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10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog

When we think of October we tend to think about cooler temperatures and shorter days. However for the millions of dogs that are in shelters right now, the only thing on their mind is the hope of a better life. For this reason the ASPCA has chosen October to be Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.  The goal is to bring people’s attention to the 3.3 million dogs that enter shelters each year. It would be a great victory if these dogs could find a home this year. Maybe you could open your heart and home to one of them? If you are unsure if you should adopt a shelter dog, please read on. We have gathered 10 reasons why you should adopt a shelter dog this month.

Denver a white fluffy puppy in 10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog.
This is Denver. He was available at the Emmet County Animal Shelter

10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog

10 Reasons to Adopt a shelter Dog pin

1. You Will Save a Life, Maybe Two

By adopting a shelter dog, you will save their life. You may even save two lives. The life of the dog you adopted and the life of the dog that took their place. Did you know that each year 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized just because space is limited in shelters?

If you are looking for a puppy, you may need to pick one from a litter. At first they may all look and act alike. But don’t be fooled. Each puppy will have their own personality and traits. In How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter we show you how to evaluate each pup and what to look for.

2. You Will Get a Healthy Pet

It is a common misconception that shelter dogs have something wrong with them. Most shelter dogs are healthy and ready to start a new life. Unlike dogs bought at pet stores, shelters and rescue groups will examine the dogs in their care before they are placed for adoption. They may also screen the dogs for aggression and behavioral issues. If a dog has a known medical issue you are told about it prior to adoption.

As more people look to adopt dogs, shelters and rescue groups have become more selective. Join us as we go over tips and tricks to help you get the dog you want.

3. You Will Save Money

When compared to the cost of buying a dog from a breeder you will save money. Adoption fees are much lower than your average breeder cost. Plus you will get a dog that has been examined, is up to date on vaccines, spayed or neutered and microchipped all for a low cost adopt fee.

Are you interested in adopting a dog but hesitant due to the unknown cost? Join us as we take a look at the cost to adopt a dog in How Much Does it Cost to Adopt a Dog?

10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog.
Red -Pocahontas County Animal Shelter

4. You Can Adopt an Adult Dog

You can generally only purchase puppies from a breeder. Once a breeder’s puppy is considered too old to sell they are (hopefully) released to local shelters or rescue groups. But not everyone wants a puppy. Puppies can take up a lot of your time and need to be trained. At a shelter you can find dogs of all ages. We found our current dog as a puppy at a Humane Society and we found our previous purebred dog as an adult in a local city shelter.

5. Dogs May Already be Trained

Adult dogs or older puppies may already be trained when you adopt them. When we adopted our 5 year old Golden Retriever he was fully housetrained and knew all the basic commands. All we needed to do was reinforce what he had already learned. As a working couple it was a great relief not to have to worry about him being destructive or going in the house when we were not home.

If you do decide to get a puppy, I suggest that you crate train them. Crate Training Made Easy offers simple steps to take advantage of your puppy’s natural instinct to find a safe quiet place to sleep.

6. Dogs Make Us Healthier

According to a Harvard paper, owning a dog is associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown that dog owners have lower blood pressure than non-dog owners. Although there is not a clear cause and effect relationship, it may be due to the pet effect. Several studies show that a person’s blood pressure goes down when they pet a dog.

While owning a dog is a great experience, you need to make sure you’re ready for the responsibility. Let us help you decide in You Are Ready for a Dog.

7. Dogs Make Us More Active

Just like us, dogs need to be active to be healthy. But unlike us, dogs don’t make excuses as to why they skipped a run. In fact they will come looking for you to take them for a walk or play a game of fetch. So it is no surprise that a study published in 2017 found that senior citizens who lived with a dog walked 23 minutes more than their dog less counterparts.

8. Dogs Are Good For Your Mental Health

Dogs have a calming effect on our emotional and social well-being. This is why hospitals around the world use therapy dogs to help patients cope with serious illness and improve their mental health.

10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog.

What is the Right Dog for Me? Only you can decide. Here we have laid out a series of questions to help you find the answer.

9. You Will Support a Charity

When you adopt from a shelter you are supporting a not-for-profit organization. These not-for-profits rely on the adoption fee and donations from supports to pay the medical and housing expenses of future rescues.

10. You Will Help Put Puppy Mills Out of Business

The last thing anyone wants to do is support a puppy mill.   Puppy mills are known for their inhumane treatment of dogs and mass breeding of puppies.  Puppy Mills do not care about the health of their dogs nor do they keep track of their breeding. This results in sick puppies and dogs with long term health issues. Puppy Mills can hide who they are by selling their puppies through pet stores, on the internet or through local advertisements. Because of these tactics, people may be unaware that they are buying from a puppy mill. But, if you chose to adopt a shelter dog you are guaranteed that you are not putting money into the hands of the Puppy Mill owners.

To learn more about puppy mills and what you can do to stop them read the Humane Society of the United States’ paper on Get the Facts on Puppy Mills.

Are You Ready to Adopt a Shelter Dog?

Are you looking for a dog to adopt? There are many places where you can find a dog to adopt; a local shelter, rescue group or online. With so many options it is sometimes hard to decide which to choose. In Where to Find a Dog to Adopt, we will look at the pros and cons of each place. You will also find tips on how not to be scammed.

Other related posts you may like:

How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter

How to pick a puppy from a litter -Happyoodles.com

What an exciting time!  You have decided to get a puppy. Now it is time to select your new puppy from a litter. Choosing a puppy can be difficult. At first they may all look and act alike. But don’t be fooled. Each puppy will have their own personality and traits. It is important to pick a puppy based on your lifestyle and the puppy’s personality. Do not pick a puppy based on how cute they are or which one comes to you first.  To help you we have gathered the best tips on how to pick a puppy from a litter.  

Can a dog smile?  Many Dog Trainers and Animal Behaviorists will tell you that dogs cannot smile, at least not in the true sense of a smile.  But I am not so sure they are correct.  Check out why I think some dogs can smile.

The process of picking a puppy from a rescue group, a shelter or a breeder might be a little different, but the basic steps will be the same.

Picking a Puppy from a Breeder

There are two ways that puppies are picked when you get them from a breeder.

  1. The breeder picks the puppy for you based on:
    • What they know about you
    • Their knowledge of the other families getting a puppy
    • Observing of the puppies
    • Their expertise as a breeder
  2. You are allowed to pick your own puppy with some guidance from the breeder.

Breeder Picks

How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter - Three puppies
Petfinder.com

If the breeder chooses a puppy, you want to make sure they have as much information about you as possible. Make sure to tell them about yourself, your lifestyle and your expectations of your new puppy. This will enable them to make the best possible match.

The breeder should be asking you:

  • Do you have kids?
  • Are you home during the day?
  • Do you want a male or female?
  • Are you an active person?
  • What activities are you looking to do with your pet?
  • If you are getting a poodle mix do you have a preferred hair type
  • Are you looking for an energetic or calm pup?
  • Do you want them to be independent or eager to please?

You Pick

If you are allowed to pick a puppy from the litter, you need to know where you are in the picking order. If you were the last person to send in a deposit you will not have an option to choose.  You will simply be given the remaining puppy after everyone else has made their picks.

If you get to pick a puppy from a litter take some time to think about what you are looking for in an adult dog. Use the questions above to help you determine what your needs are. Then discuss what you are looking for with the breeder and let them guide you to the pup that best fits you.  

Your breeder should be spending time with the puppies as they grow. During this time an experienced breeder will get to know the puppy’s individual personalities and traits. By the time the puppies are ready to be picked, the breeder should have a good idea of what each puppy’s temperament will be like as an adult.  It is in the best interest of your breeder to make sure you go home with the right dog.

How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter - litter of puppies

Picking a Puppy from a Rescue

Picking a puppy from a litter at a rescue group is a lot like picking a puppy from a breeder. If you are the first person to be approved for adoption you may be allowed to pick from the entire litter, otherwise you will get to pick based on when you are approved. But just like with breeders, some rescue groups prefer to do the picking. If that is the case make sure to tell them about your lifestlye and what you are looking for so they can make the best possible match.

Picking a Puppy from a Shelter

Most government run shelters use a first come, first serve approach to dog adoptions. Meaning if they have a litter of puppies you will be given the option to meet all the puppies that are still available.

Our Story

For one of our many attempts to adopt a dog we went to our regional animal shelter to see a dog they had just taken in. She was a 4 month old mixed breed puppy. Even though we arrived about 20 minutes ahead of opening time there was a line waiting at the door. She was adopted by the first person in line.

How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter

Regardless of where you get your puppy from, the process to pick a puppy from a litter is the same.

  • Bring a friend
  • Observe the litter
  • Pick a few pups to meet individually
  • Evaluation each puppy individually using:
    • Cradle Test
    • Touch Sensitivity Test
    • Summons Test
    • Sound Sensitivity Test
    • Vision Test
    • Visual check
    • Bite Response

Bring a friend

When planning to pick a puppy from a litter, ask an impartial friend or family member to come along.   Seeing all those cute, happy faces can be overwhelming so it helps to have someone evaluate the pups with you.

Observe the litter

Ask if you can observe the entire litter for a few minutes. Ask if any of the litter is missing.  Once you ensure that all the puppies are there pay attention to how the puppies interact with each other.  Try to figure out which pup is dominant and which one (if any) is shy.  If you are having a hard time figuring it out, casually ask the breeder/foster mom what she thinks. Both of these types of pups can come with training issues as they mature.

You want to pick from a litter of puppies that are friendly, curious, and trusting around their siblings and you. They should be exhibiting signs of interest and trust like smelling your feet and legs, crawling on you and looking for attention.  You want to pay attention to signs of fear like running away or refusing to get close. This may be an indication that they will need extra training to become properly socialized. It’s ok if they lose interest in you and start playing with each other.

Personality Types

There are several distinct personality types in puppies. Look for the following signs to discover each puppy’s personality:

The Dominate Pup

A dominate pup may seem friendly, social and active, but you may notice them stealing toys from other pups, climbing over their littermates, playing rough or trying to break out of their enclosure.  These are signs of wanting to be in control and may lead to them being harder to train. They may also try to challenge young children. If you have young children this may not be a good fit.

The Independent Pup

An independent pup likes to make their own choices. You may find them doing their own thing. This pup can be quick-thinking, fun loving and engaging but they can also be hard to train.  Often they have their own agendas and are not interested in your commands.  These pups will require a lot of training but may become bored with repetitive training. Independent pups tend to have unique and fun personalities though.

The People Pleaser

The people pleaser wants to be with people and will come looking for your attention. These pups can become very attached to their owners. With good positive training these pups can make great family companions. They will not be a good choice for a home where they are often left alone.

The Relaxed Pup

The relaxed pup may be less interested in you than their siblings. It is sometimes believed that a relaxed pup is less intelligent, but they will balance play, interaction and sleep, well. They will be a great fit for relaxed owners and a family. Make sure you don’t confuse a relaxed pup with a shy pup.   A relaxed pup will still be friendly, but a shy pup will keep their distance.

The Shy Pup

The shy pup will be more timid then their littermates. They may keep their distance from you, wait in the back of the pack or hang their head low.  A shy pup will need a lot of time and patience to foster their self-esteem so that they become comfortable around others. They are more suitable for singles and couples who have time to train them and give them a lot of attention.

Evaluate Puppies Individually

Once you have had a chance to evaluate the pups with their litter ask to meet the available pups one on one out of sight from the rest of the litter. Try to conduct the following evaluations on each puppy.

Cradle Test

Carefully pick up the puppy. Cradle them in your arms and see how they react. Does the pup struggle? Is she trying to mouth or bite? Does he lick your face? Is he calm?  A puppy that puts up a struggle at first but then settles down might be easier to train than a puppy that does not want to be held.

Touch Sensitivity Test

Holding the puppy, touch his toes and squeeze gently on his paws. Touch the pup’s ears, and face too. Pups that yelp at the slightest pressure or bite your hands are not good for families with kids. A good response is a pup that shows no response.

Summons Test

Sit or kneel on the ground and call the puppy to you. Click your tongue or tap the ground to get the puppy’s attention if he does not respond to his name. If he comes to you quickly, he may have a strong attachment to people. If he ignores you or gets distracted he may be independent and require an experienced trainer.

Sound Sensitivity Test

Either clap your hands behind the pup’s head or drop a set of keys on the floor near the puppy but where they cannot see it fall to see what their reaction is.  Does he ignore it? Does he get startled by it? A good response for a puppy is to go investigate the source of the sound.

Vision Test

To check a pup’s vision, roll a ball within the pup’s field of vision and see if he reacts to it by watching it or playing with it.

Visual check

Take a good look at each puppy.  Puppies should be nice and round, not too fat and not too skinny.  Their eyes should be clear, bright and with no crust or discharge.  Their ears, nose and teeth should be clean and gums pink.

Puppies should also have clean shiny coats with no sign of dirt or debris on their bodies. Listen to how the puppy is breathing.  It should be quiet without coughing or sneezing a lot.

Watch the Puppies

Watch how the puppy walks and runs.  The puppy should be able to move around without limping or seeming stiff or sore. Trouble moving may indicate hip or joint issues that could develop into something worst.

Pay attention to their energy level. If a pup bounces off the walls where he is, he’ll probably do it at your home. This puppy will be good for a very active home that will include him in the activities.

Bite Response

To test a puppy’s bite response, allow the puppy to mouth you until they start to bite. At that point respond with a high pitched “Ouch!” Watch to see if the pup catches on to your pain response. They should react with fear or concern, rather than excitement.  Puppies that stop biting when people or dogs show pain are more likely to develop into adult dogs with good control over their mouths. Don’t be too concerned if the puppy notes your reaction, stops for a moment, and then returns to nibbling your fingers. This is normal.

Selecting a Name

Now that you have your perfect pup it’s time to give them a name. To help we have put together lists of names to help you to choose a name.

It Is Up To You

Now that you know how to pick a puppy from a litter it is all up to you. Picking the perfect puppy is only the beginning.  How a puppy is raised will determine how they turn out.  Make sure you understand what it means to properly socialize a puppy and make ever effort to do it well.

Check out these posts to learn more about puppy socialization:

What you need to do before bringing home a puppy

  • Gather what you need for your new puppy. Join us at “What You Need for a New Puppy” to learn about the 7 essential items you need before you bring your puppy home. Plus we will provide tips on how to select the best items for your pup.

Other related posts you may like:

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dog?

Interested in adopting a dog? You are not alone.  As people learn about the horrors of puppy mills, dog adoptions are becoming the preferred method of getting a dog.   This is good news to the more than 127,000 dogs currently looking for a home on Petfinder.com. But even as more people choose to adopt, they don’t know the cost to adopt a dog prior to starting the process. So, we decided to sort through the adoption posts on petfinder.com to find out the cost to adopt a dog?’

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dog? - Face of a light brown puppy
Henry – Orlando Fl – Petfinder.com

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dog?

After looking through 100’s of posts on Petfinder.com, we found that the cost to adopt a puppy ranged from $61 to $1,750 with most costs falling between $200 and $500. The cost to adopt an adult dog ranged from $50 to $1,200 with most costs falling between $100 and $350. As you might expect, the cost to adopt a dog varied based on a few factors; age, geographic location, interest and organization type all had an effect on the cost to adopt. Across the board puppies fetched a higher price than adult dogs. Senior dogs and special needs dogs were at the lower end of costs. 

Meet Malcolm. Malcolm is a 2 month old Labrador Retriever mix. He is located in Wakefield, RI. Malcolm’s adoption fee is $585

How Do These Factors Affect The Cost?

Age

The age of the dog has a big impact on the cost to adopt that dog. Puppies have always been in high demand and many people are willing to pay a higher price to get one. People tend to believe that it is easier to train and bond with a dog if you get them as a puppy. But this means you need to know how to train a puppy.

People tend to under estimate the amount of time it takes to train a puppy. At the very least they need to have the time to take them to a training class. You also need time to reinforce what you have both learned at home. The lack of training can result in a dog being returned to the shelter due to behavioral problems.

This brings me to the other reason puppies are more expensive to adopt. Puppyhood only lasts for a few months. Because of this there are fewer puppies available to adopt compared to older dogs.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Dog? Three golden retriever puppies

These Golden Retriever puppies are in Bath, Ohio for $500 each.

Geographic Location

Where a dog is available for adoption will have a big effect on the cost to adopt. Locations with a higher cost of living like cities and northern suburbs tend to have higher adoption costs. This is partially due to the higher cost for medical care, dog food, and housing. It is also due to the fact that these populations tend to have more disposable income to spend on the dog they want.

Meet Harry. Harry is a purebred Golden Retriever located in Westchester County, NY. He is estimated to be between 1 to 2 years old. Harry’s adoption fee is $1,200.

We see the opposite in locations with a lower cost of living. These areas will generally have lower adoption costs due to the lower cost of care and have less people willing to pay a premium for a dog. However, there are exceptions to this. It has become a common practice to transport dogs from lower cost areas in the south to higher cost areas in the north. In these cases the adoption costs may also reflect the cost of transport.

Golden retriever and Rottweiler mix in how much does it cost to adopt a dog.

Meet Ross. Ross is a Golden Retriever and Rottweiler mix in Rogers, Arkansas. At the time of writing he was being held by the City of Rogers – Animal Services. Ross’s adoption fee is just $61.

Interest

Most government run shelters and some rescues charge a flat fee based on age. But some rescues will base the cost of adoption on the demand for a particular dog. Dogs in high demand tend to be purebred or mixed breed “designer” dogs.

Shelters justify the extra fees by stating it helps pay the medical expenses of a dog in need. Sometimes it states that the extra costs goes towards the general care of less adoptable dogs.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

Pur is a 5 month old Aussiedoodle in Elk Grove, CA. Her adoption fee is $1,000

Non-designer mixed-bred dogs tend to have lower adoption fees.

Earl Grey is believed to be a Labrador Retriever and White Shepherd Mix in Berea, Kentucky. He is up to date on his vaccinations and is neutered. His adoption fee is $200

Organization type

The type of organization will have an effect on the cost of adoption. City run shelters that are looking to free up space to take in new dogs tend to keep adoption fees low. That was our experience when we adopted Charlie, a Golden Retriever from a local city shelter. I can’t remember the exact cost to adopt him but it was low. Of course that was over 20 years ago. But the cost of adoption at a city shelter is still low today when compared to rescue groups.

You can still adopt dogs from local government shelters but you may be competing with local rescue groups. This is because rescue groups can may take these dogs from the shelter before anyone else has a chance to adopt them. Before you get upset, let me tell you why rescue groups are doing us all a favor.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

Shelly appears to be a goldendoodle puppy, but the ad states they do not know what her breeding is. She was being held at the Fort Wayne Animal Control in Fort Wayne, In. Her adoption cost is $125.

Rescue Groups

Every time a rescue group takes a dog from a shelter they are opening up space for another dog. Unlike many rescue groups, government run shelters have a limited amount of space to work with. Rescue groups on the other hand often utilize fosters volunteers which allow them to hold onto a dog until they find them a home. Some rescue groups are breed specific, meaning they only deal with one type of dog, like a doodle rescue. Others will take in any dogs in need of a home.

As more people choose to adopt the demand for rescue dogs has increased. This allows rescue groups to be more selective in who they adopt to. Having gone through the process already we provide you with the tips and tricks you need to find a rescue dog in Rescue Dogs: Tips on How to Get One

Rescue groups serve another purpose. They will often vet the dogs before putting them up for adoption. Since rescue groups use foster homes to house their dogs, the host gets a chance to see what the dog is really like to live with. This allows the rescue group to deal with any medical or behavioral issues before placing the dog for adoption.

Ember was rescued from a kill shelter in Texas. She was brought to a foster in Virginia to hopefully be adopted. She is listed as a German Shepherd Puppy. Embers adoption fee is $325

Cash’s mom was abandoned and had her puppies under a barn. Cash and his siblings needed to be bottle fed by their foster mom. Cash is located in Nahunta, Ga. The adoption fees at this rescue ranges between $100 and $200.

What’s included in the Adoption fee?

Adoption fees are often a bargain once you realize what it covers. Although it can vary most cover: 

  • Medical check-up
  • All required age appropriate shoots
  • Heartworm testing, prevention and treatment when necessary
  • Deworming for puppies
  • Spay or neuter
  • Cost to board or foster the dog.
    • This includes items like food, treats, pee pads, toys etc.
  • Microchip

Brady is a Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle mix in Tampa, Fl. His is approximately 4 years old and was rescued from a local shelter. He needed to be shaved down due to the extensive matting and comes with free training. His adoption fee is $250.

Some places also include in their fees:

  • Dog License
  • Collars
  • Identification tags
  • Flea and Tick Prevention
  • Dental Checkup
  • Training Classes
  • Grooming

These days there are so many places where you can go to adopt a dog. Which one should you choose? We look at the pros and cons of each and touch on where you should not go for your dog adoption in Dog Adoption – Finding Your Perfect Pup

Additional Fees

Application fees

In addition to the cost of the adoption fee some rescue groups require that you pay a non-refundable application fee in order to have your application processed. This fee is to pay for the processing of the application. Fees typically ranged between $10 and $25 per application.

Transportation costs

Some rescue groups will ship the dog to you for an additional cost. The transportation costs we saw ranged from $50 to $500 for ground transportation.  If the rescue routinely transports dogs to a certain area they may include the cost to the adoption fee rather than charge it separately.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

This beautiful boy is Landon. His mom was a town stray in Reform, Alabama. He is offered for adoption in Connecticut but will reside in Alabama until he has found a home. Landon’s adoption fee is $499 which includes the cost of transportation to Connecticut.

Spay or Neuter Deposits

Rescue groups are now offering allowing puppies to be adopted prior to being spayed or neutered. But they still want all dogs to be fixed. So rescues and shelters are now requiring a refundable deposit at the time of adoption to ensure that the dogs are fixed. The deposit request we saw ranged between $75 and $250 dollars.

What is a Benefactor Dog?

A benefactor dog is generally a purebred or designer dog that people are willing to pay a higher adoption fee to get. The idea behind benefactor dogs is that the high fees help support dogs that need medical attention or for the care of dogs that are harder to place.  The adoption fees vary for benefactor dogs but are always higher than the standard fees for the rescue.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog? French bull dog puppy

Dutch Lucky is a French Bulldog puppy in Indiana. His adoption fee is $1,750. It is noted in his profile that his adoption fee “will be used to cover veterinarian expenses of other dogs in need “

How We Determined the Typical Cost to Adopt a Dog

To find the typical cost to adopt a dog we took a sampling of the thousands of dogs that were available across the US on petfinder.com at the time of writing. Since rescue groups and shelters are free to charge what they want, the “typical” cost may change.  In order to make the comparisons between the different regions, ages, health and organization type we concentrated on a few breed types. This included mixed breed dogs and the 5 most popular dog breeds; the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, French Bull Dog, Poodle and Poodle mix.   

Beyond the Initial Cost to Adopt a Dog

So far we have focused on the cost to adopt a dog from a rescue. But the cost of dog ownership doesn’t end there. There are basic items you will need in order to take care of your new dog. Things like food bowls, food, collar, leash and toys to name a few. Annual visits to the veterinarian will be needed to ensure your pup is healthy and up to date with all their vaccines. Taking care of your pup will be an ongoing expense, so make sure you know what the costs are before you adopt and that you have the means to cover them.

If you are a new dog parent you may be wondering what you need to take care of a puppy. In What You Need for a New Puppy we go over the essential items you must get for any dog.

I hope you now have a better idea of what it will cost to adopt a dog

A Word about the Dogs in this Post

All the dogs shown in this post were available for adoption on petfinder.com at the time of writing. Most of them will hopefully be adopted by the time you read this, but there are many more just like these who are looking for a home. Please consider opening your heart and your home to one of them

Other related posts you may like:

What is the Right Dog for Me?

What is the Right Dog for Me?

Congratulations!!  Since you are reading this I suspect that you have decided now is the best time to bring a dog into your life. At this point you might be asking “What is the right dog for me?” Only you can answer this question, so we have laid out a series of questions you should ask yourself to help you decide which type of dog best fits your lifestyle.

Deciding Which Type of Dog Is Right For You

What is the Right Dog for Me?

Your next step in this journey is to narrow down the type of dog you are looking for. Is it very important that you find a dog that fits you and your lifestyle.

To do this you need to take a realistic look at your life and your financial constraints.  Just because you fell in love with the dog from the movie Beethoven when you were a kid (as I did), doesn’t mean a 100 pound St. Bernard is going to love living in your tiny city apartment. Just like humans, dogs have needs that must be considered.

1. Do you want a puppy or an older dog?

Deciding on whether to get a puppy or adult dog can be hard. Let’s face it. Puppies are cute, but puppy-hood doesn’t last forever. Besides, there are a lot a benefits to bringing home an older dog.  Here are some of the pros and cons to each choice.

Puppies

Puppies are not only undeniable cute and cuddly but also require the greatest amount of training, attention and cost, particularly during the first six months.

happy-oodles-which-dog-is-right-for-you-puppies-are-cute-fl2

It takes a lot of time and dedication to housebreak and train a new puppy.  Be prepared for many accidents in the house and for your new puppy to decide that your grandmothers antique chairs is the best chew toy in town.

Although these problems will gradually fade as the puppy matures and it is trained on proper dog manners, you will need a great deal of patience during this time. Also remember that if you adopted a mixed breed or a designer dog, your puppy may look very different than what you imagined.

Adult Dogs

For many people adult dogs are an excellent choice, especially if are looking for a dog that is already house trained and has basic doggy manners. You also get a better idea of what their energy level, attitude, and temperament are before bringing them home.

However, just because it is an adult, it does not guarantee that the dog is trained the way you want or even trained at all.   You should still expect to do some training so that you and your new companion know all the rules.

Puppy

ProsCons
Adorable and cuddlyNot house-trained
Stronger bondCompletely untrained
Puppy stage is funHigh energy
Train the way you wantNeeds more attention
1st year more expensive: 
vaccines, setting up costs
Biting/mouthing

Adult  Dog

ProsCons
May be house-trainedMiss puppy stage
House-training is quickerLower energy levels
May have doggy mannersPossible higher vet bills if older
More independentPossible behaviorally issues
Can be left alone for 
longer periods of time
Lower energy levels

2. What kind of breed should you consider?

There are many factors you need to consider when deciding on which dog fits best into your life. To learn more about breeds and their traits read Understanding how breed traits affect behaviors

Evaluate your lifestyle

When deciding on which breed or breeds to consider it is important to examine your current lifestyle.

Think about what adjustments you will need to make for a particular breed and if you are willing to make them. Look at your job and determine how many hours you will be home to be with your new friend.

happy-oodles-which-dog-is-right-for-you-dog-bassett-hound-sleeping-fl

Some dogs like Bassett Hounds that have low energy levels are ok spending 8 hours alone as long as they get adequate exercise and attention before you leave and after you come home.

However breeds like terriers need to be in contact with people most of the day or they become lonely.

Look at the needs of your family, especially if you have children or other pets. Do you want a high energy dog to match your high energy children or do you want a dog that likes to hangout. Are your children old enough to properly handle a dog?

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Families with a young child may want to stay away from small dogs because the dog can be hurt if not handled properly. The opposite is true for big dogs.  Big high energy dogs may unwittingly hurt a small child. 

Does anyone in your family have allergies, or prefer a low-shedding dog?  If so, a hypoallergenic dog breed might be right for you. 

Tip: Hypoallergenic does not mean the allergy suffer will not be allergic to the dog, just that there is a chance they will be able to tolerate the dog better.  Make sure to spend time around the dog you are considering, before bringing it home. For more information on hypoallergenic dogs What Are The Best Hypoallergenic Dogs For People With Allergies?

3. How big should you go?

What is the Right Dog for Me?

When deciding on what size dog to choose think about what purpose you want the dog to serve.  Do you want a little lap dog that you can carry around or do you want a large dog that will scare away potential thieves? If you are not sure maybe a medium sized dog will fit your needs. As I mentioned earlier all dogs were bred to serve a purpose.   Decide on your main purpose and select a bred that matches it.

Think about how much space you can give a dog.  Small dogs can generally live in a smaller apartment, where larger dogs need more space to move around and lay down to rest or sleep.   The first dog my husband and I had together was a very large Golden Retriever who when lying down took up more than half the floor in our small kitchen making it difficult to move around.

Don’t forget to check your lease or homeowners association to see if there are any restrictions on the size or breed of dogs allowed.

You should also think about the needs of the dog. Some small dogs are delicate and need to be handled with care.  Being stepped on or handled to roughly by a young child can cause serious injury. Also, small dogs tend to be more sensitive to colder temperatures so you need a plan to keep them warm. Some small dogs can also develop “tough dog” attitudes to compensate for their small size. Be sure you are prepared for this possibility.

Another consideration in determining what size is the expenses: the larger the dog, the more expensive things like dog food, dog supplies, grooming and medical treatments become.

4. How much energy can you handle?

When thinking about how much energy you want your dog to have you should consider what you want to do with your dog.  Do you want a dog that requires very little exercise and is content to just cuddle with you while you watch TV or do you want a dog that can take long runs with you during the week and go hiking on the weekends?

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As you probably realize by now the energy level of a breed matches the requirements of the breed’s purpose. So a dog that was bred to be in the fields chasing and retrieving prey will have a much higher energy level then a dog that was bred to guard your home. Even among hunting dogs you can see a difference.

Dogs like blood hounds that use their keen sense of smell to track down prey have a much lower energy level then dogs that hunt by sight like a greyhound.

In addition to physical exercise requirements many dogs need mental exercise too.   Herding dogs like the popular Australian Sheepdog need an activity that satisfies their need to work otherwise they may start to herd your children. Obedience training or trick training works well.

Even within the same breed you may find that dogs have different energy levels.  Make sure to spend time with your possible new friend to evaluate their energy level.

It is very important to remember that regardless of the breed every dog needs routine exercise, so make sure you can provide this or you will end up with behavioral problems.

5. How much upkeep are you prepared for?

As you might guess a dogs appearance will have a lot to do with how much maintenance they require.

Although all dogs need basic grooming, dogs with longer fur, or non-shedding dogs with hair that continually grows will require much more time and money to keep them healthy.

On the contrary most short-haired dogs are major shedders.  Some dogs can fall into both categories.  Our Golden Retriever needed to be brushed often to keep his long hair from knotting, and he also shed. A lot. Ear types also affect how much maintenance a dog needs.  Dogs with long, floppy ears require frequent thorough ear cleanings or they may get ear infections.

Confirming your choice

After deciding which breed you think best fits your lifestyle, take the time to meet with breeders and owners of that breed.  This can be accomplished by going to dog shows or just looking around your neighborhood.

Reputable breeders tend to be very passionate about their preferred breed and will be happy to answer your questions.

Going to a dog park can also be a great way to get a firsthand look at how the breed interacts with their owner, others and their surroundings.  Most owners are generally open to answering questions about their experiences.

Next step is deciding where you should go to get your new companion.

Are You Ready for a Dog ?

Are You Ready for a Dog ?

Dog ownership has many benefits and rewards.  It is easy to look at someone playing in the park or out for a walk with their dog and think how great it would be to own a dog.  Dogs are wonderful companions who are always happy to see you and never get mad at you.  But caring for a dog is a huge responsibility, both in time and money that should not be taken lightly.  Below we will explore the benefits of having a dog and ask 6 questions to help you decide if you are really ready for a dog.  

Are you ready for a dog? 6 questions you need to ask yourself.

The Benefits of Dog Ownership

As previously stated owning a dog has many benefits. Here are just five of the ways they can help make you happier and healthier:

  1. Dog are great motivators to get you to go for that daily walk or run. You may not feel like exercising, but your dog needs to stretch their legs every day and who can say no to that sweet face.
  2. They can help you become more social. Dog owners tend to keep to a walk/exercise schedule, which allows you to see the same people every day. The more you run into someone the more likely you will start a conversation. Plus you already have something in common to talk about.
  3. Reduced stress from increased exercise and social contact along with having that faithful companion waiting for you at home.
  4. Dogs can give you a sense of security. They often hear noises we don’t and sound the alarm.
  5. Owning a dog can give you purpose. Having a purpose in life contributes in a positive way towards your health and happiest. People who live a purpose driven life are known to live longer.

Are you ready for a dog?

Puppy with money in mouth

While owning a dog is a wonderful experience, you need to make sure you’re ready for the responsibility.

It’s important to ask yourself some hard questions and also make sure to ask anyone who will be living with the dog the same questions.

1. Do you have the time for a dog?

Someone needs to take the pup for a walk at least three/four times a day and also spend time playing with them. You also need time for training and general daily maintenance like feeding, grooming, brushing their teeth and cleaning up after your dog.

2. Are you prepared for the expense of dog ownership

Caring for a dog can be expensive.  Dog care includes regular veterinary care, such as annual exams and vaccinations as well as food, bedding, training, toys, grooming and a dog walker or doggy day care. To get a better idea of what you need for your new dog read our post on the 7 items you must have for your new puppy.

Plus as your pup ages there is a greater chance that they will need additional medical care.

3. Are you willing to include a dog in all aspects of your life?

Dogs are highly social animals that are at their best when they are actively involved in as much of your life as possible. A dog that is left alone most of the day will become lonely and destructive.

4. Do you have what it takes to train a dog?

Most behavioral problems with dogs come from training or lack of it. Dogs need to be trained to know how to act. If you don’t train them properly they will do anything they please, which will not please you. You need to be consistent, firm but loving. If you don’t know how to train a dog look for a good dog training class to attend.

5. Do you have the space for a dog?

Dogs can take up a lot of space. Smaller dogs take up less space but you still need a place for a crate or bed, food and water bowls, food storage and toys. Ideally, there will be some space to play inside on rainy days. Also make sure you are allowed to have a dog where you live.

6. Are you willing to make a lifetime commitment to your dog?

Dogs can live a long time. Large dogs can live between 10 to 13 years.Small dogs can live between 13 to 18 years.But these are just averages, some dogs may live longer.

Looking into the future

Beagle looking sad

Before deciding if you are ready for a dog you need to consider your lifestyle now and over the next 10 years.

  • What does your work schedule look like now and in the next few years? Often as we move up the ladder we need to put in more time at the office and more time traveling. Talk to people who are further along on your chosen career path to see how much time you will have in five years
  • You may be single right now, but what do you envision happening with your four legged friend when you meet the man or women of your dreams?
  • Take a hard look at your expenses and disposable income. Are you willing to give up getting the newest smart phone or chic pair of shoes to pay for any unscheduled health issues?  As dogs age they tend to have more health issues.  Pet health insurance can help to smooth out these costs, but make sure you know what you are getting in a policy. You can learn more about Pet Health Insurance in the post Pet Insurance – 8 Things You Should Know
  • You really need to know what dog care costs are in your area. Vet bills, dog food, supplies, dog walkers, and boarding all have different cost depending on where you live.   Estimate how often you will use these services and then call around to see how much they cost.  Like all other expenses you should have an annual budget for your dog.  Keep in mind that these costs will increase with inflation.

Try a trial run

Before getting a dog of your own, consider offering to watch a friend’s dog for a week or more to get a feel for what it is like and the kind of schedule you’ll have to keep. This will help you decide if you are ready for a dog.

Wait, there’s more

Curly brown pupy on sofa - Are you ready for a dog
Petfinder.com

Whew! That was some list, huh? But wait, we are not done yet!

More things to consider:

  • Your home will no longer be so immaculate!
  • Puppyhood only lasts 8 months or so. That cute little puppy will grow up to become a larger dog. Be serious about making a commitment to your new family member
  • Even if your child signs a “contract” to take care of their dog, you need to keep in mind that they can only do certain things. You, the adult, will ultimately take care of many, many things for their dog
  • Your children will grow up. Your 10 year old son or daughter who desperately wants a dog might lose interest when they are teenagers.  Also dogs generally are not allowed in dorm rooms which means when your kids move out the dog stays with you.
  • If you or someone in your family has allergies, bringing home a dog may cause them to get worst. Check with the doctor first to address any possible allergies. Also volunteer at a local shelter a few hours a week to see how you do around different kinds of dogs. Although there are no allergy free dogs you may react to some breeds more than other.

So, Are you ready for a Dog?

Remember, we aren’t talking about picking up the latest phone and upgrading it a couple of years down the road. You are making a LIFETIME COMMITMENT to your dog and I can’t state enough that owning a dog can be expensive and time consuming.

Only you can decide if you are ready for a dog. So please, think long and hard before deciding on a dog. It’s a lot of hard work but they are worth it.

Next Up:

Dog Adoption – Finding Your Perfect Pup

Dog Adoption - Finding Your Perfect Pup White dog named Bumble @ Petfinder.com

Updated – May 1, 2019

Dog Adoption – Where is the best place to find your perfect match? Now a days there are many places where you can go for dog adoptions. With so many options it is sometimes hard to decide. We will look at the pros and cons of each and touch on where you should not go for your dog adoption.

Where not to go for dog adoptions

Hopefully everyone knows that buying a puppy from a puppy store or a website that has many different breeds for sale means you are probably buying from a puppy mill. But did you know that “adopting” a dog from a puppy store can also mean you are buying from a puppy mill.

To get around laws aimed at stopping puppy mills, pet store owners are now offering dogs for adoption. But some of these dogs are actually bought from puppy mills.

Chicago Tribune Investigation

During a Chicago Tribune investigation they found that a loophole in the city ordinance allowed three Chicago pet stores to sell puppies supplied by rescues that are closely linked to longtime commercial dealers. Read more at the Chicago Tribune on line – Designer and purebred puppies from other states sold as rescue dogs in Chicago, outsmarting city ordinance

Where to go for dog adoptions

Rescue Groups vs Shelters

It is important to understand that a dog rescue group and a dog shelter are not the same.  Although they are in the same business, placing dogs into homes, how they go about it is different.   Rescues are independent and can choose which dogs they have available to adopt, where your county shelter will generally take in local street dogs or owner surrenders.  If you are looking for a specific type of dog, either a purebred or designer dog you will have better luck with a rescue that specializes in that particular type of dog.  

Another difference is that animal shelters typically keep their animals in kennels while dog rescues generally use foster homes.  There is also a difference in costs.  A true local animal shelter generally has a lower adoption fee.  Rescue Groups tend to have higher fees associated with their adoptions. 

Shelters

Dog Adoption - Where to Find Your Perfect Pup
Petfinder.com

If you would prefer the satisfying feeling of rescuing a dog in need and don’t mind the mystery of a mixed breed then a shelter may be the right place for you.   

Shelter Dogs have a lot going for them.  I can’t really explain it but shelter dogs tend to be more grateful.  They typically know what a hard life is and are more appreciative when they are given a good life.  Also since shelter dogs tend to be mixed breed (though you can find a purebred on occasion), the combination of two or more dog breeds can balance out their personalities, physical characteristics and health concerns.

Just remember that if you select a mixed breed puppy from a shelter there is no way of knowing exactly which breeds make up the mix, how your puppy will look or what health problems they may end up with. 

How to Find a Shelter

Finding a local shelter is fairly easy.  Just look on Petfinder.com or do a google search for local shelters.

Finding a dog that fits exactly what you are looking for at a local shelter is not.  We had a really hard time finding the right one. Read: Shelter Dogs – The Realities of Finding One to hear about some of our experiences in the search to find a dog.

Rescue Groups

Dog Adoption - Where to Find Your Perfect Pup

Within the realm of Rescue
Groups there are at least two categories.  The first are the rescues that do it for the love of dogs. Often they tend to be breed specific and have been around for a while.  They are generally founded by people who love and understand the breed, sometimes they are breeders themselves. It is a labor of love and not done for the money.   Then you have a new trend that has been labeled Retail Rescue. These Rescue Groups are in it for the money.  

If you look on Petfinder.com you will find a large assortment of rescues.    It is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a rescue who only wants to save the lives of dogs and the one that does it primarily for the money.  I might even argue that as long as a dog is being saved it doesn’t matter.  Right?

Sometimes it does matter

At its best retail rescues have beautiful dogs that are handpicked to be adopted quickly and the only downside is higher fees. 

At its worst retail rescues are a scam. Some will foster or kennel dogs out of state until they have a buyer. Then you must pay the non-refundable adoption fee before you can meet the dog.   You see the dog for the first time on the day you pick them up to bring them home.  It is not uncommon for the adopters of these dogs to be stuck with sick and dying dogs.   It had gotten so bad that the state of Connecticut created laws against the practice.

A word on Petfinder. com – We used petfinder.com to find our most recent pup. It is a pretty easy way to search for all the available dogs (and cats) in your area. Petfinder.com requires that all parties wishing to use their site go through an application and screening process prior to posting. They must also provide a letter of reference from their primary veterinarian.

Watch Out for Scams

To protect yourself use a reputable dog adoption website like Petfinder.com. Petfinder has a screening process in place to ensure only reputable rescues can advertise on their site. Then do your homework.  Do extensive research on any rescue you have an interest in before submitting an application. 

Research should include but not be limited to:

  • A general online search for good or bad reviews
  • Ask questions
    • How did the dog end up at the rescue?
    • Where did they come from?
    • Ask for proof of origin.
    • Find out as much as possible about the dogs background as you can.
    • Ask for the medical records and get the vets name so you can verify the information.
  • Check the IRS website to make sure they have a 501(c)(3) charity status – Tax Exempt Organization Search
  • Check to see if there is any feedback on the Rescue Group at these charity watch sites


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