Purchasing a Puppy vs Rehoming a Dog

When adding a new four-legged family member to your home, the choice between purchasing a puppy or rehoming an adult dog from a shelter can be daunting. In this article, we’ll compare the benefits and drawbacks of both options to decide if rehoming an adult dog is the right decision for families with small children.

5 Benefits of Purchasing a Puppy

Several advantages come along with welcoming a new puppy into your family:

• Dog Training - when you purchase a puppy, you have full control over their socialization and training experiences which can help set them up for success later in life.
• Bonding - puppies have an amazing ability to bond with humans, which can be especially beneficial for families looking to bring a loving pet into the home.
• Health - purchasing a pup from a reputable breeder or pet store ensures you’ll get a healthy animal that meets all USDA regulations and doesn’t come with any medical surprises down the road.
•  House Training - when it comes to house training, teaching your pup good habits early on is key – this ensures they will know exactly what’s expected of them in your home!
• Affection - puppies are known for their unconditional love and affable personalities, which make them the popular choice for families looking for a new furry family member.

5 Benefits of Rehoming a Dog from a Shelter

Rehoming a dog from an animal shelter also has several tail-wagging advantages:

• Cost - adopting an adult dog can be much more affordable than purchasing a puppy, which is especially helpful for those on tighter budgets.
• Age/Size - shelters are full of dogs ranging in age and size, so you can choose the best hound that fits your lifestyle and family dynamic.
•  Health History - most animal shelters provide medical records with the pet’s history so you know precisely what medical issues they may have had in the past or present.
• Dog Training - if your family is looking for a hound that has already gone through the puppy stage, rehoming an adult dog from a shelter might be the answer. Many dogs looking for their new forever home have been socialized and may not require as much dog training as puppies.
• Rescue - perhaps one of the most rewarding benefits of adopting a hound from a shelter is knowing you’ve given it a second chance in life!

3 Cons of Purchasing a Puppy

When it comes to welcoming a puppy into your home, there are also some drawbacks:

• Cost - purchasing a pup isn’t cheap and often requires additional spending on vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc.
•  Time Commitment - puppies require more attention than adult dogs and may need to be taken outside more frequently throughout the day.
• House Training a Puppy - while training a puppy to your bespoke requirements has benefits, it also requires patience and consistency, as learning good manners and habits takes time.

3 Cons of Rehoming a Dog 

Rehoming an adult dog from a shelter isn’t a dog walk in the park, either! Here are some of the common cons associated with this decision:

• Medical History - although shelters provide medical records for their animals, you won’t know how that pet was treated or cared for in the past, which could lead to additional medical problems down the road.
• House Training - if you adopt an adult dog, the house-training process can be more challenging and require a lot of patience as they adjust to their new environment.
• Anxiety in Dogs from the Shelter - depending on the dog’s situation before adoption, it’s possible that their anxiety levels may be higher than expected, which can lead to behavior issues if not dealt with correctly.

The Final Yap!

Still wondering whether rehoming an adult dog is the right decision for families with small children? Ultimately, this comes down to personal preference and what works best for your particular family dynamics.

If you’re looking for a furry family member that requires minimal training and will fit in well with your home environment, then adopting an adult dog from the shelter may be the way to go. However, purchasing a puppy may be a better option if you prefer a more hands-on approach and would like to train your pet from the start. Happy hound hunting!

Image by Stephen Cruickshank from Pixabay