adopting a one year old dog or a puppy?

Question

My husband and I went to the humane society today to look at a white german shepherd dog who is one year old, abandoned they were asking $150 for him. I spent half an hour with the dog walking, sit and other commands. They said they would give him to me, otherwise, they are putting him down in two days (euthenasia). I would like to get him. The girl said they were getting 2 golden lab mixed with golden retreiver puppies tomorrow. What should I do? Convince my hubby to get the shepherd? or let him get the pup?

Thanks for helping me make up my mind. This dog did bite but not break the skin of a woman that took two dogs from the shelter the same day and brought them home with another dog she previously had. She has a husband and two children. I personally think there was too much commotion going on for the year old shepherd. She had it for less than a month.

Does this change anyone's answer?

Answer 1

Did you bond with the sheperd? Is he what you want?
You sound like a 1 yr old is an older dog.
A 1 yr old is like a 12 yr old child. Definitely not too old to adopt.

Answer 2

This can be a tough call. My brother in law and wife decided to rescue a 7 month old lab mix puppy and she seemed to be a great dog. After having her home for a month or so, she began to show aggression towards visitors, specifically, she lunged at my husbands face one day when he did nothing to provoke it. He was just on the floor playing video games with his brother. This dog had been evaluated by the shelter she came from, but this behavior didn't come out until later on. Ultimately, they decided she was too aggressive and had her put to sleep as they felt it was the best thing. She may have hurt someone later down the line and they feared it could have been a child.

I am all about rescuing an older dog, if the dog is a good match for your family... I have done it myself. But the only possible issue with an older dog is that you simply don't know where they came from, or how they were treated. You have to be prepared for the possibility that some behaviors may show up later. In this case, you have to be ready and willing to go thru intense training to work on these issues.

All in all, I would certainly save the adult dog if I could, but do it with the side thought that it might not work out for your family and don't feel bad if it doesn't. At least you can say you tried.

Answer 3

Puppies have a much greater chance at getting adopted over an adult dog.
If you don't adopt a puppy, someone surely will. If you adopt the adult dog, you are literally saving a life and creating space for perhaps another adult dog to get adopted.
If you were pleased with the shep's disposition and temperament and feel he would fit into your family, at least give him a chance. Trust me, there will always be puppies, but remember they will be adult dogs too someday.

Answer 4

As the owner of 11 dogs I can honestly tell you that if a dog is a nut another dog will not keep the other calm.In fact the calmer one will think it looks like fun to run around the house like a mad dog also..I have 1 shepard and 8 pekes and 2 shih tzu's and I'll tell you when it's play time most will run around and play with one another but a couple will just look at the others and wonder whats all the fuss about..I am lucky I can take care of all these beautiful animals and they all get along well..If you want another dog and can handle the responsibility then get one for you.Go to the pound or shelter and bring your crazy dog with you and see which one he interacts best with as this should also be his choice..

Answer 5

Go with your heart.
You can get a dog that's already trained or you can get a puppy that you will have to train.
Puppy training is tough. You need a lot of patience.
If I were you, I'd get the year old dog. Much less stress with no training and it's still kind of a puppy.
Get the 1 year old!

Answer 6

Save the sheperd. The puppies will be adopted very quickly, but the older dog may not. Or, if you are like me - just get all 3 dogs and tell your husband to deal with it. He'll get over it eventually.

Answer 7

do you have the time for the proper trainging of a puppy they are alot of work and you are both gone from home 7 to 8 hours a day that is too long, but re-house training an adult dog is not too complicated... plus you also need to puppy proof your house and so on, no cords he can't be left alone any where he could cause some bad chaios...and how to decide between a puppy and an adult it hard but you have to think how much time and energy you too have? and how long before you don't have the time? what about vacations and weekends!!! just some thoughts..

Answer 8

Get the dog! Save a life, plus adult dogs are so much easier. They're already housebroken, and you skip that whole chewing stage. I adopted my doberman from the SPCA when she was a year old, and she is awesome. She's almost 13, and I've never had a better dog. I've adopted puppies also--never again.

Answer 9

i used to work at a shelter and i found that puppies go rather quickly saving the shepard would be so great and the older dogs always seem to be some much more grateful, they know what is like to be in a bad situation, and trust me they always seem to love you and be that much more greatful, geting a puppy from a shelter is almost like getting it from a breeder they don't remember that much from the first 8 wks, they will love you just as much don't get me wrong, they just don't have as much of the so grateful look in their eyes

Answer 10

Consider your household...

Do you have children? How will they react to an older dog? How will the dog react to them? Do you have other pets? How do you think the dog and other pets will handle being introduced to each other?

If you dont have kids or any other pets, or you dont think the shepard will have a problem adjusting, most definatly save that shepard. Older dogs are so much harder to find families for. Think about it, who doesnt love a cute cudley pup? Everyone (unless they are crazy and dont like dogs..lol) Now how many people want to save an older dog whos gone past the "cute clumsy puppy phase"...not to many.