| decision to adopt a dog will impact your life for | | | | care for them. Those canines who have lived with |
| many years. You'll enjoy the companionship and | | | | owners in the past are usually housetrained, and |
| unwavering devotion of a new friend. You'll also | | | | often have received professional obedience |
| be responsible for providing for his needs, including | | | | training. Also, keep in mind that dogs for which a |
| food, exercise, grooming, dental care, and regular | | | | home cannot be found are euthanized. Thus, |
| trips to a veterinarian. For these reasons, it's | | | | adopting a shelter dog literally means saving his |
| important to ask yourself if you're truly ready to | | | | life. |
| adopt a canine. Do you have the time, budget, | | | | As a side note, be wary of buying a canine from |
| and space to accommodate him? If so, you can | | | | a pet store. One problem with such places is that |
| expect to enjoy a deeply gratifying friendship with | | | | many of the dogs are pulled from puppy mills. |
| your new companion. | | | | They often have health problems and |
| In this article, we'll present an overview of canine | | | | psychological issues that may only become clear |
| adoption that takes you through the steps | | | | later. |
| involved. You'll learn about choosing the right | | | | Finding A Suitable Match |
| breed, where to look, and deciding on a suitable | | | | Avoid the temptation to choose the first canine |
| match. We'll also explain how to start your new | | | | that captures your attention. You'll be spending |
| friendship on the right foot. | | | | over a decade with your new companion, so it's |
| Choosing A Breed That Matches Your Life | | | | worth investing time upfront to make sure you |
| Many people prefer to adopt a purebred. To that | | | | choose wisely. The dog you select should fit the |
| end, each breed poses its own advantages and | | | | criteria you established earlier; its breed, size, |
| drawbacks depending on your lifestyle. It's | | | | activity level, and age should conform to the |
| important to research specific breed | | | | archetype in your head. If you stumble upon one |
| characteristics so you'll know in advance which are | | | | that seems to pose an ideal match, come back |
| less than ideal. For example, some breeds are | | | | the next day. That will give you enough time to |
| phenomenally energetic. If you enjoy jogging or | | | | be sure you're making the right decision. |
| bicycling, an energetic dog may be a good | | | | Adopting Your New Canine Companion |
| companion. On the other hand, if you live in a | | | | After selecting your new dog, you'll need to sign a |
| relatively small space (e.g. apartment), or are | | | | few papers to formally document the adoption. |
| confined to your home, such dogs are | | | | Next, the shelter will require a fee that pays for |
| inappropriate. | | | | spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and any related |
| If you're open to adopting a "mixed breed" (or | | | | expenses. They'll inform you of any known health |
| mutt), your options will increase substantially. | | | | problems as well as medications the canine must |
| Mutts may be unable to offer the traceable | | | | take. But it's important to have a veterinarian |
| lineage or breed-specific traits a purebred can, but | | | | perform a thorough examination to make sure |
| they also tend to be free of many hereditary | | | | small problems are identified and addressed. |
| problems. To be sure, a mutt can still suffer from | | | | Prior to bringing your new companion home, |
| specific hereditary health issues, but the list of | | | | purchase a dog bed, food and water bowls, a few |
| such problems tends to be shorter. | | | | toys, and a crate. You'll also need to buy a leash |
| Searching The Shelters | | | | and collar, grooming supplies, and food (including |
| Animal shelters are among the best places to look | | | | treats). These items will help your new canine |
| for a dog. Many of the animals in these facilities | | | | companion feel welcome and comfortable in his |
| have been abandoned by owners who moved, | | | | new home, providing a perfect start to a lifelong |
| grew too old, or lacked the funds to properly | | | | friendship. |