There is no way to calculate the rewards you'll reap as a dog owner. You can expect to experience companionship when your lonely or down deep in the blues. You can find comfort when you face the pains and disappointment of life. You can know a love that is unquestioning and unending.
That's a pretty big package of benefits, and your obligations to your dog are such a small price to pay. You owe her food and water, shelter, exercise, medical care, and most important of all, your own love and commitment.
There are those who'll tell you that if you have a dog you also need to have a back yard where she can exercise, relieve herself, and play without having to "leave the house." Is this true? Must you have a yard if you choose to be a dog owner?
Well, let's look at some of the variables that can affect the answer to this question. Just what kind of dog do you have? Is she old or young? Big or small? Lots of energy or a lazy, laid back observer of the world passing by? Differing breeds of dog come with differing energy levels -- and with resulting differing exercise requirements.
For this reason, when you give thought to acquiring a dog you need to consider your living situation. You should probably be looking at a smaller dog if you don't have a yard. Many people are successful and happy keeping a small dog in apartments with no yard. Bigger breeds, as a rule, require more room -- such as that in a backyard -- to exercise and play. Older dogs typically require less room for exercise and play due to their lower energy levels, so a backyard may possibly be foregone. If you're thinking about acquiring a puppy, though, you need to give careful consideration to whether you have sufficient room for her to expend her energy.
Another factor that enters into answering the question about how necessary is a back yard is the level of your own commitment and energy. If your dog has no backyard into which she can pour her energy, you'll need to ensure that she has opportunities to relieve herself, to exercise, and to play. Your commitment of time and effort increases significantly if you don't have a backyard. Appropriate backyard substitutes are time spent walking or running with you and possibly time spent at a dog park.
Beyond your own energy level, you'll need to consider your commitments to your work. Will you be there for her when she needs to go out to relieve herself? Will you have time and energy to walk her regularly?
Many people who have no backyard -- apartment dwellers or homeowners with very little land -- manage to live with medium to large dogs and active puppies. In some cities it is virtually impossible to find housing with land, but people still keep dogs and do so with happiness on all sides.
How do they do it? In a word, commitment. These dog owners know that their dog is a high priority in their life and schedule. Their dogs is not to be ignored and requires a serious, long-term commitment from their people
Conclusion: It depends. It depends upon your assets, your choice of best companion, and your willingness to invest your time and energy into your dog's happiness and welfare.
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