Puppies are the one thing the kids have been asking for – possibly even for several years now. Every time the kids pass a dog belonging to one of their neighbors, it turns into a five-minute negotiation session: “Can we get a puppy?” Now that the family is finally ready to get a puppy, the next question is: should they get a puppy or adopt?
There is no hard answer to whether to get a puppy or adopt. The best answer for the family is the one that fits their lifestyle and schedule. Consider the following topics and questions before deciding what type of dog the family will get.
The Case for a Puppy
You control the early socialization window. A dog’s early months will form the temperament that exists when the dog reaches adulthood. By raising the puppy yourself, you get to be the one to expose it to children, noise, other animals, and new places, all of which will create a dog that is well-adjusted to the routines in your own family.
You get a full picture of the dog’s health history. Knowing the dog’s parents, their health history, and their vaccination records from the outset means there are few unknowns regarding the dog’s health.
Kids can be part of the whole journey. For families that wish for their children to take on a sense of responsibility regarding the dog, allowing the children to experience the entire dog journey from puppy to adulthood will enable them to understand the care that goes into raising a dog.
The trade-offs are considerable. However, puppies require a significant amount of work from their owners. During the first few months of a dog’s life, it will disrupt the sleep of its owners, it will require house-training, will require an amount of cleanup regarding chewed furniture, and will experience a learning curve for their owners that lasts between 6 and 12 months. Thus, puppies are appropriate only for families with time and energy to dedicate to raising a puppy.
The Case for Adopting
You often know more about the dog you’re getting, not less. Many shelters and rescues have notes about the adult dogs regarding their behaviors around kids, other pets, noises, and left alone.
Many adult dogs are already trained. They may already be house trained, obedient, and may even be leash trained because they came from a home rather than a puppy litter.
You’re giving a home to a dog that needs one. This is important for many families, and a great lesson for the children in the household.
The trade-offs for adopting an adult dog are that you won’t know as much about its health, and many may have behavioral issues due to their rough start in life that will take some time and possibly a trainer to overcome.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Whichever direction you’re leaning, don’t skip this step. A little research and preparation saves a lot of heartache later.
If you’re considering a puppy, be sure to ask:
- Can I meet at least one parent dog in person?
- What health testing has been done on the parents, and can I see documentation?
- What’s the breeder’s policy if things don’t work out — do they take the dog back?
- How many litters does this breeder produce a year, and how many breeding females do they keep?
- Has the breeder been vet-audited or independently reviewed, or is it just their word?
The last option is worth considering. Most backyard breeders and puppy mills will do everything to look good in their advertisements but hide the fine print or the fact that these dogs may not be as good as they seem once months have passed.
A breeder verification service keeps breeders on the straight and narrow and provides potential dog owners with information about whether the breeder is a legitimate individual who adheres to a code of ethics and passes regular veterinary inspections, as ensured by groups like Responsible Pet Breeders Australia.
If you’re considering adoption:
- What’s known about this dog’s history with children?
- Is there a trial or foster period before adoption is final?
- What behavioral or medical issues has staff observed?
- Is post-adoption support (training resources, a return policy) available if it’s not a fit?
Making the Final Call as a Family
However you decide about getting a puppy vs. an adopted dog, involve the children in the decisions they are ready to make about dogs – researching the breed or dog needs, chore responsibilities, and the lifetime commitment required of owning a dog. This conversation is important regardless of the age of the dog you get for your family.
