When looking at new homes for sale, it is important to consider the needs of everyone in your family, and to many people with pets, a dog is a part of the family. Listed below are two features to look for when shopping for a new house that will be dog-friendly.

Single Level

One of the best things to look for when trying to find a house that will be suitable for you and your dog is a home that is only of a single level. The reason that this is so important is that it can make taking your dog out for a walk or out into the yard much more convenient, especially when you consider that your dog is not always going to wait until you are on the bottom floor before pestering you to go outside.

In addition, having only a single floor makes the house much safer for your dog, mostly because dogs can be a bit clumsy and it is not uncommon for a dog to get overly excited and end up taking a tumble down the stairs. Having a home without stairs is also a great thing in the event that you have an elderly dog or when your dog starts reaching his or her golden years, mostly because those stairs can actually be very difficult for your dog to manage.

Entryway

Another home feature to look for in a dog-friendly house is if the house has in entryway or mudroom. This feature is becoming increasingly harder to find because many homes are designed to let you directly into one of the major rooms of the house as soon as you come through the front door.

However, the reason the mudroom is so great when you have a dog is that it allows you to bring your dog in from a walk in the mud, rain, or snow and have them shake off the excess water and dirt in a space that is easy to clean. In addition, the mudroom or entryway gives you a spot to wipe down or dry the dog and his or her paws before he or she is allowed to take off into the rest of the house and make a mess. 

Make an appointment with a local real estate agent today in order to discuss what you are looking for in a home and to find out what features the real estate agent would recommend that you look for when trying to buy a dog-friendly house. You should look for homes that are of a single level and have an entryway when trying to find a house that will be suitable for every member of your family, including your dog.