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A dog can be a wonderful addition to your family, as long as everyone is prepared to put in the time and effort required. So many people think a puppy would make a wonderful present for their children, only to forget about them once the novelty has worn off.

Before you make the leap and introduce a new pet to your family make sure you know what to expect and that you're prepared for all the consequences of bringing a new family member into your home.

Some of the things you should consider before you take the step of picking your puppy or dog.

Who is going to be responsible? It's all well and good to tell your children that the new puppy is theirs to care for, but remember, the first time they have to choose between picking up after it and hangin' out with their friends you know there's going to be a problem. So if there is no one prepared to step in and look after the animal on a regular basis perhaps re-thinking the gift would be a good idea.

Do you have room for it? Depending on what type of home you live in and what type of backyard you have, will be a major factor in both deciding on what type of dog you should get, along with whether or not you're prepared to exercise the dog, if you don't have the room to let it run free in the backyard. If you can't supply the room for a dog to run or are not willing to exercise them on a regular basis then perhaps a dog is not right for you.

Are you a neat freak? No matter how well prepared you are, or how well you trained your dog is, there will be accidents. These can range from the normal potty training problems to digging up your prize garden, chewing your new shoes, or shedding their hair on your lounge. If you're not ready to put up with any of the above at some stage of the dog's life then perhaps a dog is not right for you.

Can you afford it? Caring for a dog means more than just paying for its meals. While dinner time scraps are a common food source, they need more than that, particularly when they are young and still growing, a well balanced diet is essential. Food is not the only cost though. There are also the worm tablets, vet bills, registration fees and other costs associated with caring for your pet. If you are struggling to pay your bills now you shouldn't add to those costs, as unfortunately all too often it's the animal that misses out on what it needs.

These are just a few things to bear in mind when you're thinking about getting a new dog. If, after reading the above points, and now knowing some of what is expected when you introduce a new dog into the family, you decide you still do want a dog, then yes, you do deserve one. Provided of course you can fulfil one other key requirement.

Being prepared to offer lots of love, caring and patience.