The above costs do not include any initial adoption fee or purchase cost for the animal. Assuming the average lifespan of a dog is ten years, the estimated cost of owning a dog for its lifetime is over $8300. Owning a pet is often a wonderful experience; however, it requires responsibility and commitment from the owner. Understanding these responsibilities is essential to acquiring a dog and should always be a family decision. Research the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed characteristics to ensure that you get a dog that is appropriate for your lifestyle. It is very important to think about whether you are willing to commit the time, effort and expense required for its proper care before you acquire a dog, not after the dog is in your home!! SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ACQUIRING A DOG: proper food and shelter annual inoculations/tests/checkups neutering/spaying adequate attention and safe exercise care while you vacation/travel known allergies of family members initial and ongoing training licensing medical emergency costs preventing your pet from wandering or becoming a nuisance to others a ten year commitment (or more!) CONSIDER NEUTERING YOUR DOG You really loved him. He was a real one-man dog. Sure, he'd wander sometimes, but that was part of his masculine charm. You wouldn't think of having him altered. You thought is might change his personality. You were wrong. Dead wrong. Most of the pets killed on our roads are unaltered males. Most of the Chessies in rescue are young, unaltered males. When you alter your pet you don't change his masculine charm. You allow him to ignore the urge to dash across that busy street. With the urges in control, he'll be happy to stay at home with you....Happy to be a real one-man dog. BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER! Keep your dog healthy - physically and mentally You need to provide food, water, shelter, exercise, training, and vet care. But, dogs aren't called housepets for nothing; inside the house is where they belong. Dogs should never be left for long periods of time - they crave companionship and should stay in the house with the family whenever possible. This is the nature of dogs. A one-time surgery, A lifetime benefit Spaying or neutering your dog is the single most important step you can take to be a responsible pet owner. The result is that your dog will no longer be able to bring more homeless animals into the world. Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates the possibility of several cancers and prostate disorders - spayed and neutered dogs live longer, healthier lives and make better, more affectionate companions. Obey the law, Protect your dog No matter how careful you are, there's always the chance that you'll lose your dog. License and put an ID tag on your dog before a problem occurs. Exercise Restraint An essential rule is: Off property, On leash. When not confined to your property, your dog MUST be under control. A lifetime commitment Dogs tied or kenneled out in the backyard for long periods of time, crated inside all day or exercised only at their owners' convenience are neglected dogs that are likely to develop serious behavioral problems. It's up to you to provide your dog a "lifetime guarantee" for love, attention and care. - credit for these materials
