Should I Adopt a Dog or a Puppy?
Financial
Adult dogs will be fully vaccinated. A puppy will only have its 1st shot, and will need 1-2 more boosters in 4-6 weeks ($25 ea.) A puppy will only have its first deworming, and will need 1 or more treatments ($5 ea.), plus fecal parasite checks ($13 ea.)
Personality
All puppies are cute and playful! However, they only stay small for a very short time, and as they mature their true personalities emerge. It is hard to predict what a puppy’s adult personality may ultimately be. Although proper handling and kind treatment can help shape a puppy’s behavior, a dog is born with a certain temperament, and it is what it is. Sometimes aggressive or anti-social behavior does not become apparent until the dog matures. Sometimes these negative tendencies can be trained out of them, and sometimes not. Therefore, if you are not a gambler, we suggest that you consider adopting an older “teenage” puppy or an adult. This way, “what you see is what you get,” and you can then select the dog that is perfect for you and your family. Remember, this is the dog that will be part of your family for the next 10-20 years - not the little puppy that was so darn cute!
Physical Characteristics
Likewise, unless you are purchasing a purebred dog from a reputable breeder, it is impossible to predict what a puppy will physically grow into as an adult. This is especially true with mixed-breed dogs, especially if you don’t know who the parents are, as is the case with so many shelter puppies. Shelters can only make an educated guess at what breeds the puppy looks like – and we’re often fooled! Small puppies, even those with small paws, grow into big dogs, or seemingly large puppies may turn out to be pint-sized adults. Short-haired puppies may grow long wavy coats, and fluffy puppies may develop short sleek adult coats. Again, if you have strong preferences along any of these lines, we suggest that you adopt an adult dog that has already physically matured.
Destructiveness
This cannot be emphasized enough - Puppies are a whirlwind of energy and have incorrigible will. They are babies and do not readily understand the difference between chewing their rawhide or nylabone or chewing the legs of your chairs, the knobs on your cabinets, your door moldings, your couch cushions, your carpet, your plants, your shoes, your electrical wires, your kid’s homework or your toes at the end of the bed. Puppies can wrestle and play very aggressively and need constant attention. “Needle teeth” is a term you will become very familiar with. “No bite” has absolutely no meaning for puppy the first zillion times you say it! For those of you who value sleep, a puppy is out of the question. Housebreaking a puppy requires frequent trips out to the yard around the clock.
Bathroom Breaks
Because puppies must go through housebreaking training and must be let out frequently, our policy is to not allow puppy adoptions to households where the adults work outside the home. In these cases, we will insist that you choose a dog that is better able to “hold it” for longer hours. In cases where the adults work long full-time hours outside the home, we suggest that you adopt a cat. Even adult dogs have a limit of how long they can be left alone without a potty break.
Health
All of our dogs are examined by a veterinarian, are vaccinated against distemper and parvo viruses and are dewormed. We will not knowingly adopt out a sick animal. However, we cannot guarantee the health of any of our animals. Puppies are especially susceptible to viruses and parasites, as their immune systems and digestive/intestinal tracts are very immature. A puppy appearing healthy one day can be very sick by the next day, and sometimes cannot be saved. The younger the puppy is, the higher the risk of it getting sick. Older dogs have stronger immune systems and more highly developed bodily systems and organs. Adults will be spayed/neutered before adoption. A puppy will have to be neutered when it matures. Though it’s generally a very routine procedure, there are always risks of anesthesia or complications of any surgery.
Young Children
By far, the most common victims of animal bites and scratches are children. Young children, no matter how well behaved, do not realize how fragile a puppy is and do not always know how to handle such a small animal. Toys and other objects are inadvertently dropped and puppies are easily stepped on. Therefore, for the protection of both puppy and child, our general policy is that very small puppies not be adopted to a family with very small children.
Puppies are one of the most endearing creatures on this earth. They call out to be held and loved and taken home. But before you answer the call, be aware that they require a tremendous amount of work. They will make or break you if you are not prepared. Too many wonderful dogs end up in shelters – or worse – because the charm of puppydom wore thin and uncaring or unprepared owners couldn’t handle the work and frustration involved.
If after careful thought and consideration you decide you are not prepared to properly care for a puppy, there are many adult dogs in shelters who would make a wonderful addition to your family. In this way, again, “what you see is what you get,” and you can then select the dog that’s perfect size and temperament for your family. Many are trained, many are housebroken, and all are in need of love.
We hope that this information helps you to make a thoughtful decision regarding adopting your new pet and that the resulting adoption experience is a positive one.