Pros & Cons of Owning a Dog

Dogs are considered to be "man's best friend" for a plethora of reasons. They are loyal, affectionate and, depending on breed and size, can be a great home defense system. However, while owning a dog can be incredibly rewarding, it also requires quite a bit of responsibility as well as time and financial investment. Know the pros and cons of owning a dog before taking on the responsibility.

  1. Pro: Health Benefits

    • According to a study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, pet owners are more likely to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol than non-pet owners. Dog owners also were found to be less likely than cat owners to suffer both minor and major ailments and medical problems. In addition, because dogs need exercise such as walking and jogging every day, their owners tend to get more exercise than non-dog owners.

    Con: Time Investment

    • Though a dog's need for daily exercise may have a positive effect on its owner's health, it may be a detriment to those whose lives are already jam-packed with necessary tasks. In addition to exercise, dogs need attention and love from their owners on a daily basis. In fact, unlike other pets such as cats, fish and birds, dogs suffer separation anxiety if they are away from their owners for too long.

    Pro: Loyalty

    • The same part of a dog's personality that causes it to suffer separation anxiety makes it an incredibly loyal and affectionate part of any household. Because dogs are pack animals, a dog is instinctively loyal to the alpha dog in their lives -- in the case of a domestic pet, that's its owner. There have been reports of dogs refusing to leave their injured owners' and other dogs' sides during natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

    Con: Training

    • Any dog introduced to a new household will need at least some training so it learns not to chew on household items, go to the bathroom in unwelcome places and become territorial. This is particularly true for those who choose to adopt puppies. Training can be a huge time investment on top of the time you must already spend caring for the dog.