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.

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. And pups with short fur can grow shaggy or curly, as well as turning from light to dark, in just months. It’s a miracle of nature, but it can be a bit of a shock when your teacup pup grows into the size of a mini pony.

An adult dog is fully grown and so you know how much exercise it will need, how much food it will need and what kind of grooming you have to offer. As a plus, you’ll know if its fur is going to show up a lot on your sofa or not too much.

Character can be tricky. With a pet, the previous owner will be able to tell you if they’re good with kids, dogs and cats. But moving a pet from one home to another is traumatic.

Dogs love as deeply as we do. Therefore, even if the pet moves from one happy home to another happy home, it will be a shock to them. And unlike humans, they don’t understand why their first family has gone.

The dog will need weeks to adjust and sometimes months. It’s a project that takes love and patience. If you have it in your heart to do it, that love will be given to you.