Back HomeFinding a Dog Friendly Home
July 18th, 2011 by keithandkinsey
Thirty-nine percent of US households have dogs. If you have a dog or are considering getting one, make sure you consider your K9 friend when buying a home. Kinsey and I have been dog owners most of our lives. Here are the 6 major considerations for us.
Commute: This is the number one thing you should think about. If you are at work late or meeting up with friends for dinner – how long will it take you to get home to let out and feed Fido between these events?
Space: The size of your yard and interior can be a big factor in keeping you and your dog happy. How much energy does your dog have to burn playing in the yard? How much space does their crate, bed, dishes, toys and food storage take inside the house?
Proximity to Dog Park or Walking Trails: Being close to a dog park or trails can be a great alternative to a large yard. We live in a condo and frequently find ourselves running trails with our 2 year old Boston Terrier or headed to one of the local dog parks to burn off her excess energy.
Fences or Kennels: If you want to contain your dog off leash, does the neighborhood association allow you to put up a fence or erect a kennel? Many associations have restrictions or specific material requirements, and some can be quite costly.
Stairs: You may not have considered this yet, but your dog will get old someday. Many dogs have hip and joint problems or arthritis as they get older. Our 11 year old Rottweiler can’t do stairs anymore because of her arthritis. We are very fortunate the main level of our condo has no steps in or out to the patio.
Doggy Daycare: If you travel for work, or your dog needs more attention than you have time, how close is the nearest pet lodge? The costs for day care can add up too, make sure you budget accordingly.
A fewother factors to consider: What are the flooring materials in your future home? How far are you from the vet, pet store, or groomer? Pet claws can be harsh on laminate and wood flooring. A commute for a physical to a vet 30 minutes away can take up the better part of a morning and time off from work. Dogs are great, take it from us. They provide us devotion and companionship. They may not ask it but they do need to be factored in when making choosing their new domain!
