What To Keep In Mind When Adopting A Dog From A Shelter


When adopting a pet, the first thing you have to keep in mind is that dogs are dogs. A dog from a shelter is not really so different from his counterparts: he has the same basic physical and emotional needs and the same capacity to learn and love. But he is special, too, in ways you will want to be aware of. For one thing, he is very likely a unique combination of breeds. The majority of shelter dogs are mixed-breeds, though some (more and more every year, in fact) are purebred. Some dogs can be easily identified as crosses of particular breeds while others defy all attempts at genealogy.

One disadvantage to adopting a mixed-breed dog is the uncertainty it involves. If you adopt a puppy of unknown breeding, for instance, you may not know whether he will grow up to be big or small, active or lethargic, outgoing or reserved, hooked on herding or fond of fetching, which are characteristics that you might be better able to predict with a purebred.

If your sights are firmly set on a particular breed and you can't locate the breed you want at a shelter or through a breed rescue society, you may have to purchase a purebred puppy in order to get exactly what you want. However, with so many wonderful dogs that are in need of good homes, you'll surely be able to find one with most of the traits you are looking for.

When you adopt a shelter dog, you also do not have the benefit of meeting his parents and knowing his family background. You won't know, for example, whether his mother had health problems that he could have inherited. And you won't know whether his father was extraordinarily hyper or high-strung. Therefore, you will have to be especially observant and savvy when you choose your shelter pet.

Heredity aside, keep in mind that your adopted dog may have some leftover physical or emotional scars that you will have to help him forget, even though his basic constitution will be, for the most part, strong and steady if you choose him intelligently. Many shelter dogs have had difficult beginnings and unpleasant pasts. Some have been abused; some have been neglected; all have been abandoned.

They may not be ready immediately to trust people, and who can blame them? Fortunately, dogs are very forgiving creatures, and they will almost always respond, sooner or later, to affectionate overtures. Keep in mind, then, that your adopted dog will need extra doses of love, understanding and patience as he learns to place his confidence in you.