Adopting adult dogs vs puppies

Unless you’re looking at a pedigree, you can’t be certain how a pup will look as it grows. A pup with small paws and short necks can grow up into a massive adult. Photo: 123rf.com

There are thousands of adult dogs needing a home. But as puppies are cute, there are puppy mills churning out more and more sellable pups, many of which end up unwanted on the streets and shelters a few years later. It’s a never-ending cycle.

So, should you adopt a pup or an adult dog? The answer isn’t cut and dried but there are some advantages to picking a pet who’s older.