The decision to add a new dog to your family is always fun and exciting, and it inevitably leads to one question: Where can I adopt a dog? Once you've considered what type of dog is best for your lifestyle, it's time to decide where to look for your new best friend. This typically comes down to two options: a shelter or a breeder.
Read on for a breakdown between shelters and breeders — including how each operates and their pros and cons — to help you make an informed choice about where to get a dog.
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How Are Shelter and Breeders Different?
Shelters
Animal shelters give stray and surrendered animals a second chance at finding a forever home through adoption. Approximately 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year in the United States. You can get adult dogs and puppies from shelters, but puppies tend to be adopted more quickly than adult dogs. You'll find a wide range of breeds and breed mixes at animal shelters.
Shelters take in dogs from all sorts of life situations. They may be completely healthy or have preexisting health concerns. In many cases, the organization may not have any information on dogs' previous life experiences or how they affected them. Shelter dogs can be well adjusted and easy to care for, or they can have emotional baggage that requires patience, training and understanding.
Breeders
Reputable dog breeders preserve dog breeds' health and integrity through responsible breeding and husbandry. Dog breeders typically focus on one or two breeds and strive to produce dogs that fit breed standards and have minimal heritable health problems. They do this by carefully selecting the breeding parents and testing their breeding animals for health concerns.
Generally, a dog breeder's goal is to produce healthy, purebred dogs or high-quality show dogs. If you're focused on where to adopt puppies, breeders will have plenty to choose from. You may be able to acquire an adult dog once they've retired, but breeders typically supply puppies.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Dog From a Shelter?
If you're thinking about adopting your new pup from a shelter, consider these pros and cons.
Pros
Animal and Community Support
When you adopt an older dog, you give them a second chance at having a forever home. By adopting a shelter dog, you also help free up space for other dogs who need it.
High and Diverse Availability
Dogs are always available for adoption at a shelter, and you have many breeds, ages and personalities to choose from!
Initial Care Coverage
Many shelter dogs are already fully vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped and spayed or neutered. In other cases, shelters may provide these services at a lower cost as part of the adoption process. This can also reduce the initial cost of acquiring a dog.
May Already Be Potty Trained
Some adult dogs are already potty-trained. Depending on the shelter, some dogs may also receive basic training from shelter volunteers, but this isn't a given.
More Information on Compatibility
Shelter employees can often tell you whether dogs have any behavioral, mental or emotional concerns that might influence compatibility with your lifestyle and unique situation. When you adopt an older dog, you have a better idea of their temperament, likes and dislikes, and whether they do well with other pets and children, for example.
However, keep in mind that pets may act differently in the shelter environment. Employees can do their best to give you insights into their temperament and behaviors, but they can't guarantee them.
Lower Adoption Fees
Adopting a dog from a shelter typically costs less than getting one from a breeder.
Cons
Less Puppy Availability
If you have your heart set on a puppy, your options may be limited. In some cases, puppies may not be available at all.
Additional Training and Care
Shelter dogs often require additional training or retraining. Some dogs may also have stress or behavioral concerns due to their past circumstances or as a result of shelter life. That said, not all shelter dogs have behavioral issues.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Dog From a Breeder?
Take these pros and cons into account when deciding whether to adopt a puppy from a reputable breeder.
Pros
Breed-Specific
Breeders specialize in one or two specific breeds and typically are knowledgeable about those breeds.
High Puppy Availability
Breeders largely sell puppies if you'd love to raise a young pup.
Health Guarantee
Reputable breeders test their dogs to minimize the risk of heritable diseases, so puppies sometimes come with a health guarantee. This warranty promises the puppy is free from certain hereditary health issues up to a certain age or under certain conditions.
Possible Socialization and Training
Reputable breeders often temperament-test and socialize their puppies. Some reputable breeders carefully consider the puppy's temperament and your lifestyle to ensure the best match.
Cons
Higher Cost
Getting a purebred puppy typically costs more than the typical adoption fee from a shelter or rescue. You'll also often incur higher initial veterinary bills for vaccines, microchipping, wellness examinations and spay or neuter procedures.
Less Convenient
You may have to travel out of town (or even out of state) to find the puppy you want or have the puppy transported to you.
The Best Decision Is an Informed Decision
So, where to get a dog? In general, shelters are the best choice if you're flexible about breed and age and want to give a stray or surrendered pup a forever home (and free up space for other dogs in need). If you're set on a specific dog breed or puppy, a reputable breeder might be your best bet.
In either case, adding a new dog to your family is a big decision. Take time to evaluate your expectations, needs and life situation, and talk to the shelter employees or breeder about what kind of dog is right for you and your family. When you make a thoughtful decision, you take the first step toward a truly special type of companionship and a trusting, loving bond to last a lifetime.
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