Choosing the right dog: questions to ask before you fall in love

A dog lives ten to fifteen years on average. Choosing one on impulse, because a puppy looked irresistible in a photo, is the leading cause of abandonment: a few months later the dog has grown, it needs time, space and money, and the family wasn’t ready. Before you browse the listings, take an hour to answer the questions below honestly. They will spare you a lot of regret, and spare a dog from having to change homes.

How much time do you really have?

This is the most important question, and the one we fool ourselves about most easily. An adult dog needs at least two or three outings a day, including one proper walk. A puppy needs far more: trips outside every two hours at first, house-training, training and company.

Count up an ordinary day, not an ideal weekend. If the house is empty from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., a puppy is not a good idea, and neither is a very active dog. A calm adult dog that is already trained copes better with a few hours alone, as long as it goes out before and after.

Also ask yourself who will look after the dog during holidays, trips and Ramadan, when the household’s timetable changes. Having a care plan in place before the dog arrives is already the mark of a good owner.

Your home and your neighbourhood

You can absolutely keep a dog in a flat, even a large one, if it gets out enough. What matters is less the floor space than access to the outdoors: is there a park, open ground or a seafront within a ten-minute walk? Are the pavements usable?

A few things to check before you commit:

• your building rules or tenancy agreement: some ban or restrict pets;
• whether your neighbours will mind if the dog barks while you are out;
• whether there is a lift, for an older or larger dog;
• a secure terrace or courtyard, which helps but never replaces walks.

A house with a garden doesn’t mean you can skip walks. A dog left alone in a garden gets bored, digs, barks and ends up with behaviour problems.

The real cost of a dog

The purchase price or adoption fee is only the start. Over a year, budget at least for:

• food, whose cost rises steeply with the size of the dog;
• vaccines and boosters, dewormers and parasite treatments;
• one or two vet visits, plus a reserve for the unexpected;
• starter equipment: lead, collar or harness, bowls, bed, toys;
• grooming for long-haired or curly-coated breeds;
• care while you are away.

A large dog easily costs three to four times more to feed than a small one. If your budget is tight, a well-cared-for small or medium dog is better than a large dog fed on the cheap. To get an idea of prices, compare the food listings and read our guide to feeding your dog well.

The Moroccan climate matters

It is often forgotten, but not every breed copes with a Moroccan summer in the same way. Dogs with thick coats and a dense undercoat, such as the Husky or the Malamute, suffer as soon as the temperature rises. Short-nosed breeds such as the French Bulldog, the Pug or the Shih Tzu breathe poorly in strong heat and are far more prone to heatstroke.

If you live in Marrakech, Fes or another inland city where summers regularly pass 40 °C, choose a short- or medium-coated dog, and plan to walk it very early in the morning and late in the evening. On the Atlantic coast the climate is milder and the choice wider. Our article on the heat explains the precautions to take.

Size, energy and temperament

Size isn’t everything. A six-kilo Jack Russell needs more exercise than a fifty-kilo Great Dane. Find out what the breed was bred for: a herding dog needs to work and think, a hunting dog needs to run and sniff, a companion dog needs to be near you.

Ask yourself:

1. Are you sporty, or more of a gentle stroller?
2. Are there young children, elderly people or other animals at home?
3. Have you had a dog before, or is this your first?
4. Can you live with hair, drool and barking?

For a first dog, avoid breeds known to be hard to train or very powerful. A medium-sized, sociable, easily motivated dog will give you a much better start. Our overview of popular breeds in Morocco describes the temperament and needs of each.

Puppy or adult dog?

Puppies are appealing, but they mean a year of daily work: house-training, nipping, training and mischief. Their adult character also remains partly unknown.

An adult dog has already reached its final size and has a temperament you can observe. It is often house-trained and sometimes knows the basic cues. For a working family, an older person or a first-time owner, it is very often the best choice. Adults are also the dogs that wait longest in shelters and in the listings.

Male or female, purebred or mixed?

Differences in character between males and females are smaller than people say; training and the individual dog matter more. Neutering, to be discussed with your vet, prevents heat cycles, escapes and unwanted litters.

A mixed-breed dog is not a second-rate dog. It is often robust, and its character is judged like any other dog’s: by meeting it. If you are set on a particular breed, read up on its hereditary health problems and ask to see the parents.

Before you say yes

• Meet the dog in person, ideally twice, at different times of day.
• Watch it: does it come to you, is it curious, fearful, very excitable?
• Ask for the health record and check the vaccinations.
• Make sure the whole family agrees, including on the house rules.
• Never pay in advance for a dog you haven’t seen.

Our guide to adopting or buying a dog in Morocco covers these checks in detail. When you are ready, the dog listings let you filter by breed, age, sex and city.

Key takeaways

The right dog is not the prettiest or the most fashionable: it is the one whose needs fit your life as it is today. Available time, housing, budget, climate and experience are the five criteria that count. Take them seriously and you are set for ten years of shared happiness.