Looks aren’t everything, especially when adopting a dog

“Oh look at her. She is so cute. We have to get her.” This is a common thing to say when searching for a new pet. But it’s not the smartest way to pick out your new family member. Just because a dog is cute, doesn’t mean that he or she is the right choice for your family or your lifestyle.

At the Lynchburg Humane Society, we often see owners surrender their dogs because they are just too much to handle. What it usually boils down to is that the breed isn’t right for the family. A great example is a border collie. In my opinion, these are one of the most beautiful breeds of dogs. However, they can be a handful. They are very smart, and always need a job to do, meaning they must have some sort of stimulation or else they will find their own job to do. And in turn, you might not be happy with the job they have elected for themselves.

I will be honest, I have been guilty of the, “Oh look at her. She is so cute. We have to get her.” way of thinking. Seven years ago, my husband and I decided it was a good time to get a companion for Orion, our two-year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We decided we would like to have a puppy so she could grow up with Orion. The problem with getting a puppy that is an outright mutt is that you really have no idea of the personality because you have nothing to go on. The puppy we chose grew up to be a very active Australian Shepherd/Beagle/Jack Russell mix, at least that is our best guest. Regardless, she is very active and needs something to do anytime she isn’t sleeping. We are lucky though, we are a pretty active family with a lot of our activities dedicated to our pets.

Not everyone can be open to a pet that is going to be extremely active, or one that needs constant stimulation. So what should you do when searching for your new companion to ensure you get the right match?

Research the breed: If you find a dog you are interested in, don’t rush into the adoption. Educating yourself on the breed will help you decide if the dog is compatible with your lifestyle. Now I know what you’re thinking, what if the dog is a mutt? In this case, you need to determine what the primary breed might be, and then do research on that breed. In my experience, mutts make great companions because they have a mix of different personality traits, usually the best.

Ask for help: Another great thing to do is ask the staff members at the facility you are adopting from, most of the time they will know the typical information about the breed. They might also be able to tell you about the temperament, activity level and personality of the dog.

Spend time before adopting: Spending time with the dog will help you realize whether it is a good match. Visiting the dog a few times and having family members spend time with him or her is a great idea before making up your mind.

The bottom line is doing your homework before adopting, will help you make the relationship with your new pet a wonderful, enjoyable one.