- Sort out your living situation: landlord's permission, apartment size, surroundings
- Finances: budget 100-300 euros in monthly costs, plus an emergency reserve
- Time: at least 2-3 hours a day for walks, grooming and training
- Choose a breed that fits your lifestyle (energy level, grooming needs, size)
- Puppy vs. adult dog: different demands
- Vet the breeder carefully, avoid extreme breeding
Living situation
If you rent, you need written permission from your landlord. Moving later with a dog is harder, because many landlords don't accept dogs.
Apartment size: A large dog needs more space. A Labrador in a 40-square-meter apartment doesn't work. Small breeds get by in smaller apartments too, as long as they get enough exercise.
Surroundings: Parks, meadows and woods nearby make daily life easier. In a pure inner-city location with little green space, every walk becomes a chore.
Other pets: Cats and dogs can live together, but they need a slow introduction. More on this: Getting a dog and cat used to each other.
Health
Dogs need daily exercise, 2 hours or more for active breeds. If you're physically limited, choose a calmer breed (e.g. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese).
Test for allergies beforehand. Dog allergies affect about 10% of the population. Before buying, spend time with dogs of the same breed to rule out allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic breeds (Poodle, Labradoodle) produce fewer allergens, but no dog is completely allergen-free.
Finances
| Type of cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase (shelter) | 150-300 euros |
| Purchase (breeder) | 500-2,500 euros |
| Initial supplies | 200-500 euros |
| Monthly ongoing costs | 100-300 euros |
| Dog tax | 60-240 euros/year |
| Liability insurance | approx. 60 euros/year |
| Emergency reserve | min. 2,000 euros |
Detailed cost breakdown: How much does a dog cost?
Time
Daily time commitment: 2-3 hours for walks, feeding, grooming and activity. Considerably more for puppies (house-training, raising them, shorter intervals between walks).
Work situation: Dogs can be left alone for 4-6 hours at most, puppies far less. If you work full-time away from home, you need a care solution (dog sitter, dog walker, an office that allows dogs). Dog care costs 15-30 euros a day.
Vacation: Not every accommodation allows dogs. Dog hotels or boarding kennels cost 20-40 euros a day. So for a two-week vacation, that's 280-560 euros. Alternatively: plan a vacation with your dog. More on this: Vacation with a dog.
Which breed fits?
The breed determines energy level, grooming needs and character. An Australian Shepherd needs 2+ hours of exercise and mental stimulation a day, while an English Bulldog is happy with short walks.
Good for first-time owners: Golden Retriever, Labrador, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese. Calm temperament, easy to train, good family dogs.
For active people: Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Weimaraner. They need plenty of exercise and mental work.
Allergy-friendly: Poodle, Labradoodle, Portuguese Water Dog. Less shedding, but not completely allergen-free.
Proof of expertise: In some German states (e.g. North Rhine-Westphalia) it's mandatory for dogs over 20 kg or 40 cm at the shoulder. For listed breeds (Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire), special requirements and higher dog taxes apply (up to 900 euros/year).
Puppy or adult dog?
| Criterion | Puppy | Adult dog |
|---|---|---|
| Time commitment | Very high (house-training, raising, short intervals) | Moderate (basic rules mostly known) |
| Building a bond | From the start, intense imprinting possible | Character already established |
| Training | Train everything from scratch | Basic commands often already known |
| Being left alone | Build up slowly at first (weeks to months) | Usually possible sooner |
| Costs | Higher (vaccinations, neutering, more vet visits in year 1) | Lower (shelter dogs often already taken care of) |
Puppies need almost round-the-clock care in the first few weeks. Plan at least 2 weeks of vacation for the settling-in period.
Adult dogs from a shelter may have a history (trauma, behavioral issues). Find out about the dog beforehand and visit several times to get a realistic picture.
Breeder or shelter?
How to spot a reputable breeder
- Member of a recognized breeding association (VDH, FCI)
- Shows health certificates for the parent animals (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye exam)
- Puppies grow up in the family, not in a kennel
- Answers all your questions openly and doesn't push you to buy
- Offers a written purchase contract with a health guarantee
- Lets you tour the breeding facility and see the mother dog
Warning signs: Puppies in parking lots, no visit to the breeding facility allowed, no papers, price well below the breed average, several breeds offered at once.
Avoiding extreme breeding
Flat-faced breeds (Pug, French Bulldog) often suffer from breathing problems. Long-backed breeds (Dachshund) from slipped discs. These health problems cause lifelong vet costs and limit quality of life. If you still decide on one of these breeds: choose breeders who can demonstrably show they breed for health rather than extreme features.
Shelter
The adoption fee (150-300 euros) covers vaccinations, a microchip and often neutering. Visit the dog several times, take it for walks, observe its behavior. Dogs from international animal rescue can be placed without any prior contact. Foster homes are the better option here, because you can get to know the dog in everyday family life.
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Question 1 of 3How much time does a dog need every day at a minimum?
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