Americans love their dogs, and it shows. It’s estimated that there are more than 75 million dogs owned as pets in the U.S., which is more than any other country. More than one out of every three households in the U.S. has at least one dog. If you are thinking about getting a dog, a big question is whether you want to get a puppy or get an adult dog through a shelter. There are pros and cons to each decision.

Though puppies are cute and getting one means you may get to have the dog for longer, they are a lot of work. Puppies need to be house trained and require a lot of attention. For example, once puppies reach eight weeks old, they need to eat four times a day for the next few weeks to grow properly and stay healthy. If you are a single person with a job, it may not be possible for you to give your new puppy the care it needs, especially if it needs specialized puppy care. A good solution might be a puppy daycare. Puppy daycares generally involve training and socialization as well as the standard puppy care your dog needs. Instead of being home by itself all day and being lonely and possibly doing things it’s not supposed to, your dog will get the care and training it needs, and you can have peace of mind.

As your dog grows older it is going to need plenty of other services. There will be regular visits to the vet to ensure your dog is healthy and that it is getting the right vaccinations. You also likely will want the services of a dog groomer to from time to time to take care of your dog’s coat and nails. And older dogs may need doggy daycare, too, especially if they have problems with separation anxiety or being able to spend all day by themselves without needing to go outside.

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience, but it also takes a lot of time and can cost a lot of money. Before deciding to get yourself a puppy or even an older dog, you need to make sure you are prepared both mentally and financially for the responsibilities of being a pet owner.