Dog Adoption: Knowing the Basics

Dog Adoption: Knowing the Basics

When a family decides on the adoption of a furry friend, this decision is a life-changing one. Decisions between purebred, mixed or a life-saving dog rescue are upon the excited family members. Before anyone adopts a puppy or older dog, they should learn about the basics surrounding dog adoption so that everyone is pleased with the final outcome.

Choosing a Breed

There are literally dozens of dog breeds throughout the world. In fact, new breeds and mixes are being cultivated every day with enhanced breeding strategies. Families who want a perfect match for their home need to research the breed with care. Some dogs come with many inherent disease risks or behavioral quirks. Ideally, work with a dog rescue facility in order to learn about each potential breed. From size consideration to temperament, there are countless aspects about a dog to examine before bringing home that new friend.

Selecting a Dog Adoption Facility

Many dog adoption facilities are available to the public, including both government-run and private entities.  They will advertise free puppies for adoption or small dogs for adoption but you will be paying for the basic vaccinations and possibly the spaying or neutering of the animal. Regardless of the chosen facility, it should offer a safe and humane space for dogs as they develop from a puppy into a full-grown dog. Families will immediately know if a facility is of high quality when they step in the door. The facility should be clean with content animals in relatively, wide-open spaces. Facility administrators will normally run a transparent operation so that families can see training and free time with the animals up close.

Considering Lineage and Paperwork

If families adopt from a dog rescue, but they may not have a pet with papers because of their unknown background. Adopting from a professional breeder is different because there are lineage papers that become part of the pet’s history. A purebred animal should have papers that describe the names and dates of their parents and beyond. These papers help the family understand the exact breed while ensuring that the animal has a legitimate background. Any animal described as a purebred but without papers may not have the right breeding.

Getting to Know the Family

A family may already have a dog that needs to get acquainted with the new pet. In many cases, the adopting facility allows a controlled meet-and-greet scenario where the animals can interact for a short period. Alternatively, there might be a probationary period where the family cares for the new dog as they decide if he or she is a good fit for everyone. Although specific breeds have certain traits, each animal is ultimately a unique personality that needs to be matched to the right home.

Signing Up the Pup

When a family adopts a purebred dog, they’ll want to sign up the pet with certain animal clubs. Registering the dog as a purebred simply keeps them known in the industry so that the lineage can be traced with as much accuracy as possible. A veterinarian might also back up the purebred claim with a form of his or her own. Read over any information that’s officially made in the pet’s name so that every registration is accurate and cohesive. If the pet has any offspring, they’ll instantly have a strong history.

A reputable breeder is a great resource for new, dog parents. Keep in contact with the breeder because questions will arise as the pet grows and settles into the new home. Training might be a logical step with the trainer as well. In reality, most dog owners end up in close contact with the breeder so that the pet is always cared for by true professionals.

For more information about dog adoption in the San Antonio, San Marcos, Austin, and New Braunfels area or information on how you can assist with small dog rescue adoptions, visit our website at https://larascaninesolutions.com