There are so many reasons for adopting a dog. After all, dogs are considered man’s best friend and a house is not a home without a dog. However, before you fall in love with those big puppy dog eyes there are several questions you should ask yourself.  By getting introspective about your wants and lifestyle, you can make a smart choice about whether you’re ready for one dog or more.  

What To Look For When Adopting a Dog

When looking for a dog, think about what characteristics matter most to you.  Contemplate traits like size, personality, trainability, exercise needs, grooming, and barking. 

Big dog lovers with apartment and no yard, don’t despair.  The size of your home needs not to be linearly proportional to the size of your dog.  There are plenty of large and even giant dogs like the Great Dane, Greyhound, and Saint Bernard that won’t get you evicted and will give off Zen vibes due to their low energy. Conversely a small Boston Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier and Toy Poodle have lots of energy, tons to yap about and need space to run.

Dogs that are considered highly intelligent and easily trainable, such as those that were bred to be hunters and herders can make awesome household pets.  Just be sure you are committed to meeting both their physical and mental needs.   Hounds, Shepherds and Retrievers will not be content only to lay around the house. These smart dogs will find a way to get rid of their energy, likely by causing chaos and even destruction with barking, chewing, and digging behaviors.

Dog hair don’t care? Then double coated dogs like a Siberian Husky, Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Labrador Retriever will happily snuggle right into your home.  However, if you are the type of person that likes to wear a lot of black consider a single-coat dog like the Weimaraner, Boxer or Dachshund.  Although the single-coat dogs aren’t as floofy as their double-coat counterparts you will save yourself a lot of vacuuming time.  Simply because a dog has a single coat, such as Poodle or a Doodle, doesn’t mean weekly if not daily brushing will be needed to keep their coat mat free.

Due to selective breeding practices stretching back some 300-500 years ago, there are more than 200 dog breeds today.  Factor in the variety of mixed combinations your perfect pet is out there.   

Breed Matters, or Does It?

Breed is often a top consideration when choosing a dog.  And while a dog’s breed can give you some indication of what type of activities the dog may excel at, or what types of behavior problems you may encounter, the truth is each dog is an individual with its own personality. 

Sadly, there are many dog stereotypes that are undeserving to both purebred and mix breed dogs.  Breed specific legislation (#BSL) is rooted in fear and folklore. Animal Farm Foundation has a great infographic ‘looks don’t equal behavior’ to remind us every dog is an individual. Check it out!

Aggression is not breed specific.  Aggression is the result of poor breeding, environment, and the mistreatment by people.  Good dogs aren’t just born, we must teach them what to do with love, patience, and respect.

Dog Years

Many people go into the dog adoption process thinking they want a puppy.  Puppies are fun fluff balls instantly making us say “ooh” and “aah” but puppies need training and require constant supervision.  And whether you take the breeder route or the shelter route to adoption, due to the high demand, you will pay the most to adopt a puppy. 

Believe it or not, dogs between 6 and 18 months old are no longer considered puppies but adolescents.   Adolescent dogs, or teenagers, can be much more independent as compared to a puppy.  The growing pains of teething and nipping are done and potentially even the pup is already house trained. Those crazy and laugh out loud zoomies persist but you will still have plenty of opportunities to train your dog.

Once a dog is 18 months to 7 years old, they are considered mature.  Two of the many benefits of adopting a mature dog are you can see their full size and temperament firsthand versus taking an educated guess.  A mature dog is typically calmer, more confident and has few, if any aches or pains.

Beyond 7 years of age, a dog is considered a senior.  However, this name senior can be misleading as dog longevity is a combination of genetics, nutrition, environment, and agency.  Senior dogs make great companions are certainly not as demanding of one’s time.  Many senior dogs, especially those adopted through shelters, provide advanced medical screening results to give people peace of mind.

Lifestyle

How you live your life and with whom should be heavily considered when deciding whether you are ready for a dog.  Individuals who travel for work will want to think about added pet care costs for boarding. If you have a home full of young children, you may want to rethink a puppy and instead consider a more mature dog, one that is already potty trained and has pet etiquette.  If you are a person who enjoys watching tv a lot, then the dog who requires vigorous exercise daily exercise is probably not your perfect match. 

Sadly, too many dogs end up surrendered to shelters because the previous owner didn’t have the time.  Being honest about your lifestyle will keep both you and your dog happy.

Getting a Second Dog

Many dog lovers want to enjoy the company of two or more dogs.  Before committing to the multidog household, don’t forget dogs are expensive.  The additional costs for another set of dog products, veterinary care, doggie daycare, and grooming has the potential to impact your monthly budget.

Also remember, just because you want to add a dog to the household doesn’t mean your existing dog will appreciate the idea.  Dogs that are considered dog tolerant are very happy with the status quo and a new dog won’t change that.  Your senior dog will likely not appreciate the antics of a young, exuberant puppy pawing, and biting at their achy bodies.  Should you decide to move forward with your plan to expand the family, do take the time to introduce the dogs in an appropriate manner and allow them time to adjust to one another.

Adopt a Dog, Change Your Life

From a scientific standpoint dogs fulfill our human need for companionship, they lower our stress levels, and they even help us live longer by getting us to move more.  From an emotional point of view, dog ownership can make someone more attractive, a dog does not judge, and they will love you unconditionally.  There is nothing not great about a dog but only if you have the time for them! 

So, are you convinced that getting a dog is the right decision for you? If so, congratulations! You’re about to embark on one of the most rewarding relationships in your life. And remember, if at any time you have questions or concerns, we’re here to support you through the adoption process and beyond.

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