Should you adopt a dog from a shelter or a kennel?

A purebred kitten or a stray “mongrel”?

For some people the answer is clear and unambiguous. And for those of you who are undecided, we have a few tips.

First of all, however, it is worth saying that the decision to adopt a dog, regardless of breed, age, sex or size, should be very well thought out. After all, you are then taking responsibility for someone else’s life. It should be noted that there is no better or worse choice. Everyone should decide for themselves, taking into account their preferences and abilities, we will only try to help dispel some doubts.

Why are people afraid of dogs from shelters, from volunteers, and from the street?

There are several deeply held beliefs about such dogs. For the most part, they have very little to do with reality. However, they do prevent many dogs from finding new homes.

Myth #1: Shelter dogs are aggressive.

Indeed, dogs from the street or even from someone’s home do not end up in a shelter for no reason. Many of them have been victims of human abuse, have been thrown out of their homes and have had to struggle to survive on the streets. Of course, one would think that after such an experience, a dog would be aggressive against humans.

However, this is often not the case. Dogs have an amazing ability to forgive, forget, love and trust people unconditionally. And even if a pet is initially wary and distrustful of its new owners, it feels their love, care and becomes attached. Although convincing a shelter dog to itself may require more time and patience, it will surely repay its owner with love and attachment. Certainly it will be helpful to get some knowledge from the shelter’s employees about our future pet, and if there are any problems, we can use the help of a dog behaviourist.

Myth #2: There are only adult dogs at the shelter.

This is not true. Volunteers and shelters also accept puppies. Unfortunately, small puppies or nursing females can also be abandoned. Those willing and ready to care for a small dog will truly have options.

Our consultants will be happy to help you complete the basket with the necessary supplements for the puppy. For the youngest ones we have special milk replacers.

Myth #3: Dogs in shelters are sick.

Most shelter dogs (and even dogs from volunteers) are vet examined, vaccinated, dewormed and treated as necessary.

If there are chronic illnesses, allergies, or special dietary and grooming requirements, the shelter will be sure to let the potential owner know. This will allow him or her to decide if he or she is ready for such a special dog.

DOLFOS PETS offers a variety of supportive nutritional supplements to make caring for a dog with special needs easier and its life comfort significantly improved.

Myth #4: Dogs from the street or from a shelter are not socialized, do not trust people and do not bond with them.

This opinion is pretty controversial. Yes, many dogs who have lived most of their lives on the streets or in a shelter may have trouble adjusting to new conditions at first. They are simply not used to being treated well by people and are wary. However, all animals, even those from the best kennels, can have more or less difficulty adapting in a new environment. What matters most is the owner’s good attitude, patience and support.

On the other hand, most animals in shelters seek human companionship. They happily greet visitors, lick their hands and try in every way to get their attention. Just spend some time and you can see how easily and joyfully such dogs engage in play.

Myth #5: A dog from a shelter should never go to a family with children.

The reasons for this myth are simple: the belief that aggressive, distrustful and withdrawn dogs end up in shelters.

Having seen many dogs both mongrels from the shelter and purebreds that were born to one family and then given to another, we can say with certainty: this is not so. To be more precise, it all depends on the particular animal. It’s not only previous experiences that determine a dog’s attitude towards children, but also its breed (genetics), character traits and how it is treated by a particular child.

Whether you choose a dog from a kennel or a shelter, it is important that all the residents are prepared to welcome a new family member. Observe and react to any inappropriate behaviour from both the dog and the child, and they will soon be best friends for life.

Myth #6: Shelter dogs cannot be trained.

We say that perseverance is the way to achieve one’s goals. Any good dog handler will tell you that the ability to understand, remember and follow commands does not depend on the animal’s background. What matters is the health and intelligence of the dog and persistence and regular training by the owner.And when you add treats to your workout…. you won’t have to wait long for results!

And what stops those who are afraid to take a purebred dog from a breeder?

As with dogs from shelters, these are often misconceptions.

Myth #7: Keeping a kennel dog is very expensive: expensive food, care and treatment.

For experienced dog owners, this is a ridiculous argument. If an owner cares for their dog responsibly and with love, they will never feed it improperly, and the cost of veterinary care is part of owning a dog whether breeding or from a shelter. Every living being deserves the same health care, regardless of background.

Myth #8: Pedigree dogs are more disease-prone and weaker than mongrels.

To repeat what we already discussed – dogs’ health depends on the conditions they live in, how well they are fed, how often they get vet checks and if they get enough nutrients and…love.We don’t know the history of every mongrel, and we don’t know what genetic load they may have. Registered breeders pay a lot of attention to eliminate potential diseases. Choosing a purebred dog, we can prepare ourselves for possible breed-specific dysfunctions and better cope with them.

Myth #9: Buying a dog from a kennel is snobbery

If someone decides to buy a dog from a kennel instead of adopting from a shelter, it does not mean that he or she “has no heart”. Such a choice is often dictated by the fact that we choose a breed with a specific character, predispositions, such as child-friendly dog, suitable for living in a small apartment. Buying a dog in a kennel we also support the development of the breed.

Remember, when deciding on a dog from a kennel always choose a legal, registered kennel!

We hope you found the article helpful. No matter where you get your dog from, you will need to be prepared for many hours of fun, joyful walks, funny and absurd situations, and the world’s sincerest moments of love. And DOLFOS PETS will always come to the aid of health issues.