When looking for canine companionship, people often opt for a puppy because, well, they’re so darn cute. But many also believe adult dogs who’ve been abandoned or surrendered to shelters are somehow too damaged to make good family pets. Nonsense! The shelters are bursting with perfectly good dogs who need a little of your tender loving care to make them beloved members of your family — if only people would give them a chance.
Here are some of the myths around adult dogs and why you should give these loving pups a chance!
Myths and realities of adult dogs
Myth: You won’t bond as well if you haven’t raised the dog yourself.
Reality: Not so. A dog at any age can grow very attached to their person, often very quickly. What’s more, you’ll know just how affectionate your adult dog is when you adopt them, whereas an affectionate puppy may turn into an aloof adult.
Myth: Adult dogs up for adoption must have problems.
Reality: Dogs are abandoned for all sorts of reasons, and most of the time, it has nothing to do with the dog. The top reason given for surrendering a dog is “moving.” Another is “no time.”
While this means many shelter dogs arrive without the training they should have gotten, most problems are treatable. The ones with the most serious problems generally aren’t offered for adoption.
Myth: If I get an adult dog, I can only get a mixed breed.
Reality: In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds, and many breed rescue groups have purebreds looking for homes. If your heart is set on a particular breed, chances are good you can find an adult dog. But — we have to ask — why wouldn’t you want a mixed-breed dog?
What you see is what you get
If you’re still trying to decide whether to adopt an adult dog, consider the advantage of knowing what you’re getting.
With an adult, you generally know if they’re good with kids, if they make a good running companion, or if they aren’t too barky. Puppyhood is adorable, to be sure, but it often masks a dog’s true personality.
