Whether you are looking for a purebred, mixed-breed, or mutt, Finding The Perfect Houndadore Breeder Or Rescue is a difficult decision. You will have to consider what you want in a dog and how much time and money you are willing to devote to training and medical care for your new pup.
Regardless of the breed Finding The Perfect Houndadore Breeder Or Rescue? you choose, a responsible approach to adopting will make your experience rewarding and successful for everyone involved. Here are some things to look for when you’re evaluating potential rescue groups and breeders:
The Group You’re Talking To
A reliable group should be non-profit, board- or tax-registered, and able to provide contact information. Additionally, it should have a transparent online presence.
The Vibe
You’ll feel better about a rescue group when you can sense that the people who are there are passionate about their work and happy to be involved. The group should be made up of volunteers who are committed to fostering animals and working with people in their community.
They should be able to explain the background of the dogs they have available for adoption, including their health and temperament. They should also have information about previous vet visits, existing health records, and treatments that the dog has received.
Body Language
A great way to determine the personality and temperament of a dog is to learn how to read its body language. This will help you pick the right one for your family.
If she displays stress signals, such as yawning or lip licking, it’s a sign she’s nervous and might not be the best match for you. If she displays a relaxed, friendly demeanor, it’s likely she’ll be a good fit for you and your family.
The Shelter Environment
If you have the opportunity to visit a shelter before you commit to adopting, do so. A weekday is a good day to visit because they tend to be more calm and less busy than on weekends. You can interact with the dogs a lot more, which will give you an idea of what they are like in a normal, everyday environment.
When you do come to visit, bring your kids with you so they can meet the animals and get a feel for what kind of dogs they will be able to interact with. It’s also a good idea to let your kids play with the dog before you adopt it.
Be wary of reduced-fee adoption promotions and special events at your local shelter, as these often result in an overload of visitors, a packed schedule for staff, and more stressed out animals.
Ask if the shelter has a meet-n-greet room where you can see the dogs in more than just one location. This is especially important if you’re looking for a shy or fear-aggressive dog.
It’s also a good idea to check the date the dog was spayed or neutered. This will help you determine whether or not she’s a healthy dog, or one that may still be recovering from her surgery and needing medication.