When people consider adopting a new dog, it’s important to consider what you want out of this dog. Are you looking for a lap dog companion? Or maybe you’re looking for a running buddy?
Choosing a breed based on your lifestyle is a must, but have you thought about what you want your new dog’s age to be?
If you’ve considered adopting an adult dog versus getting a puppy, there are many considerations. Today we explore some of the pros and cons of adopting an adult dog vs getting a puppy.
Adopting an Adult Dog vs Getting a Puppy
If your family is considering adopting a new dog, you should really consider the age of the dog you’d like to get. There are many differences between a young pup and an adult dog. These differences might not only be in their energy levels or overall health.
Look at some of the pros and cons of adopting and adult dog vs adopting a puppy below.
Pros of Adopting an Adult Dog
There are many reasons why you should adopt an adult dog. Some things to consider would include:
- Cost
- Activity level
- Your lifestyle
- Your willingness to sacrifice for your dog.
You Get to Skip the Puppy Phase
The “puppy phase” is a real thing. It’s the time when a young dog hasn’t quite come into their own. They are silly, curious and a ton of fun. But a puppy is untrained and doesn’t yet understand the expectations you might have for them.
This means you might come home to chewed up shoes. Your dog might have small accidents around the house for you to find. Your puppy might not yet understand how to act when with other dogs or people. This makes it your responsibility to help them learn.
One of the benefits of adopting an adult dog is that they likely have already learned these things. An adult dog likely understands that not everything in the house is their toy to chew on. Adopting an adult dog means you will be more likely to keep your sanity if a puppy seems like too much work.
Skip the Early Vet Bills
Usually one of the larger fees when adopting a puppy is the related medical costs. Most puppies will need to be given their initial exams and shots. Add in a fee for spaying or neutering and you will have a pretty big bill. Not to mention the actual fee of just adopting the dog.
If your family chooses to adopt and adult dog, you likely won’t be out nearly as much money. That is, unless they have a complex medical history that comes with them, which leads to the next point.
Learn About their Health History
An adult dog will give you a chance to learn about their medical history. You will have an idea of what you are getting into before you adopt.
Does the dog you are looking at have a ton of trips to the vet? Are they known to have allergies? Have they shown aggression?
These are all important questions to answer if you are adopting an adult dog. But the good news is that you will likely be able to answer these questions since adult dogs usually have a record of health.
When you get a puppy, it can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a bit mysterious. You are not so sure what you are getting into. Adopting an adult dog with a known history will give you a better idea of their possible future.
An Adult Can Hit the Ground Running
When you adopt any dog, there will be training that comes along with it. Even with an adult dog, you will have to teach them your expectations. That said, an adult has already had some time to become themselves.
You’ll likely know what your dog’s activity level will look like and you can make smart decisions based on that. If you are looking for a partner to join you in outdoor activities, an adult dog with a known history can be a good choice to match your lifestyle.
Pros of Adopting a Puppy
You Will Have A Long Time to Bond with Your Puppy
One of the biggest perks of adopting a puppy is that you will likely have a long time to spend with them. The average lifespan of a dog is 10-13 years. This depends on breed and health of course.
But if you adopt an adult dog who is already middle aged, you might not be able to spend as much time with them. This is a huge consideration for families with younger children. If your children form a strong bond with the dog, it would be a big blow to lose the dog. With a puppy, your family will have more time with the dog.
You Can Invest in Your Relationship
If you adopt a puppy, you will be able to put the time and effort into raising them. Any new dog will need training regardless of age, but a younger dog is much more malleable than an older dog. You can get on the good foot regarding setting expectations and socialization.
Raising a young dog can be an extremely rewarding experience and helps form an incredible bond with your dog. You can also trust that your dog will be around for a long time, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Adopting an Adult Dog vs. a Puppy
In the end, adopting a dog is a big decision in general. It should be treated as such.
Dogs of any age can still give you and your family unconditional love. It’s just a matter of opening your heart and allowing that love to grow.