you toss them to keep them from bothering you during dinner add up. Budget more than you think to make sure man’s best friend won’t break the bank.
Adopting vs. Using A Breeder
I admire people who will get a rescue dog. People who don’t take care of their dogs fucking suck and it warms my heart when someone else steps up and gives a nice dog a loving home. That being said, that’s not for me. I’ve grown up my entire life with springer spaniels for upland hunting. Based on the dogs I’ve been around and hunted with, I knew I wanted a bird dog that I could mold to my preferences, and that’s fairly tough to do with a rescue. I will say this though: don’t get fucking uppity on me because you have a rescue dog. Guess what? Advertising that is like having a 26.2 sticker on the back of your car. It’s great, but talking and impressing upon it makes you an asshole.
It’s totally okay to be snobby about what breed of dog you’ll get, but if you get a dog that lets you carry it and can’t do tricks, guess what? You have an expensive cat. I’ve seen a lot of girls getting French Bulldogs recently and I can’t imagine a worse dog to have. They breathe loud, have known health issues and can’t even swim. If you’re going all in on being a basic white girl, stick with the Cavalier King Charles, toots.
Don’t pay big money for fake breeds.
Hey yuppies, stop paying $1000 for “cockapoos” and “labradoodles.” They’re not real breeds and you’re getting scammed out of your money. The only dog I would willingly pay a grand for is one that is an American Kennel Club registered breed and has a great bloodline. And that motherfucker better be able to find every bird in the field. Fake dog breeds are just like yoga, kale and Kony: a con game to separate you from your wallet because you’re white and socially inept. If you’re going to shell out big bucks for a dog and it isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed, you just basically said you think Herbalife and Amway aren’t complete pyramid schemes. If you want a mutt, go get a rescue dog and save yourself a lot of money.
Give it a great name.
This is one area that’s tough to judge with dog owners. On one hand, you can give your dog a really fucking stupid name. On the other, you can name your dog whatever you want and it won’t be as bad as naming a human child one of the many variations of Aiden/Kayden/Brayden I’ve seen on Facebook lately. If the dog is any sort of working or hunting dog that’s working off commands, stick with an easy one syllable name (but make to make that paper name something extremely bougie).
If you’re not usually giving commands with your dog, go crazy. If you’re trying out your yuppie millenial street cred, name it Oliver or Cooper or Luna like everyone else. Just don’t give it a real white people name like Jessica or Chelsea or Ryan, because that’s pretty weird. I have a now estranged cousin who named his dog after our dead grandfather and now he doesn’t come to Thanksgiving. Don’t be like him.
Be a responsible owner.
Once you get a hound, be a great owner. Make sure it gets enough exercise and stimulation over the course of a day. Take it out and let it socialize and play with other dogs. If you have a female dog and don’t want it to have puppies, especially unplanned ones, get it spayed. I’m 99.9% sure there’s no Doggie Planned Parenthood. Don’t be the dickhead that has a dog that’s out of control because you didn’t take it to obedience classes and work with it on basic commands. You’re not going to impress many girls at the park by having a dog that’s behaving poorly.
Last, pick up the dog shit. Yeah, I know, it sucks having to carry plastic bags around everywhere but that’s part of the deal. Be a great owner to your dog and you’ll be rewarded with ten to fifteen years of a loyal companion. .
Stock Dog gets a 10/10. Would pet.
I sent this to Dave to edit and his jaw dropped at the photo.
“Stop paying for labradoodles.” -OldManBody
*Stock Photo Dog of the Day: Labradoodle” -Will
My mind works in mysterious ways.
Your ex-girlfriend sounds like a real bitch
I’m 6 months in as a solo dog owner and this all rings true. I would add, don’t get a dog if ‘going out’ is the most important part of your day. Your dog needs attention and deserves to have you most evenings after work.
I’ve been a solo dog owner for 8 years. Got JackJack senior year of college. I’ve never been a part of the happy hour life, but I’m ok with that. Coming home after a long day to a happy pup is amazing.
I am also 6 months into owning a dog solo and my life has pretty much done a 180. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
*sees an article from OldManBody*
via GIPHY
HAHA i thought the username was OldManBrody. i feel deceived.
Actually, I just got a rescue and She only cost $129. She is two years old and came fully vaccinated as well as spayed and neutered. As a black lab / border collie she has a LOT of energy and can really ruin my mornings but she is awesome! I’m actually really stoked to go home right now to see her. Ignoring the advice of this article by bragging, getting a shelter dog was worth it and I will 10/10 do it again.
I also rescued my pup- a 2 yr old beagle. I did it on a donation weekend so I only spent $100. He’s been the best but mornings are rough. I’ve started getting up at five to give him a nice long walk before he gets kenneled for the day. It sucks but he’s happier so I’m happier.
Great read. I’m currently on the lookout for some dalmatians
Just took my pup to the dog park. Good read.
I would add: please don’t get a dog if you live with roommate(s). I’ve literally never seen that situation end well. It’s like the normal resentment roommates occasionally feel X1000. No one will ever love your dog as much as you do. Please don’t put someone in that awkward situation.
My roommate has a teacup chihuahua that is too dumb to be potty trained. I fucking hate that bitch with the passion of 1000 suns.
Great advice. Can’t wait to have the space/time to take care of a German Shorthaired Pointer. In the meantime, chilling in our downtown apartment with my cat Donny.
Honestly I think a GSP is going to be my next dog. I’ve hunted behind a lot of dogs and GSP’s are always the most consistently great gun dogs.
Honestly couldn’t ask for a better dog especially for hunting. I grew up with two and have never seen an animal so perfect for bird hunting without formal training. Never went too far from you, smart as hell, and so pretty and still when they go on point. God I miss them.
GSPs for the win. grew up with a legend of a GSP named Luther- my dad still isn’t ready to get another one after almost ten years. such an underrated breed
Real talk that’s a breed I’ve been looking at. Not bad shedders all things considered right?
I’ve gotten the impression they’re not hard with that problem. Then again, I grew up with springers and everyone I hunt with runs setters so anything is an improvement over those breeds in the shedding category.
Added point: crate train them. It stops them from messing in the house, they have a place they can go hide when they’re feeling anxious, and they’re not taking up the entire bed when you have a special friend over.
big miss on my part, good call. Crate train them right and they whine until you put them to bed when they’re tired at night, it’s amazing.
Few things more satisfying than hunting for your dog to put him to bed, and finding out that he already put himself there.