Is Your House Suitable For Them?

First, consider your home environment and whether it is suitable for a dog. You’re going to need a lot of space for them to roam around, even if they are not a particularly energetic breed. If you live in a small house or you have a big family and space is already an issue, a big dog might not be right for you. 

As well as the space, you need to consider all of the added extras that you may need in your home. For example, you’ll need to install an extra large dog door if you want them to be able to get outside. You might need to put stair gates in too because big dogs can cause a lot of havoc if left to roam the house on their own. 

A big garden is a bonus too because, even when you are walking them regularly, a big dog needs a lot of exercise. 

Can You Commit To Walking Them?

Speaking of exercise, your large dog will need to be walked just like any other dog. Dog owners always need to decide whether they can commit to daily walks, but it’s a bigger commitment with large dogs. They are more prone to joint issues, so it’s vital that they maintain a healthy weight. They have more energy too, which means that you need to walk them for longer than a small dog and they need time to explore and run around. No matter what the weather is like, you will have to grab your walking essentials and take them out for multiple walks every single day. Think about whether you are willing to commit to that or not before getting a large dog. 

Can You Handle Their Strength?

People often underestimate just how strong these big dogs can be. If you are not very big yourself, you might be walking a dog that weighs almost as much as you do, so if they decide they’re running off, you’re going with them. But that doesn’t mean that only big people should get big dogs, it just means that training is extra important. You don’t want your dog running off and pulling you along behind or jumping up at strangers in the street and knocking them over, so they need to be trained well from an early age. However, regardless of how well you train them, you still need to be aware of their strength and consider whether you can handle it or not. 

Before you buy a large dog breed, think about the extra responsibilities involved and ask yourself these questions to make sure that it’s the right choice.