5 Reasons to Adopt an Adult Dog
Puppies Are Cute and Cuddly, but Adopting and Adult Dog Has Many Rewards of Its Own
2) Shelters and humane societies are full. Puppies are easy to find homes for, everyone wants a cute cuddly puppy. It is the adult dogs that are euthanized by the thousands every year while families fund puppy mills and private breeders by buying designer puppies that run upwards of thousands of dollars. Web sites like petfinder.comallow you to search for dogs by age making it easy to find an adult dog in your area. Your local humane society will also have a selection of adult dogs.
3) No house training! Most adult dogs up for adoption at shelters and humane societies are already house trained for you. Potty training is the number one reason that most people do not want to own a puppy, but all that can be avoided by adopting an adult dog.
4) Less exercise and calmer personalities. Most adult dogs have grown beyond the excessive hyperness of puppyhood and have less need for exercise. Adult dogs are great for families with children or older couples that do not have enough energy to take care of a puppy. An adult dog is also great for individuals or couples that work full time. Since an older dog requires less exercise they usually will not mind being kenneled for a few hours a day as long as when you are together they get to play and cuddle with you.
5) No need to spay or neuter an adult dog. Since shelters, rescues, and humane societies spay and neuter every dog that is not already spayed or neutered before putting them up for adoption you will have one less responsibility. A spay or neuter can cost hundreds of dollars and requires follow-up medicine and lots of TLC for the dog.
6) Love and appreciation. I hear stories everyday about how adult dogs seem to understand that you have "saved" them from being euthanized. A rescued adult dog tends to show a type of appreciation that is never found in puppies that were never re-homed. This attitude is especially apparent in dogs that were previously abused. There is a special bond that develops between a rescued adult dog and the dogs owner.
Published by Crystal Sciarini
Crystal Sciarini is a Certified bodybugg Coach, WholyFit Instuctor, and personal trainer. In 2009 Sciarini co-founded FGW (Fitness God's Way) Magazine. While, health and fitness is her main passion Sci... View profile
- How to Stop an Adult Dog from Pulling on His LeashHow to use a training collar to teach a pound dog how to heel properly.
Adopting a New DogA few tips on adopting a new dog and what to anticipate when bringing a new family member home.
Shelter Dogs - Rescued MuttsPros and cons about adopting a dog from a rescue, animal shelter or foster home, emphasizing the advantages of adopting a rescued mutt over buying a purebred dog from a breeder. 
Adopting a Puppy Vs. Adult DogBoth puppy and adult dog can be quite a challenge to adopt. See for yourself what you'd rather deal with: youthful silliness to restrain or mature character to learn and adjust to.- Training Your Adult Dog - Why You Really Can Teach an Old Dog New TricksThis articles describes how it is indeed possible to train an adult or mature dogs in spite of their age.
- Benefits of Adopting an Adult Dog
- How to House Train an Adult Dog
- Choosing Between an Adult Dog and a Puppy
- Adopting a Large or Adult Dog: Making it Work with Kids, Cats and Your Home
- Adult Dogs Can Be a Better Fit for Your Family
- How Adopting an Adult Animal Can Have Its Advantages
- Why Should I Adopt a Dog?
10 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article I have two American Bulldogs I rescued from a kill shelter. They are the best behaved of my four, I also agree I see the appriciation in their eyes.
We adopted an adult dog that was abused pretty severly, and left for dead. He is the most loving dog I have ever seen. I agree the bond is remarkable, and I swear you can see him saying "thank you" every time I look in his eyes.
I love dogs I have two of my own.
Great article but I'm one of those guilty of wanting a cute little puppy. Doesn't matter right now though since I can't get a dog right now anyways.
We adopted an adult dog from the shelter and couldn't of asked for a better one.We've had her for seven years now.
I've never bought a dog, never had a puppy... and NEVER had a complaint! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! (Dugg)
Another thing with Chief was he was only 2 days away from being put down when we took him home with us and I truely believe he knew we had saved him. The Humane Society worker said he was a very angry dog, but I'll tell you after we brought him home you would never have known it.
You know we had a choice after our first dog Sam passed away with getting a brand new puppy or going with an older dog. We found Chief who was almost 2 when we adopted him and a Boarder Collie, and he was an amazing dog for the 10 years he was with us. It's a little easier with an adult dog as far as the training and everything goes. He still holds a special spot with us and on the mantle, and he always will.
Thank you for this! So many people want baby, puppy, kitten, etc... but there are older animals, already trained, already lovable, just waiting for the right people to find them and take them home!
Thank you for addressing this important issue. Shelter dogs are in deparate need of homes. Good article.