Why you should adopt adult dogs

It’s 2021! A new year, and a perfect time for a new start. Looking to make a change? Get a new haircut or move cities, or even just buy that lamp you’ve put in your Amazon cart for ages and that you can’t justify buying? Do it! And if you’re looking to bring every lasting love and joy in your life, then it’s time to get a dog.

First things first: getting a dog is a serious commitment, one that lasts for more than 14 years, and you should have put careful thought into the decision. This is another creature we’re talking about, and you must be prepared to love them with everything you have. If you’re thinking of getting a dog and are not sure what you should be considering, we’ve laid it out for you in this handy list.

But if you’re sure you want a dog, absolutely sure from the bottom of your toes to the top of your head that you’re ready for the commitment, then it’s time to consider getting an adult dog.

An adult dog?

An adult dog is essentially a senior dog or a dog that’s no longer a puppy. General consensus is divided on when exactly a puppy becomes an adult; it does differ from breed to breed. That being said, a dog that’s one to two years old is generally considered an adult dog. And of course, the term “adult dog” also includes senior dogs, which are dogs who are 11 years of age or older.

So when we say considering bringing an adult dog home this new year, we mean: don’t go looking for a puppy. Many people think of puppies when they think of bringing a dog home. To them, it has that “forever” sense attached to it. But adult dogs have an incredible amount of love to give and are often more suited to your household than puppies. Because most people don’t consider them as viable pets, they’re often overlooked and desperately under-loved. But we’re on a mission to change that. So, without any further ado—

Four reasons to adopt an adult dog

1. Introvert or extrovert? Energetic or Lazy? You’ll know!

One of the best benefits to bringing an adult dog home is that their personality has already developed. This means that you’ll know if your dog is an introvert or an extrovert, whether they like exercise or are a couch potato, and if they like cuddles or prefer to be petted in a stately manner.

These may sound like silly details, but they make a difference when thinking about bringing a dog home. You’re essentially integrating another family member into your life and it’s important to be cognizant of how they fit into your life plans and routines. If you like to hike on weekends, then a dog who spends all their time sleeping may not be for you. If you entertain on a large scale, then an introverted and anxious dog may take some getting used to. In all cases, simply knowing your pet’s personality can go a long way in making the match perfect and heavenly.

This is difficult to do with puppies. You can choose your puppy based on their breed with an expectation of what they will grow up into, but this can only be an approximation of their personality. As we always say “Every pet is unique” and there’s no telling who your little one will become. Adult dogs are easier to gauge that way, and will make it easier to plan your life around.

2. They’re potty-trained

Puppies come with a whole list of things you need to teach them about life. That includes potty training and general instructions on how to survive through the day. (On top of being destructive, puppies have no sense of self-preservation.) This isn’t an issue for adult dog; they will have been potty trained and have been alive long enough to know their way around the block.

Getting an adult dog, therefore, saves you all those hours you would otherwise spend on getting a pup up to speed on what it means to be alive. That’s invaluable if you have a busy schedule and don’t have as much time (or overall support) when it comes to raising your pet.

Of course, all dogs will need to be trained to a certain extent. You’re bringing them home into a new environment, so you’ll need to show them how to navigate their surroundings and how they should behave. But adult dogs have a huge head start on puppies, and can slot much better into an already settled life.

3. They’re good for children

Puppies may be small and adorable, but they’re also unpredictable. They’re keen to play, bite, and experiment and won’t know how to behave around people as yet. If you have a little one home, then a puppy may be rougher and more work than you bargained for.

Senior dogs are far better with children. They’ve lived their lives around humans, and they’re now at that mellow stage where very little phases them. Want to pull my ears, little human? Go ahead. Want to sit on my back? I’ll take it. Senior dogs will love your child like a grandparent would: with deep fondness and endless patience.

4. They’re overlooked and under-loved

We meant this when we said it earlier—so many people overlook adult dogs when they think of bringing a pet home that these poor jaans spend their time either on the streets or in shelters with no home to belong to. Several of the senior dogs in these shelters have belonged to loving pet parents who have died, and they’re now bereft and without a home.

There’s very little that’s as rewarding as bringing a senior dog home because these pets know how to love; they’ve been doing it for years and years. And they’ll repay even a little bit of kindness with their whole heart—unselfishly and without a second thought, exactly as dogs do. Each moment you spend with a senior dog or an adult dog is all that more precious because you’re giving them a home they wouldn’t have otherwise had.

And they treasure it, just as you will treasure them.