Tips for Adopting the Right Dog For You
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You've decided it's time to add a dog to your life, and you want to adopt, knowing you're giving a pooch a good home. Many agencies are ready to help put you together with your pawrfect furry bestie. But so many questions: how old should the pupper be, is choosing by instinct best, or should you look for a certain personality, age and size? It's a good idea to take some time to think about what you're looking for before you fall in love with the first pair of soulful eyes and wagging tail you see. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice!
Is Everybody On Board?
Dogs are typically woofderful additions to a family, so it's sometimes hard to believe that not every member of the family will be thrilled to live with one. Partners, spouses, live-in elders, kids and other pets should be considered. A big part of a buy-in is working out who will be primarily responsible for Fido's care and upbringing, and who can help. Not everyone is good at setting limits or enjoying endless cuddling, so it’s impawtant to talk about it!
Couch Potato or On the Go?
Your family's lifestyle and your future fur-baby’s activity level should be compatible! If you'd like a dog to run, hike and bike with you, and endlessly tossing a ball sounds like heaven, please don’t adopt a laid-back pug, bulldog or mastiff. They just aren’t suited to running and cavorting. On the other hand, if you like binge TV and long novels, they'd be pawrfect! Active outdoorsy folks will find terriers, labs and other working doggos a grrreat match!
Kids and Dogs
All children love dogs, and all dogs love kiddos, right? Not really. Adopting a dog doesn't mean an instant love affair. Some puppers are sensitive, even aggressive, to little ones. Others, like labs, love everyone! Doggy size and build matter, too. No delicate toy pups for families with toddlers or kids who don’t understand they can’t carry them around like their favorite stuffed rabbit! Sturdy and mellow are best pup matches for little humans!
How Much Will Adopting Cost?
Adopting a dog is a little like having a baby: initial costs can be overshadowed by long-term upbringing costs for the life of the child…or pooch. Food, leash, crate, a couple of balls to chase are all pretty affordable, but it’s wise to look your budget over before you bring a fur-baby home to ensure you can handle vet bills and other ongoing costs. Large dogs eat more than small dogs, and each breed or mix has its specific potential health issues. Taking these into consideration will help you find the right pup for you.
Home Sweet Home
In their dreams, puppers might live on a quiet farm away from highways, or in a neat, suburban neighborhood with a fenced, grassy backyard. But people in apartments love pups, too, and considering your home's size and layout, dog rules, fussy neighbors and green areas for walkies can help determine which is the right pooch for you. What’s most impawtant is the furtastic friends you’ll become, but a little thought into a fur-buddy’s size and temperament will make you both happier!
