popoeliz

Be realistic on cost of owning a dog.
e.g. A pure breed dog is about ~$1000 AUS. (non-breeding typical price)
cost of keeping the dog. (Vet, heart worm, food is ~$2000 AUS per year)
e..g. keeping the dog in the kernel when you are on holiday for 2 weeks can be ~$600 AUS.

non-monetary cost:
Walk the dog daily or other  day or whatever for 30min-1hr.
time spent in training the dog.


what you get back:
unconditional love from you dog priceless.

popoeliz

I think you may want to add another guidline:
NEVER buy a dog from a pet shop.
Imagine what is the psychological damage to the dog when the puppy should be with  the litter to learn the doggy social rule. It is locked up in a glass cage.
Only buy a dog from a breeder and after you have met the breeder and see the parent (well, at least the bitch). The puppy would definitely have some characteristic from the parent. You can have a feel on what does your dog looks like.