Puppy or Adult?

A puppy can grow to be your best friend and a dedicated companion.  However, it is important to understand what you are getting into before going out and purchasing a dog from a breeder. 

First, make sure you think things through carefully and over a long period of time.  Adopting or purchasing a dog is not a decision that should be made lightly—it is important to understand that you are brining another creature into your household and to be aware of the needs of that animal.  For example, early training is crucial to the long term happiness of both you and your pet.  Obedience classes are a must, as are such points as house-breaking, establishing yourself as the ‘pack leader,’ teaching your dog how to greet guests and outsiders, etc.  This all takes a substantial dedication of time and resources.  A new dog in your household should be thought of in a similar way to having a child—while it may sound silly; the needs of the two are actually in the same ball park. 

One very important factor is the breed you choose. There are currently one hundred and fifty seven dog breeds as recognized by the American Kennel Club and each breed has its own unique traits, strengths, needs, and of course, weaknesses and problems. There are a number of websites on the internet with extensive information on the various breeds, and it’s important that you spend as much time researching your options as possible—do not make the all too common mistake of going out and picking a puppy just because you think it looks cute.

Furthermore, as opposed to purchasing a dog from a breeder (which can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the breed and the pedigree), consider adopting a dog in need from a local rescue organization.  A quick search online can help you find dogs in your area that are in need of loving homes.  Sadly, many of these dogs never find the homes they need, simply because folks purchase bred dogs.  It can be tricky to identify the mix of breeds in a dog you find at a shelter, but research, discussion, and naturally the help of the employees at the shelter can help give you an idea of what breed the dog is.  Once you have this information you can research online or in a library to learn more about the specific characteristics of the breed. 

If you do decide to adopt from a rescue, you have my thanks—you are doing a good deed and potentially saving a life—so pat yourself on the back.  If, for some reason, you decide it would be better for you to purchase a dog from a breeder, it is very important that you research not only the dog you are interested in, but also the environment the animal is bred in.  It is an unfortunate reality that many breeders you find have little interest in the animals and are far more concerned with earning money—these are the people you want to avoid.  Look for someone who truly loves their dogs and cares for them dearly.  This is the sort of breeder you want to give your business to—not only to encourage responsible breeding practices, but also because dogs that are bred in a loving environment are more likely to make successful, well behaved pets.

Everyone is surely going to get excited when trying to adopt a dog. Truly a man’s best friend, you can rely on your pet dog in giving you company, cuddling up together and some can even guard your house. You need to review your personal lifestyle and needs when adopting a dog. Should you get a puppy or an adult dog? This is the first decision you need to make before picking a dog. Please give this some serious thought. If you do, your final decision may surprise you. It is a major decision whether or not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on which dog to adopt, here is some useful information that might help you decide.

Most people don’t even think about the adult dog option—they just go out and get a puppy. They’re so cute! Adorable! Fun! Just the word “puppy” makes most people feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

But perhaps you should at least consider the benefits of an adult dog before making your decision: 

Ø  The habits, manners, and temperament of an adult dog (at least two years old) are already established and easy for you to evaluate. Most dog rescue groups, shelters, adoption services, etc., will allow you to take a dog on a trial basis. You can take him home for a few days to see if his personality is compatible with you, your family, your other pets—in other words, you can find out if the dog fits what you’re looking for a in a new furry companion. If not, you can usually take him back. With a puppy, on the other hand, you won’t necessarily know what kind of dog he will turn out to be, because this will depend very much on you and the time you spend with him.  

Ø  Adult dogs typically require less care, attention and training than puppies. An adult dog doesn’t need to go to the bathroom as often as a puppy. They are usually housetrained, and often know the difference between a chew toy and a favorite pair of shoes. An adopted adult dog may be an ideal “out of the box” companion that is so well trained, affectionate and “perfect” that you’ll wonder how anyone could give him up. But there is the possibility of the other extreme, as well. Each dog is unique. (Hence the period of trial adoption is very important).  

Ø  Adult dogs are less likely to be adopted from shelters than puppies. If you want to rescue a dog, picking an older one is more likely to save a life. 

Ø  You would have less of a fuss taking care of an adult dog. They already have this established behaviour that you can easily adopt too. By being with the dog more often, you would have more or less an idea of what its temperament is.  

Ø  You need to get as much information that you can when adopting an adult dog. Take note of its habits and mood swings. You can acquire these valuable data from the previous owners of the dog. Some adult dogs may have some behaviour issues. It is important to take note of them.  

Ø  It may take some time and effort for an adult dog to be completely comfortable with a new owner.  

Ø  Take note that you need to introduce an adult dog to your children and other household members. This would help the dog be familiar with them and helps them refrain from biting or barking thinking that they maybe strangers.  

Ø  Adult dog may not need your full attention unlike puppies need and would require lesser trips to the veterinary.  

Ø  For a fully grown dog physique and behaviour is basically not a variable anymore. What you see is basically what you get.  

Ø  Most dogs are housebroken already so they would cause lesser damage to your belongings and don’t wake up at night like most puppies do. They have over grown the impulse of chewing things he has his eyes on.  

Ø  An older dog can easily adapt to other pets, like other dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.  

The key to finding a good adult dog is to take plenty of time to evaluate his habits, behavior, and personality. Proper Training can correct many bad habits and teach good ones (yes, you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks!); but not all behavioral problems can be overcome. 

A puppy, on the other hand, is like a lump of clay waiting to be molded by you. You can raise him to be your ideal companion. This, of course, presumes you know how to train a dog properly and have the time—and the desire—to do so. But because you’re reading this report, we know you’re one of those rare humans who realize what’s involved and is willing to go through it anyway—and that whatever dog you bring home is going to be one lucky, well-trained, well-adjusted dog! 

Ø  Bringing up a puppy is an advantage because this means that you would guide its growth and well being. You would have the chance to raise it up according to what you want. This means you can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog food, ensure that necessary dog shots are given and prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your puppy personally trained is also a plus since you can teach him exactly what you want.  

Ø  You should adopt a puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers. This is a crucial stage for them. They somehow gain a psychological advantage for both puppy and for the mother dog as well.  

Ø  A puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as compared to an adult dog. Although most puppies may cause minimal to major damage to your personal stuff while they are in the stage of teething. They need to be housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort and patience from the owner.  

Ø  There is no assurance of what a puppy would look like when it gets old; especially it is a mixed breed. Also, his temperament might change too when he grows up.  

Ø  Most pet owners love how puppies can be entertaining. They are very cute and adorable pets that is a hit for both children and grown ups. Puppies can be easily regarded as one of the family.  

Adopting a dog is not an easy task and choosing which one to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet looking puppies, but not everyone can stand up to the tiresome house training. Though most would appreciate the bonding shared with them. Adult dogs need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you think is the right pet for you, just keep in mind that taking care of them needs a lot of time and effort. In return, they would always keep you company and has ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you every day. 

Keep this in mind: An adorable puppy will become an adolescent dog with a few months; that adolescent will quickly become an adult dog that can live from 10 to 20 years. So when considering a puppy, put a lot of thought into the grown dog it will become, and the long-term commitment you will make. 

All adult dogs were once adorable puppies, and all adorable puppies will grow into adult dogs.