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Things to Consider
When Adopting a Dog
from Science Prof Online
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So you want to get a dog. Where do you start? How do you choose? If you are interested in acquiring a purebred pup, with specific physical features and personality traits, your best bet is to search the internet for breeder. But if you aren't looking for a pristine pedigree, you need look no further than your local pound or Humane Society.
Consider Adopting a Mutt
The area shelter typically has a wide variety of dogs available for adoption, purebred and mixed breed, adults and puppies. A mutt can be a great choice for a prospective dog owner. Mixed breeds often have a more robust genetic makeup and fewer chronic health problems that do purebred dogs, that may have been the product of some degree of inbreeding.
There's No Such Thing as a Free Dog
But don't look to the pound with the idea that you can get a "free" dog. Shelters require that any dog adopted is, or will soon be, neutered or spayed. The adoption fee that you pay typically covers the cost of this surgery as well as all of the recommended vaccinations. Keep in mind that, no matter what you pay to acquire a dog, mutt or purebred, that cost is but a small drop in the bucket compared to the long-term expense of maintaining a healthy pet.
Regardless of the type or age of dog you consider adopting, here are some guidelines to help ensure that the pup you ultimately select is a good match for your lifestyle, personality and family.
Shopping List for Adopting Puppy
Head to the pound or breeder with a clear idea of the traits that you would like to have in a dog, both physical and behavioral. Do you want a pup or adult; large or small breed; sedate or energetic animal? It is easy to be swayed by an adorable dog that is entirely wrong you. So enter into your search with a flexible "shopping list".
Ask the Right Questions
Once have found a dog that interests you, do some investigating, a background check of sorts. You want to embark on this new relationship with your eyes wide open.
- If the dog is a mixed breed, what are the suspected or known breeds of the parents?
- If the dog is not full grown, how big do they suspect it will be when an adult?
- Does the dog appear to be healthy? Are its eyes bright and coat shiny? If not, ask the shelter employees what is wrong with the dog, and how the health problems can be addressed.
- If you have kids, particularly small children, ask if the dog is good with little ones. If the handlers assure you that the dog is good with children, bring in your entire family, so you can put the dog to the test.
Testing a Dog for Traits of Submission and Dominance
There is a very simple test you can perform to determine if the dog you are interested in is likely to display aggression towards members of your family. You new dog is going to consider the family to be its 'pack', and the 'top dogs' in that pack must be the humans in your household. If the dog that you are considering is very dominance-driven, it is likely to direct aggression towards members of its family pack.
To test the dominance drive of your pup, gently roll it on its back and hold it in that position while you stare into its eyes. If the dog quickly stops struggling and averts it eyes from your gaze, it is showing submission. If the dog continues to struggle and stare at you, it is more likely to struggle for dominance in your family pack.
The Key Question If Adopting a Shelter Dog
If you are adopting a dog from an animal shelter, probably one of the most important questions that you need answered is "Why is this dog at the pound?" Sometimes it is due to a behavioral problem that the previous owners couldn't handle. The dog may have been brought to the shelter because of any number of problems that you are not prepared to address, such as urinating indoors, aggression towards people or pets, destructive chewing, excessive barking or hyperactivity.
If the dog was previously in an abusive home, you may have a whole bevy of behavioral problems to contend with. Make sure that, if you adopt a dog that has established behavioral problems, you are prepared to put in the considerable time and effort required for your pet to unlearn these behaviors.
Adopting a dog can be a win-win decision, leading to a life-long friendship. Do your homework, and the story of your new canine family member is more likely to have a very happy ending!
Dog Adoption Resources
Considering adopting a purebred dog? See the American Kennel Club website for information on breeders in your area.
Considering adopting a shelter dog? See the website of the Humane Society of the United States, or your local Humane Society website, for tips to help you choose wisely.
This article originally appeared on Suite101 online magazine.
Page last updated 4/2012
Article Summary: Adopting a dog is exciting, but before you fall for the first cute face, consider why you want a dog, as well as the breed that best suits your personality and lifestyle.
Things to Consider when Adopting a Dog
Female English Bulldog named Betty Sparkles.
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