Pound Dog Rescue

When choosing a new dog, there are a lot of factors to consider, but it’s important to sit down and really think about each one. One of the worst things that can happen to a dog is to be adopted into a new family only to be turned into animal control or a shelter a few months later. The very best and most important gift you can give your new dog is making sure you can be her “forever family.” In the dog world, that means you’ll take care of her and love her for her entire life. Adopting a dog is a big commitment, but with a little forethought and planning, it can be one of the most wonderful experiences you’ll ever have. Before you jump onto the dog owner wagon, answer the following questions to find your perfect canine match.

Q: How big a dog do I want?

This may seem like an easy question to answer, but be sure to consider all the factors. Very small dogs are often not good with young children and are more prone to biting, but they make wonderful companions for apartment dwellers and usually get along with other pets. Giant breed dogs need more space and firm training when they are young, but they are usually very gentle with children and can make you feel secure. Medium-sized dogs are often the best choice for an average family. A medium-sized dog can handle playing with rowdy kids and is small enough to be at home in most houses, apartments, and condos.

Q: How much grooming am I willing to do?

All dogs require some grooming, but short-haired varieties often need much less than those with thick or long hair. Some dogs don’t shed, but they will need to be clipped on a regular basis to keep from getting matted. Grooming is best done on a daily basis. Ask yourself honestly how much time you can take out of your day to groom your dog. If you say less than 10 minutes, get a short-haired breed. If you don’t mind spending 20 minutes or more, you should be able to meet the daily grooming needs of virtually any dog.

Q: How much can I spend at the veterinarian’s office?

Proper dog ownership is expensive (see “The Real Cost of Owning a Dog”). You need to look at your budget and decide how much money you can afford to spend on your dog’s medical care. Some breeds are prone to expensive health problems like hip dysplasia, cancer, and heart disease. The larger a dog is, the more expensive it will be to care for medically. Big dogs need more heartworm medicine and are more expensive to operate on. Mixed breed dogs are often (but not always) healthier and less prone to medical problems than their purebred cousins.

Q: Can I train a dog?

Training a dog can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be frustrating and time-consuming. Is the type of dog you want easy to train? Some dogs are more prone to stubbornness or independence than others. In general, dogs that were bred to work alongside humans like sporting or hunting breeds and herding breeds are easier to train, but they have a lot of energy to burn. Dogs that were bred to guard, catch vermin, or do other tasks independent of humans are sometimes more challenging to train, but they tend to need human companionship less and aren’t prone to separation anxiety. If you have never trained a dog before, you will probably want to enroll in basic obedience classes where you can learn from a professional. If training a dog doesn’t interest you at all, you’re in luck. There are plenty of wonderful adult dogs that are already training and looking for a new home.

Q: How much time can I spend exercising a dog?

Every dog needs exercise every day! The single biggest dog owners make is not giving their pooches a chance to burn some energy. There are some breeds of dog, mostly toy breeds, that can get all the exercise they need by running around the house and yard. However, the vast majority of dogs need to go for a walk and engage in vigorous play with their owners on a daily basis. How much time can you devote to exercising your dog? If you have 30 minutes or less, you’ll need a dog with low energy. If you can spend an hour or more, almost any dog will work for you. Be aware that many breeds, especially sporting and herding dogs, will become destructive if they don’t get a chance to run and play—the same is true of most puppies.

Q: How much outdoor space do I have?

This question is actually different than the one about what size of dog you want. Some very large breeds, like Great Danes and Greyhounds, can live happily in an apartment if they are given a chance to go on a walk once or twice a day. Some smaller dogs, like Shetland Sheepdogs and Pomeranians, thrive when they have a large yard to run and play in. Make sure that you can offer your new dog enough room for her needs, and be sure you can handle the mess a dog will make in your yard.

Q: How much noise can I tolerate?

Dogs bark, but, like humans, some dogs seem to need to talk all day long while others only speak when they really have something important to say. If you can’t tolerate a lot of repetitive noise, look for a quiet dog. If you want your dog to function as a burglar alarm, choose a dog that verbally greets new people and animals that enter her turf.

Q: What kind of temperament do I want in a dog?

Does your new dog need to live with kids, cats, or other dogs? Do you want a dog that welcomes strangers as if they were long lost friends or one that will alert you when someone new is near? Can you be with your dog most of the day or will she need to spend hours at a time on her own? Because dogs were bred for so many different tasks, they have a wide range of temperaments. Some dogs absolutely need to be with their people all the time. Other dogs will entertain themselves throughout the day and demonstrate little affection. Make sure you choose a dog with a temperament that is compatible with your needs and personality. In general, dogs bred to hunt and herd are friendly, outgoing, and non-aggressive. Dogs bred to guard, pull sleds, or kill vermin are more standoffish and don’t need human companionship nearly as much. Dogs bred primarily as companion animals are a mix of friendliness and independence.

Q: Do I care if my dog is purebred?

There is a lot of confusion about the value of a purebred dog vs. a mixed breed. The truth is, all dogs are unique and wonderful creatures, and their pedigree has nothing to do with their worth. However, there are differences between pure and mixed breed dogs that can be important. Purebred dogs are usually registered with the AKC or another dog club. Purebred dogs should meet a breed standard, so you know what a purebred dog should look like and have some idea of what its temperament should be. Purebred dogs are often more prone to genetic problems and usually cost a lot more than a mixed breed dog. If you have your heart set on a certain breed, consider rescuing a dog from a breed rescue.

The lineage of a mixed breed dog is usually uncertain, but experienced dog handlers can generally identify the bulk of a mixed breed’s genetics. For example, a shepherd mix will look different from a hound mix, and each will have a stronger tendency towards the characteristics of the dominant breed. So even when adopting a mixed breed dog, you can still have a pretty good idea of what you are getting into. Mixed breeds are less prone to genetic problems and are often inexpensive to purchase. However, with a mixed breed, the only way to be 100% certain what you are getting is to spend time with the animal.

Q: Do I want a puppy or an adult dog?

Puppies are adorable, and you may want a puppy so you can bond with your dog from a young age. Raising a puppy gives you a lot of control over what type of animal your pup will become. If you raise a dog from a puppy, you will have the opportunity to socialize and train it in the way that best fits your family, and you’ll get to enjoy that cute puppy stage. However, puppies are a lot of work, and cleaning up after a messy puppy can be draining. Puppies can be too rough for young kids and vice versa. Only take on a puppy if you have plenty of time and patience to commit towards turning it into a healthy, well-socialized dog.

An adult dog may not be as immediately appealing as a puppy, but there are a lot of advantages to adopting one. Adult dogs are often trained already, and even if they aren’t, they have longer attention spans and learn quickly. Adult dogs also have bigger bladders which means you won’t have to be on pee-pee patrol all day. Adult dogs are usually calmer and better behaved around children as long as they have been around kids in the past. The downside to adopting an adult dog is the inability to shape the animal during the vital 6-18 week age when a dog is best socialized. Adult dogs may come with fears and quirks that can’t be erased (although they can often be moderated with training), and if they haven’t been exposed to children or other pets, adult dogs may not be able to live with them peaceably.

A match made in heaven

Rest assured, the perfect dog for you is out there somewhere. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a dog that almost fits your wants and needs simply because you are in a hurry to adopt. Take your time looking for your perfect canine companion—when you finally find her, you’ll know she’s meant to be part of your forever family.