Owning a Dog vs Adopting a Dog: Pros and Cons

QUESTION

Hi Kiara,

Are you doing well? I have some exciting news for you. I’m getting a puppy. One of my closest friends just got a Labrador, and seeing her play with him makes me feel surreal. I thought, why not get one too?
I enjoyed reading your dog behavior myth blog. Thanks for clarifying. Now I won’t be relying on decades’ assumptions; I will understand my pet better.
However, I’m curious about whether buying a dog or adopting one is better. I’d like to know the pros and cons of adopting versus buying.
Thank you very much for your help.

Love,
Josie!

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ANSWER

Hi Josie,

Wow, you’re getting a dog! Congratulations, that’s fantastic! Getting a dog is a big commitment, requires a lot of thought and consideration. However, buying versus adopting is where it starts. So many people tell you to “Adopt instead of Shop,” while others suggest avoiding them since you don’t know the dog’s background, and so on. Ultimately, there are pros and cons to each, so the choice is yours. Let’s examine the pros and cons.

ADOPTING A DOG

Pros:

• Compared to breeders, shelter dogs are very affordable. Shelter prices vary, but they are all affordable.
• Many adopted dogs come already trained. If you can’t devote the proper amount of time to training your dog and aren’t sure how to do it, this can be helpful.
• By rescuing a dog, you may even save a life. Even though many shelters are or will be no-kill shelters, it doesn’t mean the dogs there won’t deteriorate over time. Although you do not know the dogs’ backgrounds by fostering them, you give them another chance.

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Cons:

• You don’t know the dogs’ history, as I mentioned earlier. You only have information on the dog that the shelter tells you, which may or may not be accurate. Perhaps the dog has behavioral issues or nutritional concerns.
• There are no specific breed descriptions. Maybe there are genetic flaws you don’t recognize.

BUYING A DOG

Pros:

• Everything will be evident to you. The breeder will have a complete history of the dog and its family, so there will be no surprises. Plus, they’ll already be vaccinated.
• They’re purebred. Breeders can tell you what kind of dog you will get, as opposed to shelters. If you have a specific breed in mind, this could be a good option for you.
• This way, you will be able to meet the dog’s parents as well as his siblings.

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Cons:

• It can be expensive. The cost of your dog varies depending on the breed but can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
• Training your puppy can be tedious. Your breeder will expect you to dedicate a lot of your time to caring for and training your dog.

Buying or adopting a dog offers two advantages:

• The first is that you’ll make a new friend.
• Second, it will enhance your quality of life. Dogs are incredibly beneficial regardless of how you feel, whether you are anxious or depressed. They make you exercise every day, which is always worthwhile.

Regardless of how you choose to get a dog, you will have a loyal companion! With these pros and cons in mind, I hope you can make an informed decision about getting a dog. Don’t forget to click here for suggestions on accessories for your pup. I’d love to know what breed of dog you plan to get.

Love,
Kiara!