Like most pets and animals, dogs also display differences in behaviour and in needs. In fact, no two dogs act the same!

Even so, getting an insight into the behaviour of dogs will help you better understand your pet.

This guide is a basic introduction into the welfare of dogs. You will find dog care tips and health information on owning a dog.

In most cases, canines are affectionate animals. Along with cats, kittens, and monkeys, they are among the most playful of all pets.

But, several factors influence how well they thrive in their environment. You will have to consider their dietary requirements as well as the general health and welfare needs of dogs.

Are you looking after a dog?

Dogs are active creatures and they will need some space to assert their existence. Even so, your dog will also appreciate regular interaction with people and with other animals.

As a rule, canines are not solitary animals. Thus, most dogs would prefer not to be alone or left by themselves for long periods in the day time.

You must provide your pet with access to clean water. They will need some kind of meat-based dog food. Dogs also need regular grooming, much like horses, although it’s a lot easier to groom a pet dog.

Caring for a dog at home means providing them with somewhere to carry out their biological functions. So, you should make sure they have access to a place to relieve themselves.

Note: You must follow dog fouling laws if your pet messes in a public place. Defra Code of Practice for the welfare of dogs applies to the care of all canines in the United Kingdom.

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Welfare Needs of Dogs and Puppies

You may need to care for a pet dog for up to 13 years. Even though some live will live for longer, thirteen is the average lifespan for dogs.

In some cases, keeping an active household pet for that length of time might be too much of a commitment for some families. So, you should consider all the factors that may affect your ability to care for a dog. Owning a dog does not suit everyone!

You should take the size and the location of your property into consideration. Looking after a dog as a pet can be a financial commitment – not to mention the time implications involved.

In case you were wondering:

Caring for a dog can sometimes be an expensive experience. Can you meet the cost of keeping a dog and can you pay for pet health insurance? Dog welfare is most likely to include paying for routine and unexpected veterinary treatment.

It would be wrong to say that all dogs can be ‘properly’ cared for in one single ‘correct’ way. Every dog and every puppy is different and has different needs for each situation.

It is the responsibility of the dog owner to determine their precise requirements. That said, caring for canines will mean taking all reasonable steps to ensure:

• There is a suitable environment for the animal to live in.
• You are providing them with a suitable and appropriate diet.
• The pet is able to exhibit its normal behavioural patterns.
• You house it with, or keep it separate from, other animals and pets.
• The animal is protected from injury and disease, and from pain or suffering.

The full responsibility for meeting a dog’s needs rests with the pet owner. So, as a parent or a guardian of a child under 16, you would also be responsible for any animal that your child owns – or is in charge of!

UK law on pet ownership remains unchanged even in a situation where you are unable to care for your dog. Thus, you would need to make arrangements for another suitable person to look after the pet on your behalf.

UK law on pet ownership remains unchanged even in a situation where you are unable to care for your dog. Thus, you would need to make arrangements for another suitable person to look after the pet on your behalf.

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