- Aleah Gardner
A Dog Owner’s Guide to House Hunting
Dogs are wonderful pets to have, with their adorable looks, loyal and loving personalities, and their playful nature. And though they are wonderful additions to any household, they do also make it necessary to implement some lifestyle changes. There are a lot of considerations to keep in mind when thinking of long-term care, vacations, and even getting a home. When you have a dog, you have more factors to take into account when shopping for your dream house. And that's beyond the already essential benchmarks in finding a luxury property set by Pun Hlaing Estate.
Dog owners who don't want to sacrifice comfort and convenience for class and sophistication should look to the following criteria when house hunting.
Dog Breeds
Before anything else, you want to base a part of your search on what breed your pet is. This informs a lot of the decisions you can make later on. It’s not necessarily the size of the dog that matters when choosing a place to live. Case in point: though heavily built and intimidating, Bulldogs, whether of the American or English variety, are a great fit for luxury apartments or condos. They are actually gentle, calm, and sweet in disposition and are far less energetic than they appear. So when house hunting, your dog’s personality and needs are the first things you should consider. For instance, Golden Retrievers might be great for a property with a garden, but not for a smaller space because of their unlimited energy and high activity needs.
Materials and Textiles
When it comes to your flooring, furniture, and fabrics, you're going to want materials that aren't too sensitive and prone to damage. Energetic dogs might end up tracking around mud or biting on some things. Practical options can often be designed in a way that still matches one's interior aesthetic. For example, designer Heather Higgins suggests cotton canvas as slipcovers. That's because they still look good as a cover, are easily cleaned, and mix well with breeds that like to nap on the sofa. Synthetic options maintain a high-end look without being easily degraded by paws ang gnawing teeth. It also helps to match your interior colour scheme in a way that makes areas prone to shedding easy to mask.
Direct Environment
Check out the layout of your home and how this can be navigated by your dogs, especially if you want to limit where they can stay in the house. Figure out how much space they can explore, what areas are good for their feeding and naps, and if they have easy access to the outside or a view.
That brings the next consideration, which is the outdoors. Are there nearby dog parks? A good space that your dog can run around in so they don't have too much pent-up energy when they are inside? If you have a lawn or backyard space, you'll want to think about landscaping that is easy to maintain and won't easily be ruined by dogs running around or digging up the ground. You also want to think about easy access to water, but make sure that any pools are covered.
Dog-Friendly Neighbourhood
Aside from scoping out the safety of the area (which is a necessary part of house hunting even without a pet), it's best to check if there are any specific rules and regulations regarding pet ownership in the neighbourhood. Usually, secure and exclusive neighbourhoods have specific guidelines for handling pets when in and out the house. This does vary, so it's best to ask the realtor or the estate management office. Some neighbourhoods even require dog muzzles in common areas or prohibit dog walking altogether.
My Animals has a guide to navigating pet-related local rules, which includes communicating these factors before moving in. It's also a good idea to see whether your actual neighbours are pet owners, and what their behaviour towards animals are.
Once you've got these covered, you can have your majestic pooch fitting right into your dazzling new home.
Written by Aleah Gardner
Exclusive for punhlaingestate.com