by J.B. Doyle

Created on: September 04, 2009   Last Updated: September 05, 2009

Puppies are adorable. They're cute, hilarious, and playful. These youngsters are blank slates, and have probably never had to deal with abusive masters, hunger, and loneliness. But there are other dogs in shelters, often overlooked because they don't exhibit those endearing puppy traits, and they may be a little long in the tooth. Which should you choose?

Older dogs in shelters often arrive there due to no fault of their own. They're owner may have passed away; the family may have moved to a place where pets aren't allowed. People frequently give up pets when they're no longer a novelty; people often state that they no longer have the proper time to devote to a pet when they drop a dog off at a shelter. Other reasons for no longer wanting a dog range from all of the kids leaving home, allergies, a new baby, etc. Never assume that an older dog is in a shelter because it's somehow "defective.

The Benefits of Adopting an Older Dog

A senior dog is often more suitable for children or for people who are seniors themselves. They don't bark and nip as often as puppies do. Older canines aren't as prone to large bursts of energy, so there's a much smaller chance of knocking kids or older folks over in their excitement. They're through they're "teenage" years and generally have more patience with children than puppies have. They don't demand constant attention and are happy to sit at the side of their owner.

They already have developed a personality, and what you see is what you get. If an older dog appears mellow, a mellow pet is what you'll bring home. A little patience is required as they get used to new surroundings, but there shouldn't be any surprises behavior-wise.

Older dogs don't necessarily need more vet care than puppies. They will need maintenance checkups and shots just like puppies will. A check with a vet to determine the basic health of the dog will alleviate any fears about health. Shelters do allow a period of time to get for potential owners to have pets examined by a veterinarian before making a final decision to adopt.

Adult purebred dogs can be found at shelters. If a dog is no longer useful as a show dog, they're often left at shelters to make room for a younger dog. Wonderful pet search engines such as petfinder.com allow people to search for the breed of their choice in all surrounding shelters. A beautiful purebred animal can be found at a bargain basement price.

Older canines often have experienced some previous training. Although it may take a short while to kick in while they get used to a new home, they will remember once they get comfortable. They are more familiar with words such as "no" or "get down". Contrary to popular belief, many adult dogs in shelters are potty trained. Older dogs have normally become more socialized to other animals as well. They generally do better with other pets.

Choosing to give a senior dog a second chance at life is a decision that you won't regret. Older shelter dogs often remember previous affectionate owners, and will strive to do well and earn your love. These animals deserve a loving home as much as the younger ones do, and once the transition is made, dog and owner can be completely happy together for many years to come..

Learn more about this author, J.B. Doyle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.