The Good, the Bad and the Dogly: Pros and Cons of Dog Ownership

They cheer up people who are frowning
And rescue people who are drowning
They also track mud on beds
And chew people’s clothes to shreds. – Ogden Nash*

This wonderful verse excerpt summarises the good and the bad of living with a dog. Dogs are wonderful creatures – I’ve been lucky enough to live with a few of them, but let’s be clear: they’re living beings requiring time, attention and money. Here are some of the pros and cons of welcoming a furry bundle of adorableness (or dirty hairiness) into your life.

Time commitment: All dogs, not just the bigger ones, need to be exercised. Getting out provides the mental stimulation that’s needed, as well as the physical. Obviously the human who is walking the dog will benefit from the outing too, not only physically. On the grumpy days in my life, I always feel happier after being out in the fresh air with my four-legged companion.

Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies. – Gene Hill

Cost: Whether a dog comes from a rescue shelter or a breeder, it will cost money to obtain. Other costs include food, annual vaccinations, sterilisation and other veterinary costs (e.g., worming, tick/flea treatments). Dogs, like babies, also need specialised equipment: a bed or beds, toys, a lead and collar, a crate for the car or living room, and grooming equipment. When your family goes on holidays, your dog will need to stay in a safe environment with a competent person, the costs of which should be considered.

Regulations: Dogs in Switzerland must, by law, be microchipped and registered with the local municipal council. The cost of this annual fee varies among municipalities. Within twelve months of getting a dog, the owner is required to complete a recognised theoretical course as well as a practical course with the dog present. (Update – the regulation about doing a compulsory course with your dog is no longer relevant but it is still a good idea to do one, especially if you’re a first-time dog owner.)

What dog to get: Consider the size of your home and garden, how much time you have and how active you are. Specific breeds have specific temperaments. For example, some may be more relaxed, sportier, or better guard dogs. The American Kennel Club has a list of dogs and their characteristics, plus a simple quiz to do. Although the quiz is brief, it still might help in the decision making.

Rescue (shelter) dog or a pup from a breeder? There are many dog charities rehoming dogs of diverse breeds and ages who are homeless through no fault of their own. Perhaps a new landlord won’t allow pets, an allergy has been discovered in a family member, or the owner is working longer hours.

There are also dog charities that try to give homeless dogs from Spain, Romania, Hungary and other countries a second chance. The advantage to getting an adult dog is that he has passed the chewing stage of puppyhood, is usually already sterilised, and his exact size is already known. His temperament and suitability with adults, kids, and other pets will have been checked by the dog rescue organisation. A rescue dog may have some bad habits or still need some training, but often before being rehomed, these dogs have stayed with a foster carer and have had some extra training from the carer. Sometimes there are also puppies available from dog rescue organisations.

A puppy from a breeder will undoubtedly be cute. The dog grows up in your household, and although he’s likely to have his own quirks, you can train him the way you wish. It’s important to buy the pup from a reputable breeder and ensure it has been seen by a vet and has no congenital health problems, which certain breeds are prone to.

Lifespan: Big dogs, 40 kilograms and over, live an average of eight years, while their smaller and middle-sized cousins live to around eleven years. Imagine welcoming a dog into your life now; then think about what stage you’ll be at in ten years’ time. If your child is 12 years old, for example, she could be aged 22 and already out of the house, while you’re still caring for the dog. My last dog, Daisy, an Australian Kelpie, lived until she was 18 years of age (bless her little paws). This is above the average age, but your dog could live this long, too.

Your two-legged children: Your children will love their four-legged sibling and vice versa. For kids, a dog is a best friend, confidant, and a toy that requires no batteries. For teens and tweens dealing with emotional highs and lows, the dog is an age-appropriate teddy bear who can be cried on and cuddled up to, and a stress reliever to run free with. This article argues that children who grow up with pets have a higher emotional intelligence. Whether that’s true or not, kids are certainly likely to experience compassion, kindness, and responsibility from living with a dog or other pet.

The Good, the Bad and the Dogly: Firstly, in brief, reasons not to get a dog –The dog must be walked daily; it can be expensive; your sofa, shoes and the children’s homework may be chewed up; the dog needs somewhere to stay when you go on holiday; dogs cannot be taken everywhere so limits your days out. It might bite, you could step in its poo, and dogs shed hair.

And, in brief, reasons to get a dog: Unconditional love, fun, a compulsory exercise regime, a child’s confidant, and stress reduction. A dog can improve home security and children’s immunity,** and a dog is always happy to see you.

Harry S. Truman said, ‘‘Children and dogs are as necessary to the welfare of the country as Wall Street and the railroads.’’ Well said, Harry – I couldn’t agree more.

(See below for useful links on finding and keeping pets in Switzerland.)

By Andrea Snashall

Andrea and her family’s current dog is Luna, a mixed-breed dog of great charm and character who came to Switzerland from Romania through a dog rescue organisation. Luna alternates sleeping on her two-legged sister’s bed for one week, with the next week on her brother’s bed, thus keeping everyone happy.

Illustrations by Kiki Kaisserian based on photos used with permission.

Kiki Kaisserian is an Australian artist and maker who works in many mediums. She has two adult children and lives in a small country town. Her work can be seen here.

*Extract is from An Introduction to Dogs by Ogden Nash. (Notice how he’s got the word “dog” in his first name? No wonder he was such a good poet.)

**Source: a Time Magazine article from 2012. The Internet is full of stories about dogs and other pets boosting a child’s immune system.

Useful links

Tierdatenbank.ch is a Swiss database for dogs and other domestic animals needing a home, plus those that are missing, in German, French and Italian.

Sternen Tiere is a dog and pet rescue organisation that has Swiss and international dogs available to adopt.

Animal Happy End is a dog rescue organisation that has Swiss and international dogs available to adopt.

Tiervermittlungen CH is a dog rescue organisation that has Swiss and international dogs available to adopt.

Information about importing your dog into Switzerland.

Regulations on importing a dog into Switzerland: For example, dogs with docked tails and ears are forbidden in this country.

Article about the regulations on keeping (all) animals in Switzerland. For example, guinea pigs and rabbits must be kept in pairs.

Dogs weighing eight kilograms and under are allowed to fly in the cabin in most European countries. For more information, click here.

Find a registered trainer for the  dog owner’s course here.

And, lastly, just for fun, the most popular dog names in Switzerland in 2014:

Bitches: 1. Luna, 2. Emma, 3. Bella, 4. Amy, 5. Kira, 6. Lilly, 7. Lucy, 8. Paula, 9. Nala, 10. Mia.

Dogs: 1. Rocky, 2. Sammy, 3. Max, 4. Sam, 5. Balu, 6. Lucky. 7. Buddy, 8. Bruno, 9. Charly 10. Paul.