What is the appropriate age to have your "own" dog?

[Boemy]

It depends on the kid. I got my first dog when I was twelve or so, after years of begging.

Now, I was a reading kid. I loved to read. So when my folks wouldn't get a dog when I first asked, I went to the library and read every book on dog training and dog care they had, as well as memorizing all the AKC breeds and a few extra breeds (not on purpose, but one of the books had illustrations of all of them.)

At the point where I was leaning out the car window excitedly shouting, "Look, a bichon frise!", my parents decided I was serious about this dog thing and we went to the animal shelter.

I don't regret them making me wait, though, because I learned so much about dogs from those books, including why pet shops are bad and why backyard breeders should be avoided. I think a good way to see if a kid is "ready" is to insist that they "go through the motions" of feeding and walking the "dog" before you actually get the dog . . . Like if you intend to get a medium breed that needs to be walked an hour, the kid has to walk for an hour every day at the same time as he'd walk the dog. If they do that for six months, they're more likely to actually do it when the real dog arrives. Although parents should always be prepared to step in if the kid doesn't live up to his responsibilities, for the dog's sake.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Good question.

All the pets my brother and I had when we were young were family pets. When we were high school age, a cat followed him and my mom around and we called her his cat, but he didn't really care for her. When my parents moved to the hills, he took her so that mountain lions wouldn't get her.

When I was a senior, I think, in high school, I went to a local pet shop. I forget what I needed to get, but the dude had this horrible looking cat there. I was appalled, I demanded he take him to the vet to get care and he didn't do it.

I went back with a friend and I demanded that he give me the cat. He said I could have it for free (I had never intended to pay, lol) and I took him. I have a knack for finding animals that need medical care. The vet gave me medicine for him and I spent tons of my hard earned senior money on his care. He had an anti-bacterial infection, he had ringworm over 100% of his body and he was dehydrated and nearly starved. He required baths everyday to combat the ringworm and expensive medication for a couple months.

He was my first animal that was all mine. My deep love for animals had already been ingrained by then, but it grew as I cared for him. I guess all the animals that need medical help find me, lol, because they know I'd move heaven and earth to care for them.

So, my thought that the age that which is appropriate to have someone's own dog, or any animal, at that, is the age at which someone is able to assume full responsibility for the animal. To provide training, love, food, care for that animal. It's no small task. Maybe it happens at 17 for some, maybe 22, 30, for others. But there is no set age because someone at 30 may not be as mature as someone at 17, lol. Funny how that works out.

 

[Lizmo]

I, too, think it depends on the maturity of the child and how willing they are to take complete care of the dog. And also do what's best for the dog.

I only know of one other person -my age- besides myself that is willing to do that.

 

[RD]

Hm, hard to say. I'm 17 and still not fully financially responsible for my dog. My parents pay for most of Eve's vet care and food, I pay for everything else.

I'm similar to Toller. My social life is lacking a bit (ok, a lot) because I choose to spend most of my spare time with my dogs. Truth be told, I continued home-school as opposed to going to public school because I enjoyed being able to be home with my dogs. Instead of going to movies several times a week with my friends, I do herding lessons or visit the dog park. It's a different lifestyle than most teenagers live, I guess. I don't have much money to spend on frivolous little things anymore, but my dogs are worth it.

I think if a person isn't willing to prioritize and make time for their dog (and I feel that dogs are far more time-intensive than money-intensive) then they shouldn't have one, no matter what their age.

 

[2BlackDogs]

I think maturity plays a big role. my daughter is 4. When we first got Dixie she told everyone it was her puppy. She helped feed her, brush her bathe her and play with her. After a month or 2 she'd tell me "no mama i don't wanna feed Dixie, you do it" Which I then explain to her that Dixie must eat and you must feed her. You can't not feed her for a day just because you don't want to. And she's still little. But she understands to a point. It's just something that once you explain it to her she's like "oooohhh Ok. Let me go feed her"
Alot has to do with parents too. I'm sure if i just told her "OK I'll feed her then" she'll know that anytime she don't want to I"ll pick up the dishes and do it. She's still learning.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I'm I'm a pragmatic soul, if you are not paying 100% of the bills..INCLUDING the rent on the "kennel"...that means the home you house your dog in, or the pet deposit and part of the rent, if you live in an apartment with your parents...well, you know. Who we fooling here lol.

Should "your" dog bite or destroy property anyone under age 18 isn't going to bear any responsibility legally for that. Buying the dog? Contracts cannot legally be made with minors in many states...so there ya go on that one.

IMO financial bears a lot more weight than emotional or chores. If you are not paying 100% for the dog up to and including opening a line of credit when disaster strikes...and including the mortgage or rent....then well...emotional owning is what you got.

The lights you turn on in the garage to feed the dog,...the water you fill the bowl with...the trashmen who comes to pick up the baggied poops every week...the homeowners insurance....the car your dog is transported in to vet visits...etc...all lesser known dog related expenses...and who is paying those?

Everything in my home...is legally my and DH's financial responsibility, as we are the adults in the eyes of the law. That includes the kiddos and dogs...and when my son or daughter lives in the same circumstance on their own...then they too will have "their own dogs".

 

[Southpaw]

It depends. Lucy is supposed to be "my" dog, I got her just a couple months before I turned 15. I paid for her, train her, and if I had some sort of income I'd be paying for everything as well. I don't really view her as my dog, actually... I've already decided I won't take her when I move out and I know my mom is way more attached to her than I could ever be. But of course whenever she misbehaves I get the, "she's YOUR dog!!" thing shoved down my throat.

But I know plenty of people my age who couldn't be trusted with anything other than a pet rock... I'm just used to taking care of animals. "MY" first real pet was my hamster when I was 10 years old; I wasn't responsible financially but other than that, my family had nothing to do with him. I've also had other hamsters, and rats, and it just doesn't bother me to have the responsibility of an animal.

Sooo yeah... it's not something you can really put an age on. Our cat is technically mine as well, and we've had him since I was 10. Caring for cats is quite a bit different than dogs, but y'know... how many 10 year olds will clean a litter box with no complaint lol.

 

[Herschel]

Should "your" dog bite or destroy property anyone under age 18 isn't going to bear any responsibility legally for that. Buying the dog? Contracts cannot legally be made with minors in many states...so there ya go on that one.

IMO financial bears a lot more weight than emotional or chores. If you are not paying 100% for the dog up to and including opening a line of credit when disaster strikes...and including the mortgage or rent....then well...emotional owning is what you got.

I think this is a really important post. Thank you!

What does it really mean to call a dog your own? It is complete and total responsibility. As much as a most of the minors in this thread would like to have that, it isn't going to happen. Legally, the responsibility for the animal lies with the parents. In most cases, even if the child pays for food, leashes, toys, veterinary care, etc., the home, yard, heating, and air conditioning are all covered by the parents.

I believe that a dog living at home with a family is a family dog. You may want to say that it is your own, but it lives with the family, interacts with the family, and can depend on the family for its care. You may be the primary caregiver, but it is still a family pet.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Instead of going to movies several times a week with my friends, I do herding lessons or visit the dog park.

Graceee, you should do what I did... force your friends to accompany you to classes and the dog park! Seriously. My close friends, even those who don't own dogs, are now dog park addicts, and call me all the time suggesting that we dog-park-it. ;D

It really is pure entertainment, especially with all the weird people that show up. heheh.

 

[FoxyWench]

well oficially i got MY first dog when i was 7, King, my dane, i rescued him from a bad breeder using my poscket money (aprox $10) before he was going to be drowned. i used my savings to buy him puppy forumalr and puppy food and hid him from my parents for about a month. by the time they realized i had him (not easy to hide with a dog as large as a dane) id already proven over that month i could not only raise but handle and train my dog (i had him sitting, down and stay by 8 weeks of age) they let me keep him on the stipulation, i would earn the money for his food (my posket money) i had to excersize him ad take him out and do all the care...
the only thing they would help me with was the shots because id already spent most of my money on those first 4 weeks, so they loaned me the money for his shots through a lowcost clinic, and i had to "work" more chores to earn the pocket money and pay them back, they even charged me interest on the loan.

their hopes were that after a few months of doing this and after realizing the financial responsibility id not want him anymore and we would rehome him...

while the other kids were spending their money on sweets i was buying dog food...i even started helping other people weed their gardens and mow the lawn to earn extra to buy him toys and a nice collar.
i trained him myself and did everything for him. at 7 yrs old i was 99% responsible for that dog (i say 99% because by law a 7 yr old cannot be legally responsible for a dog, and my loans for more expensive stuff came from my parents...and they have never NOT been paid back!)
King lived with me, slept in my bed and was my responsibility untill he passed away of old age in his sleep...it was then my responsibility to have him cremated.

our other dog megwe got when i was 5 and she was the family dog.

after moving here to the us i waited a few years before deciding to get another dog as my very own...i wanted to finnish up highschool and get settled in the new country first. when i was 19 i got vixie, then 1 yr later dodger then reacently Ruby.
i am 100% financially, legally and emotionally responsible for my dogs, i pay for vet, food and training, i do the training and everythign myself. i have a credit card and savings account specifically for emergency vet care and they are MY dogs...even when i go away for a weekend i pay my sister to care for the dogs just as i would a kennel.

this all being said, i do not think an average 7 yr old is old enough to be responsible or claim a dog is truly theirs...however i was and because of this i feel the likes of when is the right age to let a person take on that responsibility should be a case by case basis.

 

[Whisper]

Hm, hard to say. I'm 17 and still not fully financially responsible for my dog. My parents pay for most of Eve's vet care and food, I pay for everything else.

I'm similar to Toller. My social life is lacking a bit (ok, a lot) because I choose to spend most of my spare time with my dogs. Truth be told, I continued home-school as opposed to going to public school because I enjoyed being able to be home with my dogs. Instead of going to movies several times a week with my friends, I do herding lessons or visit the dog park. It's a different lifestyle than most teenagers live, I guess. I don't have much money to spend on frivolous little things anymore, but my dogs are worth it.

I think if a person isn't willing to prioritize and make time for their dog (and I feel that dogs are far more time-intensive than money-intensive) then they shouldn't have one, no matter what their age.

A big ditto to everything, and definitely relate to you in the middle paragraph.

 

[Laurelin]

I got Nik at 9 years old. I fed her,trained her and even found the breeder (though I did a crappy job there). I haven't had her for three years now since she's at home and I'm at school. I miss her terribly.

Honestly, she's a family dog, though she's still 'mine' and she knows she's mine too. Trey thinks he's mine as well. When I'm home I actually do the vast majority of all the dogs' care- exercise, food, bathing, grooming, training, etc.

But I'm really looking to get my first dog that is soley mine in the next year or so.

 

[Lizmo]

Graceee, you should do what I did... force your friends to accompany you to classes and the dog park! Seriously. My close friends, even those who don't own dogs, are now dog park addicts, and call me all the time suggesting that we dog-park-it. ;D

Uh huh! I do this too

 

[Brattina88]

Graceee, you should do what I did... force your friends to accompany you to classes and the dog park! Seriously. My close friends, even those who don't own dogs, are now dog park addicts, and call me all the time suggesting that we dog-park-it. ;D

It really is pure entertainment, especially with all the weird people that show up. heheh.

Heh heh... ME Too!!!

My Best Friend doesn't have a dog, yet (she's waiting for the right time, scheds to crazy to adopt right now. Maybe in a couple of years) but she enjoys going to the animal shelter with me to volunteer, calls me to walk the dogs with me, go to dog parks, training classes, etc.

That's how I can tell the difference between my real friends !

I very much sacrificed my social life, especially in high school, to take care of MY dogs (and helped the family with foster dogs as well). I had training classes, couldn't 'hang out' after school, had to go home and walk/train/socialize/ just be with the dogs, etc. I had friends get irritated with me, they would ask if I would spend the night, I would say I can't because I had to take care of the dogs, whatever - they thought that was a "lame" excuse. I heard "your parents can just take care of them" a lot. But, No, she was MY dog, so I had to. I got a job as soon as I aged so I could pay for everything. All of that - It was way worth it! The dogs will always be there, loyal, and do you know how many people from high school I still talk to? One or two, hardly

I don't know anyone in my area, that young, who I would think is able to handle that responsibility. I see them here on Chaz, though
I also see A LOT of dogs at the local animal shelter, their tag on the cage often says stuff like 'the kids promised to take care of them, and lost interest' -- I personally think its APPALLING! Parents -- allowing them to learn that instead of working and taking care of an animal, even when the newness wheres off, its okay to dispose of them I think the parents have to be willing, too. Because What happens if the child loses interest? Goes to college? etc

 

[Sweet72947]

I'm curious. I'm 25 living with my parents. I consider Daisy my dog. I pay for her vet bills, I paid for the training class she went through, I pay for boarding costs, food, the car she is transported in I paid for with my own money and I pay for the insurance and anything that has to be fixed. I take her for walks and shed her out. Every command she knows I taught her (sit, stay, down, come, leave-it, shake, working on heel). But I don't pay for the house or the utilities. So is she a family dog?

Benji is supposed to belong to my sister. She sometimes pays for his vet bills (or I should say, she sometimes pays me back for his vet bills), and she paid for the training class he is in right now. I pay for some of his stuff too. I take him to the groomer and to the vet. I pay for his food too because he and Daisy eat the same food. My mom sometimes brushes him. My sister spends time with Benji when she isn't at school, at work or out with friends. My sister owns her car too. My sister is 20 but she isn't near as responsible as some of the younger kids on here.

(To answer questions of the OP:The rescue I'm with doesn't adopt dogs to people under 18. The law here and many other places also states that people under 18 can't be held accountable for a pet.)

 

[StillandSilent]

I'm 22 and not ready for the total reponsibility. Right now, I have the money and the time, but once I find that elusive full time job, I might not. So I need to wait until I'm settled in before I can consider a dog that is entirely mine.
I originally planned to take the babies when I moved out, but as a family we decided that it would be better for them to stay with my parents. They are both elderly and I don't think it's right to force them into a new routine this late in life.
However, I do everything for the Angry Puss, and he will be comeing with me. I pay his vet bills, buy his food and litter, and spend all my time with him. I even sucked it up and payed his $800 emergency vet bill. (Goodbye savings.)
In five or six years, when I am settled and have more money coming in, I will consider a dog that can be entirely mine. Until then? Nope.

 

[malmo]

I'm 22 and not ready for the total reponsibility. Right now, I have the money and the time, but once I find that elusive full time job, I might not. So I need to wait until I'm settled in before I can consider a dog that is entirely mine.
I originally planned to take the babies when I moved out, but as a family we decided that it would be better for them to stay with my parents. They are both elderly and I don't think it's right to force them into a new routine this late in life.
However, I do everything for the Angry Puss, and he will be comeing with me. I pay his vet bills, buy his food and litter, and spend all my time with him. I even sucked it up and payed his $800 emergency vet bill. (Goodbye savings.)
In five or six years, when I am settled and have more money coming in, I will consider a dog that can be entirely mine. Until then? Nope.

This all seems reasonable to me, and especially so because it is based on your own life experiences. You have felt the pinch of emergency vet bills and you understand well what happens when a pet's routine is dramatically disrupted.

Best of luck to you and your fortunate future pet.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Unless one bears all the financial responsibility.. I don't think it is 'your' dog. I begged for more than half my life that I wanted one. Then when Cider fell into my lap I wasn't ready. I couldn't pay for her stuff. Took about 6 months of my mom helping me out.. but ever since, food, vet, classes, etc has been my problem not theres. I wouldn't have dreamed about getting dog two if I still needed help for care.

It's nice to hear how responsible so many people's kids are.. but if something happened it's the parents who have to deal with issues, not the kids. So in theory it's the child's pet.. but.. I don't think till you are having to do everything yourself is it their pet. That said, I've known minors who have moved out and been totally responsible for animals. But takes a lot to be able to do that while young.

 

[Rosefern]

So what is the right age to adopt a puppy and call it your own? I think it varies, based on the individual, and their family situation. We raised Rhodesian Ridgebacks growing up, so they were "family dogs" - we all took care of and trained them. But the first dog that was "mine" I got when I was eleven.

By the way, if you are a breeder/rescuer, do you have a minimum age requirement? When we bred, we didn't have a set minimum age requirement. Most of our dogs were working lines, and they went to working/breeding/show homes...all the people were over 18, obviously. Our rescue requires people to be 21 to adopt a dog.

-Rosefern

 

[Herschel]

I'm 22 and not ready for the total reponsibility. Right now, I have the money and the time, but once I find that elusive full time job, I might not. So I need to wait until I'm settled in before I can consider a dog that is entirely mine.
I originally planned to take the babies when I moved out, but as a family we decided that it would be better for them to stay with my parents. They are both elderly and I don't think it's right to force them into a new routine this late in life.
However, I do everything for the Angry Puss, and he will be comeing with me. I pay his vet bills, buy his food and litter, and spend all my time with him. I even sucked it up and payed his $800 emergency vet bill. (Goodbye savings.)
In five or six years, when I am settled and have more money coming in, I will consider a dog that can be entirely mine. Until then? Nope.

Unless one bears all the financial responsibility.. I don't think it is 'your' dog. I begged for more than half my life that I wanted one. Then when Cider fell into my lap I wasn't ready. I couldn't pay for her stuff. Took about 6 months of my mom helping me out.. but ever since, food, vet, classes, etc has been my problem not theres. I wouldn't have dreamed about getting dog two if I still needed help for care.

It's nice to hear how responsible so many people's kids are.. but if something happened it's the parents who have to deal with issues, not the kids. So in theory it's the child's pet.. but.. I don't think till you are having to do everything yourself is it their pet. That said, I've known minors who have moved out and been totally responsible for animals. But takes a lot to be able to do that while young.

Thank you both for being so honest.