Welcoming a dog into your life is an amazing and rewarding step, and building a relationship with your dog will be an exciting journey full of firsts, laughter and love! But, adopting a dog at any age can also be a little scary when you've never owned a dog before.
As a self-professed dog lover looking to adopt a dog or puppy, it's natural to want to ensure you provide the very best care and life for the dog (or doggos) you bring home. But, where do you start, right?! As proud pet parents, we recommend you start with the dog ownership guide below.
Basic dog care costs: These are basic supplies needed for pet dogs:
Other dog costs: There are a number of additional expenses new dog owners should consider, such as:
Grooming: Set time aside to groom your dog and/or drop them off and pick them up at your preferred dog parlour.
Size and breed matter when it comes to dogs! Before jumping right to the exciting parts of dog adoption, you must consider your environment and what dog it can realistically accommodate.
It would be really unfair to expect a large dog breed with tons of energy like a German Pointer, Collie or even a medium breed with a seemingly endless battery, like a Dalmatian or Boxer, to live comfortably with no way to release all their pent-up excitement and energy.
Dogs need space and freedom to stretch their legs and play! Even extra teeny tiny dogs like Yorkies, Daxies and Chihuahuas need room to be fabulous and have fun.
4 questions to help you decide what size and breed dog is best for you:
We know how tempting it is to want to scoop up every cutie that catches your eye, but you must think about the relationship you want to have with your new best friend.
5 questions to help you determine which dog personality would best suit your lifestyle:
It may be a good idea to wait until you meet your new dog before you start shopping for must-have doggy accessories and general care items, like food and water bowls or a collar and leash. Why? Because sizes will vary depending on the age and size of your new dog.
Here's a checklist of dog care supplies you will need:
VALGRAY TIP: Did you know we offer FREE personalised name tags and engraving with every Valgray for Dogs designer dog collar purchase? View our dog collars to learn more about our complimentary name tag engraving.
VALGRAY TIP: It's best to avoid cheap dog shampoos (and human shampoos) as many of them contain harmful ingredients and skin irritants.
VALGRAY TIP: Worried you'll clip your dog's nails too short? Ask a professional groomer or vet to clip your dog's nails.
VALGRAY TIP: Learn more about doggy dental health on our blog Dog health 101: Dental health for your doggo.
VALGRAY TIP: Always pick up your dog's poop when walking in public areas. It's something all dog owners should make a habit of!
We hope our guide for new pet owners was insightful and helpful for all you new dog owners! Next is our guide to dog adoption.
Please note this blog is for information purposes only. Valgray for Dogs encourages dog owners to consult a veterinarian before making decisions about dog feeding, medical care, oral health care or behavioural conditions.
Click here to learn more about Valgray and our story.
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When you shop with Valgray you're not just selecting a brand, you're also a part of the Valgray family and embracing a lifestyle centred around animal welfare, supreme comfort, and impeccable fashion. Our dog collars and accessories are locally produced to radiate elegance and cosiness, ensuring that your furry companion is not only the most stylish but also the happiest pup around.
We recognize that our customers consider their dogs as family members, which is why we design our dog products with emphasis on quality, style, and comfort. To learn more about our exceptional products, browse our online store or reach out to the Valgray team. We're eager to chat with you and share our fashionable products!
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Helping doggos in need is a cause that’s really close to our heart, which is why we have a Valgray charity drive every year. Over the years we have been proud to donate much needed blankets and dog food to the incredible animal rescues you recommended, as well as gifting designer dog collar and leash sets to newly adopted pooches so they can start their new lives in style.
Valgray is one of the few brands that caters for all dog sizes. From our extra-small collars for the truly tiny pooch to the extra-large collars for giant breeds, we go the extra mile to make sure your fur-babies can put their best paw forward.
It’s important to measure your pup’s neck to make sure your new collar will fit comfortably. Remember to include some space around the neck for your pooch’s safety and comfort. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit two or three fingers between the neck and collar.
Once you have your doggo’s measurements, check our sizing guide below for the best collar size.
No problem! You can use a variety of household items to safely measure your dog’s neck. See our guide here.
Don’t have a tape measure lying around? No problem! To learn how to measure your dog's neck safely with various household items, click here.
We try our best to cater to every breed, but some doggos might need a little extra at-home customisation to achieve the perfect fit. Making adjustments to our soft, PVC-coated nylon straps at home is easy. Simply use a standard leather punching tool to add additional holes, or use a utility knife to trim the length of your collar.
Interested in learning about the paws and humans behind Valgray? Learn about our journey and how we give back on Valgray, This Is How Our Story Started!