According to data from the central database of Serbia's Veterinary Administration, 1,955,289 dogs are currently registered. On average, around 100,000 new pets are registered each year, while between 30,000 and 35,000 are deregistered (exported or deceased). These figures show that a large number of citizens have at least one dog in their home, but on the other hand there are also many abandoned dogs that aren't microchipped, making it hard to trace their careless owners. Unfortunately, there's no official data in the country on abandoned animals, but according to figures from various animal welfare associations, there are currently around 10,000 stray dogs on the streets of Belgrade, while more than 240 stray dogs are housed at Novi Sad's "Zoohigijena" shelter. The most common reason for this is the lack of preparedness of would-be owners, who, often because of the nature of their work, have no time even for themselves, let alone for a dog. So before your child talks you into buying them a dog for their birthday or some other occasion, think it through carefully, because a dog isn't a stuffed toy. If you do decide to buy or adopt a dog, you should know that it's a major commitment – puppies will urinate and defecate in the home for the first few months – and that besides enormous patience, you'll also need money. If you believe you can meet all the needs of a new household member, it's certainly recommended to adopt or buy a pet, but if you have any doubts, read this text before taking this important step.
A responsible owner
Namely, once a puppy arrives in your home, you have to set up a corner for it and buy all the necessary things. Often, despite having its own bed, it will want to sleep with you, and if you don't give in, there's a chance you'll wake up tired and sleep-deprived because of its whining. Your new household member, just like any baby, needs to be vaccinated and revaccinated, and also microchipped at the vet's. When it gets sick, it will need medication, and in some cases minor or major procedures (surgery, imaging, blood draws, tartar removal) at the vet clinic, all of which requires both time and money. So think carefully about whether you'll be able to meet all these obligations. Before you commit to buying or adopting, you should know that the puppy will grow up, and as it grows it will take on the physical traits and character of its breed. People most often "fall for" a dog's physical appearance, and that love at first sight is usually based on a cute little face, build, coat color, or size. Many people, in that moment, overlook temperament, which is actually the most important thing to consider when getting a pet, and it's usually the thing that deserves the most attention. Every breed has traits that shouldn't be overlooked before making a final decision. Our advice is to gather information about a specific breed, but not from neighbors – rather from knowledgeable people such as breeders, members of kennel clubs, and veterinarians.
Apartment or yard
A dog's character and behavior form before, during, and after birth and depend on several factors. Primarily on genetics, but also on the moment the puppy leaves the breeder and moves to its new family and new environment. In fact, a puppy's first six months of life shape most of its later behavior. So the link between genetic makeup and specific experiences forms the pet's character. Still, there are innate traits that can't be tamed through training. That's why you should always ask an expert about the history of the breed you're getting. Regardless of whether it's a hunting dog, a poodle, a Maltese, a beagle, a Great Dane, or a Doberman, you should know they all share a common ancestor and love living in a pack. Most breeds have, admittedly, adapted to life in an urban environment, though certain dog breeds should be walked several times a day, for a minimum of an hour each time, while certain smaller breeds can get by with walks of up to 30 minutes. Nor should you forget the dog breeds that aren't suited to apartment living – if their needs aren't met, they become nervous, irritable, and "unruly" due to a lack of physical exertion and increased activity.
For example, the Border Collie is a herding dog and therefore loves to run, while the Siberian Husky craves pack life. The breeds mentioned tend to suffer if they don't get enough physical activity and if they're left alone at home for long periods. Still, it's not all doom and gloom, since through evolution dogs have adapted to living with people in smaller apartments. The best example of this is the Yorkshire Terrier, which 100 years ago was a ratter in Yorkshire mines in England, while today it's one of the most widespread pets in the world. Despite being sweet and small, the Yorkie has, at heart, remained a terrier marked by a firm character and, at times, a fiery temperament. Poodles were hunting dogs and are very attached to people, which is why they don't like being left alone in an apartment for long, and Maltese dogs are often "annoyingly" persistent barkers. A herding dog is born to guard and will always be on alert, an Irish Setter is capable of bolting out of the car and running off into the woods or a nearby park, while a retriever is prone to "pestering" its owner for hours with stick-throwing. For these breeds, it would be best to have their own yard. If none of the above bothers you and you think you'll be able to devote yourself to them fully, you're ready for a pet, but if this text has given you second thoughts, it would be better to think it over a bit more.