Are you ready to adopt a dog?
A dog needs time, space and budget. Plan for at least 1 to 2 hours of walks a day, a home suited to its size and energy, and someone around during the day — a dog can't be left alone for 10 hours. Assess your lifestyle honestly: a border collie in an apartment with no activity will be miserable, while another dog will thrive.
Shelter, breeder or private seller?
The shelter (SPA) gives a second chance to an animal that's often already an adult and socialized, for moderate adoption fees. A breeder is ideal for a specific breed, with pedigree, visible parents and careful socialization — always insist on visiting the breeding facility. A private seller works for the occasional litter: check the vaccination record, the microchip and the registration.
The mandatory steps in Switzerland
Every dog must be microchipped and registered in the national AMICUS database within the days following its acquisition, through your municipality or your vet. Plan a vet check-up and update the vaccinations in the first few days. Take out liability insurance (often required) and find out about the annual dog tax, which varies by municipality and canton.
What budget should you plan for?
At acquisition: from 0 to 250 CHF at a shelter, from 1'000 to 2'500 CHF at a breeder depending on the breed. Day to day: count on 80 to 150 CHF per month (food, insurance, vet, accessories). Keep a reserve for unexpected health issues, which can add up fast.
Preparing properly for the arrival
Before the big day: a bed, bowls, the same food as at the breeder's to avoid digestive upset, toys, a leash and a harness. Make your home safe, choose a vet and plan to be around for a few days to help it find its bearings. The patience of those first weeks makes all the difference.