By Orrin Konheim
According to Forbes Magazine, 65.1 million households owned a dog in 2024, and that number shows no signs of abating.
“After Covid, it boomed. It’s part of the culture of families now,” says Diana Alemagna, who is the co-proprietor of PupsPort Day Care center in Philadelphia’s PennsPort Plaza.
Indeed, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported in 2021 that 1 in 5 households acquired a cat or dog at the beginning of the pandemic.
But how does one go about deciding about whether they’re fit to be a dog owner? What happens if family members are split?
On the subject of reluctant dog dads, Alemagna says, “Some of my favorite stories are dog dads that said they didn’t want the dog. Then, a week later, they’re buying the dog cute clothes, napping with the pup, showing everyone photos and living the dad dog life with a smile.”
“They’re called man’s best friend for a reason; just give it a little time,” she says.
Though American dads being reluctant to accept pets has become somewhat of a cultural trope—just look at the popular “Beethoven” movies, in which dog dad George Newton gave a resounding “NO” to the idea of a family St. Bernard—Alamanga says she doesn’t find men to be more reluctant or different in behaviors than dog moms.
Over at The Dog Alley near Penn’s Landing, doggie day care center manager Ally Clifford has found a lot of passionate dog dads go so far as to pack their lunches, and they’re often concerned enough to ask for pictures throughout the day.
At The Dog Alley, they even have a special presentation on Father’s Day.
Neither The Dog Alley nor PupsPort refer to dog parenthood as an institution that’s part of a family, however. Several of their clients are either single dog owners or childless couples. Statistics from the ASPCA similarly show that dog parenting has increased among those demographics since the pandemic.
“Me and my husband don’t have children, but I get him a card every year on Father’s Day and sign it from my dog,” Clifford says.
As for the decision over whether to have a dog in the first place, Alemagna says it’s primarily about whether you can fit a dog into your lifestyle.
“The lifestyle problems would be if a family doesn’t have time to walk the dog properly, if the family can’t afford medical check-ups and preventative care or if the parents aren’t able to be the main caregivers due to obligations such as work,” she says.
Alemagna says it would be up to the parents in a family to know if the family’s lifestyle matches their ability to care for a dog, and that they generally have a good sense.
Dayli Hernandez, manager of The Dog Alley, recommends families get to know a dog through local shelters. A recommended example from Hernandez is the Doggy Style Pets chain, which has several locations in Philadelphia. Although it’s primarily known as a pet supplies store, Doggy Style has an adoption program and offers the chance for prospective dog buyers to take dogs for walks or even do a 24-hour sleepover.
Dog owner Joseph Bushaw of the Callowhill neighborhood loves both his dogs but described himself as initially hesitant when the suggestion for a second dog was initiated by his partner. He had his first dog before his current relationship.
“I think you have to weigh out the pros and cons. It can’t be a flat ‘no’ and it can’t be flat ‘yes,’” he says.
The deciding factor in this case was that his dog is very social, and Bushaw figured she would benefit from having more company at home.
No matter what reason your family is considering a dog or other pet, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons—and remember, if history is any indication, many dads do come around!
