--- copyright free by: http://www.DogFoodInsider.com---The Dog Adoption Bible Before, During, And After Rescuing A Dog -Written By: Carlotta Cooper www.DogFoodInsider.com
Before taking a trip to a shelter or meeting with rescue volunteers, it's a good
idea to consider what kind of dog you would like. Or, put another way, what kind
of dog would fit your lifestyle. Choosing a dog that matches your personality and
lifestyle will make it much more likely that you and your dog are a good fit for
each other and that the adoption works out well.
SIZE
The size of a dog is often a matter of preference, but there are situations where
you might need a larger or smaller dog. In general, smaller dogs do well in cities
and can adapt to living in apartments easily, but there are exceptions. Some
large dogs make good apartment dogs, too. Retired Greyhounds are owned by
many city dwellers and can live in apartments. They require a good run several
times per week but they are very relaxed and quiet in the home. Some smaller
dogs do not make good apartment dogs. For example, Beagles are small (up to
13 or 15 inches tall at the shoulder) but they are a hunting, baying hound breed.
They can be very vocal and your apartment neighbors will not appreciate them.
Beagles will do better if they have a house and a yard so they can make noise
without bothering people.
Small dogs typically require less exercise than large dogs. For this reason, large
dogs are often recommended for suburban and country living. A medium-sized
dog can usually adapt to living anywhere. When you meet a dog in a shelter, try
to estimate how big he will be when he is an adult. There is some truth to the old
saying that a puppy with very large paws will be a big dog as an adult.
Big dogs eat more; their vet care costs more; even their toys cost more. So, if
you get a big dog, be prepared to pay a little more each year. Small dogs can
cost less in some ways, but they can also need things like sweaters in cold
weather. Small dogs do tend to have longer lives than large dogs.
COAT
Coats can be tricky to guess, especially if you are looking at young puppies. In
general, dogs have short, long, and wirehaired coats. In reality, they can have
coats that are a mix of these textures, or curly or wavy or woolly coats; or a coat
that feels like human hair. For instance, Labradoodles can have multiple coat
types – and not all of them are good for allergy-sufferers.
If you have an allergy to dogs and you would like to get a dog from a shelter, you
may have difficulty. Just visiting a shelter will probably be hard for you since most of the dogs will probably cause you to have an allergic reaction. Instead, consider
contacting a purebred rescue for one of the breeds that is known to be good for
people with dog allergies. You can meet available dogs individually to see if the
dog causes a reaction. Breeds that are considered good for people with allergies
include:
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Maltese
- Poodles (Toy, Miniature or Standard)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard or Giant)
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless)
Otherwise, when considering a dog's coat, ask yourself if shedding will be a
problem. Contrary to what most people believe, longhaired dogs are not more
prone to shedding than shorthaired dogs. In fact, some of the biggest shedders
are shorthaired dogs such as Labrador Retrievers (and Lab mixes) with hard,
dense coats.
If you are interested in adopting a longhaired dog, ask yourself if you have time
for lots of grooming. Of course, you can always keep the coat cut short if you
prefer.
TEMPERAMENT
Temperament is one of the issues that you should consider carefully before
getting a dog no matter the source. What kind of temperament would you like the
dog to have? The dog you choose will become your best friend and you will
probably be spending hours everyday with this dog. Do you want a sweet, gentle
dog? A feisty, peppy little dog? A noble, brave dog? A merry, happy dog? Of
course we probably want our dogs to be all of these things but, how would you
describe the dog you are hoping to find? This is something to consider before
you go to the shelter.
Above all, it's important to get a dog with a good temperament. A dog should not
growl at humans or make an offer to bite or attack. There might be dogs at the
shelter or in rescue who have issues with aggression but you should leave these
dogs for professionals or experienced dog owners who either know how to work
with them or who will be working with dog training experts.
also read:
Dog behavior in the shelter environment
ACTIVITY level
Along with a dog's temperament, you should try to gauge his activity level. This
can be hard to do if you're looking at puppies. Puppies tend to play hard and then
sleep hard. It's all or nothing. Even if you're meeting a young adult dog or a
mature dog it can be difficult to judge their activity level at a shelter since it's not
a natural environment. The dog probably feels inhibited and may be scared. You
can try to spend as much one-on-one time as possible with the dog. Pet him and
talk to him. Try to put him at ease. Talk to the shelter workers or the volunteers
and see if they can clue you in about the dog's activity level and other things
about him.
If you live an active lifestyle you will be looking for a dog who will enjoy doing
things with you. For instance, if you like to hike or jog, you might want a dog who
will enthusiastically go with you on your outings. If you prefer to stay home, look
for a dog who likes to curl up next to you while you read or watch TV. Most dogs
can adapt and learn to enjoy doing whatever you want to do, but there are
exceptions. If you have an active dog he can go slightly nuts if he is cooped up a
lot and doesn't get plenty of exercise. This could manifest when he destroys your
furniture and starts having some behavioral problems. Likewise, if you take your
quiet dog with you when you pursue your outdoor activities, he might not be able
to keep up or enjoy them. So, try to find a dog that matches your own activity
level.
AGE
Should you get a puppy or an adult dog? Truthfully, puppies are usually snatched
up as fast as they enter a shelter, especially if they are small dogs. It can be hard
to get a puppy from a shelter, but not impossible. Most dogs available for
adoption are juveniles – young adult dogs. Sometimes they have been
relinquished by their owners because of minor behavior problems. They might
have been hard to house train, for example; they barked too much; or they
jumped on people or destroyed furniture. These are all common behavior
problems with young dogs and they can be stopped with some training.
Sometimes you also find older dogs at the shelter. They may have been lost or
they come into the shelter for a variety of other reasons.
Dogs of all ages have their pros and cons. A puppy is a clean slate. They don't
yet have any vices or behavior problems. On the other hand, puppies require a
tremendous amount of time and work. They don't know anything and you have to
teach them everything. Some people find that they are more work than they
want. But they are adorable. No doubt about that!
Young adult dogs often need some training so they take some work, especially in
the beginning. They are a project. But once you have their training underway,
they usually make excellent pets.
Older dogs require time and patience. There may be vet bills involved as the dog
gets older. At some point, possibly soon, the dog will die. You and your family
need to be emotionally prepared for this. But they can touch your heart and make
a great fit for less active individuals. Older dogs are not for everyone but they can
be very rewarding.
You should decide how much time you have to devote to training and caring for
your dog, especially in the beginning. This will help you decide the age of the dog
you should get.
Male or female?
Do you want a male or female dog? They both make wonderful pets. There's a
common belief that female dogs are bossier and possibly smarter than male
dogs, while male dogs are sweeter and love to cuddle. But there are plenty of
people who will tell you they have cuddly girls and smart boys. It's really up to
you to decide which gender you prefer. If you are going to have your dog spayed
or neutered then there is no risk of reproduction either way and most shelter
facilities require all dogs to be spayed or neutered before adoption.
