by Jimmy Flatbush

Created on: May 07, 2010

Millions of dogs sit abandoned in pounds, shelters, and rescue centers throughout America. These dogs need a home and, in many cases, are living on borrowed time. The amount of homeless dogs has prompted many state and municipal governments to promote adoption programs. Public service commercials that depict the sad, longing face of a puppy tug at the heart strings, provoking an emotional response from viewers who surmise, “I want that dog.”

Dogs evoke a number of emotions, most notably joy, profound love, and tender mercy. Every dog owner has a favorite image that captures the true essence of canine companionship. The image can be cuddling up with a Beagle on the sofa during a snowstorm or lounging in the backyard as the Golden Retriever plays with the children. The images coalesce to form the motivation for adopting another dog, especially after seeing the commercials and reading about the plight of homeless canines. Even if you have cared for a dog in the past, you must still pay attention to a criteria list before getting a dog. If this will be the first time you have cared for a canine, here is a short list of what to know before getting a dog.

Breed

Everyone has a favorite breed. Yet, their knowledge of the breed may be limited by popular culture and second hand information. It is imperative to understand the characteristics of a breed that you are considering for adoption. For instance, larger dogs tend to incur health issues at an earlier age than smaller dogs. Some breeds love children, while others become unpredictable around our little ones. Temperament, medical issues, and coat type are just some of the factors that separate canine breeds.

Time

Canines, especially puppies, require a time commitment from you, the human companion. This means more than a regular walk each night. Dogs thrive on the social interaction with their human counterparts. They are not to be adopted, and then relegated to the basement or backyard. You will need to make time in order to train your adopted dog. You will need to be available for playtime. Most likely, you will need to give your time at least three times a day for a walk, not just after you arrive home from work. Another time questions is how much of a contribution will family members make in caring for the dog

Financial

Dogs are a financial commitment, a fact lost on many people who adopt for the first time. Food, leashes, play toys are some of the recurring expense. However, the big cash outlay comes

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