Hi everybody - I'm beginning to think about the next member of our pack. My dog is a neutered male 4.5 yr old lab/border collie/and probably dane mix, and he is very friendly with other dogs. We do agility and lots of hiking and backpacking. My older dog who died recently used to hang out at home "guarding" (hunting?) my cats while we were away.

I've struck out (interesting story in itself) on both an 8 yr old female German Shepherd and a 3 month female German Shep pup at the German Shepherd rescues, and decided to skip the Lab rescue for reasons related to my problem (distance) with the Shep rescues, so now I'm turning my attention to the many nearby shelters.

I thought I'd look for a dog in the 7-8 yr range or a young pup, just so the ages are spread out a bit from my Lab, and am not too particular about sex, but all things being equal, getting a female to go with my male is probably preferable to having two males.

That said, I now can't decide if it's better to get an older dog who deserves a decent life for the last few years, or a puppy so that they never have to have go through any of those bad circumstances, or an adult who has had a rough start but can have a lot of good times ahead. Of course the shelters are mostly full of young adults... 8 months to 2 yrs. Also, the older dogs get adopted the slowest.

Anybody have any good philosophy on this? I can only rescue one unfortunately, and the fit with the rest of my household is of primary importance, but there are also good reasons for and against the different age ranges so I thought I might get some good advise on here.

Thanks -

It's realy a six of one half a dozen of another question. I think the only right answer is to get the dog that speaks to you and feels right. I think we just kinda know these dogs when we see them.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

I think we just kinda know these dogs when we see them.

Yep! I think you could find a dog in any age category to suit your wants, really. Different dogs mature faster/slower and their unique personalities will be a big factor. Visit many dogs and keep an open mind. You'll know when it's "the one"
Also, while Male+Female is generally the easiest combo, it doesn't always mesh (back to personality again) Currently I have 3 male dogs(1 intact, 1 neutered last week and one who has been done for a couple years) and 1 female plus one other male that comes over during the day. They range from 7 to 87 pounds and all get along great. Leadership and personality will be your best deciding factors. (Have I said personality enough times in this post lol)

Edited by Amy VandeWeerd (01/20/2012 08:58 PM)
Edit reason: wanted to add "personality in one more time (not really)

Heh - yeah it's kind of a funny question. I think I'm not even exactly sure what I'm asking! But while finding the right fit is the most important thing for me, I also want to help the one that needs my help the most, since I can only help one.

On the other hand, I just got an emergency email from our county shelter a few minutes ago and they are completely maxed out. As I scrolled though their long list, I came to a little female lab-mix pup down at the bottom. She's just come in and will be available in a few days. I'd feel bad leaving so many needy older dogs in there, but she might be the right fit and at least I will have helped one.

Yep, as it's already been said, you should be able to find a dog that suits your needs and wants in any age group. I would see, meet, and walk a lot of different dogs in order to get the best possible match for you and your family. I would keep an open mind on everything including gender, color and age etc and look for the personality that is the best fit. Some shelters will ask if you want to introdouce your current dog to the potential new dog to see if they like each other. Others have foster programs and will sometimes let you foster to adopt a particular dog that catches your eye.

Also I currently have 5 adult dogs in my home, all altered, but 4 are males and 1 is a female. The last one to join our family was a 5yr lab with bad resource guarding issues amoung others. Like others have said, you'll know the one when you see and meet them. I would stress spending time with any dog you consider as there have been dogs I would have considered by looks but after I met them, it was very clear that their personality wasn't a good fit for us.

Ps: Please keep in mind what issues you can or want to deal with as that will also influence your decision. While most dogs are in shelters due to reasons that aren't their fault, owner died, etc, some do require experienced owners.

Edited by Dawna Provancial (01/21/2012 12:27 AM)
Edit reason: edited to add PS

 Quote: Matt Lang

I'd feel bad leaving so many needy older dogs in there, but she might be the right fit and at least I will have helped one.

While you feel bad leaving dogs there, keep this in mind: you are changing the world for the one dog you take home; you are opening up a space for another dog in the shelter; you are alleviating some of the overcrowding, possibly adding much needed days for some dogs to get adopted; you are opening up a space in a rescue that may have been thinking about taking the dog you adopt- thereby saving another; when people see how well behaved your rescued dog is, it may inspire them to rescue one too.

Adopting a dog is no small act. The ripples spread and affect other dogs in a positive way. Heck, maybe by reading this thread, you have inspired someone to adopt a dog

Good luck and we expect pics when you bring your new dog home

--Kelly

Matt, a descision like this, like Mara has said, is so difficult. Shelters, rescues, private exchange, breeders, news papers, advertising - there’s a lot of dogs out there that need homes.

I can only speak from personal experience. When I was younger I remember hearing about a dog that had puppies that needed homes and I was allowed to have one. Great dog, took me into my teens. Then out riding one day, a german shepherd followed me for a good 5 miles. Took him home, found the owners, returned him and got him back two weeks later. They couldn’t get him to stay home. We didn’t have a fenced yard either at the time but that dog never left our property without me - he found the home he wanted.

A few other dogs in there and onto the three I have now. I never went looking for anyone of them. I caught wind of the situation and they stole my heart.

You say you've "struck out" on a couple of situations. I’ll bet they are very interesting stories but I can't help but think they weren’t meant to be.

You've got a Lab right now. I'd be devoting all the time I could to him, lots of outings and just letting him be everything he can be. Get out there and have a great time with him. If you're not looking for a specific breed or characteristics and you keep an open mind, I can almost guarantee that right dog will come into your life.

And listen to what's happening through word of mouth too, a lot of people out there deciding that their dog doesn't fit into their lifestyle any longer.

I'm not in any way discouraging you from Resues and Shelters, I've worked with a few of them on a couple different levels and those dogs need homes just as bad as so many out there; but, sometimes you can save a dog the trauma of hitting a shelter. It's all rescue, a bad situation to a good one.

Don't force the issue if it's not coming together. Know you have opening and I'm sure the right dog will be along shortly to fill it.

Oh and don’t be afraid of two males, I have three and they get along famously.

Good luck in your search. Yeah you!!!

 Quote: Kelly

 Quote: Matt Lang

I'd feel bad leaving so many needy older dogs in there, but she might be the right fit and at least I will have helped one.

While you feel bad leaving dogs there, keep this in mind: you are changing the world for the one dog you take home; you are opening up a space for another dog in the shelter; you are alleviating some of the overcrowding, possibly adding much needed days for some dogs to get adopted; you are opening up a space in a rescue that may have been thinking about taking the dog you adopt- thereby saving another; when people see how well behaved your rescued dog is, it may inspire them to rescue one too.

Adopting a dog is no small act. The ripples spread and affect other dogs in a positive way. Heck, maybe by reading this thread, you have inspired someone to adopt a dog

Good luck and we expect pics when you bring your new dog home

--Kelly

Getting the right dog for you is key. I'd add how much "P/R" it brings to rescue when you adopt and train a dog and the well-trained results are out there for people to see.

"You've got a Lab right now. I'd be devoting all the time I could to him, lots of outings and just letting him be everything he can be. Get out there and have a great time with him. If you're not looking for a specific breed or characteristics and you keep an open mind, I can almost guarantee that right dog will come into your life."



This sure has happened to me, over and over!

Yeah, for sure hey. And it's so interesting about the ones that really need you. It's hard to describe but you just know.