Before You Get a Dog: A Beginner's Guide
Getting a dog is a 10–15 year commitment. These guides help you decide honestly whether now is the right time, what it really costs, and how to find the right dog from a good source.
Are You Ready for a Dog? An Honest Checklist for First-Time Owners
Time, money, housing, travel, allergies and kids: an honest checklist to help you decide whether now is the right time to get your first dog.
How Much Does a Dog Cost? First-Year and Monthly Costs Explained
A realistic breakdown of what a dog costs: adoption or purchase price, first-year setup, monthly food and care, vet bills, insurance and hidden costs.
Puppy or Adult Dog? How to Decide What's Right for You
Puppies are adorable but a lot of work. Compare puppies, adolescents, adults and senior dogs to find the best choice for a first-time owner.
Purebred or Mixed Breed? Breeder or Shelter? Pros and Cons
Should you get a purebred dog or a mixed breed, from a breeder or a shelter? An honest look at predictability, health, cost and ethics.
How to Choose a Dog Breed: Size, Energy, Coat and Temperament
A step-by-step guide to choosing the right dog breed for your lifestyle: size, energy level, grooming, shedding, trainability, apartment living and family life.
How to Find a Responsible Dog Breeder (and Avoid Puppy Mills)
How to recognize a responsible dog breeder, what health tests to ask for, questions to ask, red flags of puppy mills and how to avoid online puppy scams.
How to Adopt a Dog from a Shelter or Rescue: Step by Step
Everything you need to know about adopting a dog: shelters vs rescues, the application process, choosing the right dog, questions to ask and the first weeks.
12 Dog Myths First-Time Owners Still Believe
Do small dogs need walks? Are some breeds really hypoallergenic? Is a wet nose a sign of health? We bust 12 common dog myths with facts.