A house for a dog? A common thing for millennials. Kids can wait, but the dog wants a garden immediately.
Priorities are changing. In the past, people bought a house for the family, now they understandably take their life situation into account. Dogs instead of children? What if that really is the case, by the way, this trend can already be observed in the West. Space in the garden for a dog may be a key factor when choosing a living space.
How is it with us? Although we are a nation of dog lovers, "dog friendly" we are sometimes just for appearances.
A dog will affect your life for many years
Often it is the presence of a dog that is the moment when young people from a small apartment move to a house or a larger apartment in a better, more welcoming location. Does the presence of a dog play a role in choosing a place to live? A dog's life is long, often committing you to the same lifestyle for ten, fifteen, or even twenty years.
Look for other dog owners in the area
When moving, the location plays a role, which should be connected with nature, or in good accessibility of free nature, dog parks or suitable places for walking. But less often we ask about the presence of other dogs.
I moved and this was my basic requirement - nature for the dog and surroundings where people have dogs and therefore they don't mind mine. Well, when there is a dog in every house, it doesn't matter if mine barks along with everyone else,
Bára, who was looking for her accommodation in Malta, revealed to LP-Life.cz editorial team.
We either like or dislike dog owners
The problem with dogs comes into play when a young couple or an individual is looking for rental housing. Many landlords do not desire the presence of animals, as they associate it with higher wear and tear and damage to the apartment. If someone is forced to move and is looking for accommodation with a dog, they will probably lower their own standards for their own home, especially if they get at least acceptable conditions for their dog. And someone who will be willing at all to rent them an apartment or house.
Apartment or house, it no longer matters. In case a couple does not plan to have children and can choose, they often opt for example for a more secluded location, but with space for a dog.
Boredom, space, cooperation
Barking and bothering the neighbours, but also demolition of the apartment is a serious problem. The degree of socialization and training of the dog is often important for landlords.
"Boredom supports the ability to rest and regenerate, which is as important for the mental health of the dog as it is for ours," explains Tomáš Haškovec from the e-shop Contented dog. Dog puzzles, chewing toys or treats can help, which can entertain the dog for a longer time. If he is used to it, he may also enjoy playing the radio or calming music. However, it is important that he has the chance to choose whether he wants to play or rest. But for that, the dog needs space, not a mini-apartment, as we will mention later in the article.
From the real estate practice: the dog decides
Brokers confirm that questions like "Will a dog bed fit in here?" or "Where is the nearest training field?" are not the exception, but the standard.
"A garden for the dog is not a whim today, but often a condition. And it's not just about family houses, but also ground floor apartments with a front garden,"
says founder of the real estate office Y&T Luxury Property Elena Jakubovič.
According to Barbora Smolková from Quantum Reality, the key role is not so much played by the infrastructure for dogs, but rather by the approach of property owners. Many landlords are hesitant towards tenants with pets - they fear potential damage to the apartment or complications with neighbours.
"As for buyers, our experience from the Prague market shows that parks or greenery are essentially a given - in Prague and its immediate surroundings, you will find a park near almost every house. Rather than specific training areas or dog runs, people are dealing with the fundamental choice: whether they want a family house, an apartment, or an apartment with a front garden.
As for special dog facilities, buyers perceive them more as a "bonus", not as a key parameter. Most of them also have no problem driving to a dog training area or larger run by car or public transport. In other words, the parks are here and will be, but what ultimately decides is the type of property and the overall attractiveness of the location."
He adds that civic amenities are equally important for the residents themselves.
In the west there is a similar trend, a fenced yard is a necessity
According to the article on FairwayHome, it is apparent that people with pets are more likely to look for houses rather than apartments and the size of the house is crucial for them, but even more so a fenced yard. This is sought by up to 49% of seekers. According to the Realtor.com study, as much as 95% of owners search for a house or property according to the needs of their dog. Pet owners also preferred garages (24%), dog run areas (22%) and larger indoor spaces (20%).
A house suitable for a dog is a priority, the majority says
Eventually, 68% of respondents would give up their otherwise dream home if it did not meet the needs of their pet. On the other hand, when you're selling, a pet becomes a burden. Up to 80% of realtors recommend keeping dogs and cats or pets in general out of sight from prospective buyers. Buyers want a clean house, because a large part is made up of people who do not desire homes with traces of the presence of other people's pets.
Source: realtor.com, quantumreality, spokojenypes, Y&T Luxury Property, fairwahome.com
