Choosing a Good Dog for Adoption

The type of dog that you will adopt often defines the future you have with your new best friend. If you pick the wrong breed, size, or temperament, both of you will likely end up not enjoying each other's company.

Each dog breed has characteristics that set it apart from the rest of the canine community. And while the dog's breed helps in approximating the general behaviour, temperament, and characteristics of the dog, it still comes down to the individual characteristics of your chosen dog. To find your perfect dog match, use the following information:

When adopting a dog, it is best to ensure that you and the dog is a perfect match. No amount of preparation though can limit your dog to the characteristics, temperament, and behaviour that are ideal for you. Nevertheless, several small preparations can help minimize the odds that you are adopting a wrong dog for you or your family. Adopt the perfect dog using the following criteria:

Before going out to find a dog for adoption, consider a list of characteristics that you would want in a dog. Generally dog breed helps. There are two kinds of dogs, the mixed, and the purebreds. Dog breeds have characteristics and traits different from other dogs although remember that even a purebred will display characteristics entirely their own and which will only be recognized later as the pup is growing up. No matter, there is no negative dog characteristic that is not corrected by training.

Breed of the dog

The dog's breed is critical in choosing a dog that will fit the credentials you are looking for. Sure, the breed's temperament and characteristics are just approximations of how the dog would turn out when it's full grown and that individual dogs have individual personalities. Still, the dog's breed can still give you an idea of what to expect.

Dog breed is the prime consideration when picking a dog to adopt and is probably the best criteria to begin with when choosing a dog. There are literally hundreds of dog breeds you can choose from. To make the selection easier for you, you can either choose use dog breed selectors available online or use some begin your search with the breed you have set your eyes on. You can also narrow down your choices to certain characteristics like:

- breed size,

- Energy level,

- exercise requirements,

- Playfulness,

- Affection level,

- Tolerance towards other dogs or pets,

- ease of training,

- Protection ability,

- grooming requirements, and

- Tolerance to heat and cold

Source of the dog.

There are plenty of places you can go to when looking for a dog ready for adoption. There are the rescue groups, the animal shelters, and local humane societies for dogs. These have individual preferences about the dogs they take in, which should give you an idea of what to expect in the dogs they shelter.

Animal shelter is the way to go when wanting to save a dog's life. Animal shelters don’t necessarily keep track of the dog's history so you can expect surprises as the dog grows old with you. Also, they often accept mixed breed dogs or mutts who possess unexpected characteristics. If you are not a big fan of surprises, you can look into the selection of dogs rescue groups have.

Rescue groups are, in general, the best sources for dogs that are good for adoption. These keep tabs of their dogs' history and the dogs' previous owners. So if you are interested in knowing the conditions from where the dog you are planning to adopt came from, a rescue group is the best place for you to begin your search. On top of these, rescue groups are very specific about the breeds they accept. They also shelter their dogs in actual homes, not in kennels.

Age

When it comes to age, you have three choices. You can choose from puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs.

Most people choose puppies because they are irresistibly cute and loaded with energy. They are also the hardest to take care of. When wanting to adopt a puppy, you should prepare for plenty of surprises such as accidents, misbehaviours, and the possibility of ending up with a dog that is different from what you expected.

Adult dogs are the ideal choice. They have already shown their actual temperament, size, attitude, and activity level. They are also, in most cases, already trained.

Senior dogs, on the other hand, are the ones that deserve adoption but are often not adopted. Would-be owners often fear that senior dogs are poor choices for pets. The reverse, in fact, is often true. It could be a very rewarding experience to bring home an aged dog, and a very compassionate experience at that. 

Consider your home.

Where the dog is going to is also crucial factor when adopting a dog. Some dog breeds are not suitable for families with children; others are not comfortable in confined places.

If you have kids in the family, the size and activities of the dog you are planning to adopt should be considered. Small dogs are likely to be abused when kids are around because more often than not, kids treat their dogs like they would their toys. Very huge dogs, on the other hand, are a big no-no for small kids. Children could be hurt around powerful, muscular, and oversized dogs.

Also check into the policies of the neighbourhood you are living in. If you are living in an apartment, check with your apartment owner for their pet regulations. You don’t want to adopt the perfect dog only to give it back to the shelter because of your living area's no-pet clause policy.

Whether the choice is to go for the pure or the mixed bred, find a dog that matches your energy level, one that approximates your characteristic or one the one trait that you value most. If you have a family, consider the one that will generally match theirs too.