Female Dog Names Beginning With U

Tips For Choosing the Right Dog

So the time has come. You've decided that you'll be getting a dog. Congratulations! Now comes the most important part: picking the right dog for your family. It's tougher than it sounds.

If you're going to be going with a puppy, it's extremely important that you find a reputable breeder. Stick to breeders that follow breed best practices and that have the right certifications. Never buy a puppy from a backyard breeder. Backyard breeders often advertise locally with signs or on websites like Facebook and Craigslist. These breeders often do not care for their dogs, and allow them to live in terrible conditions for the sake of making money.

If you decide to go to a rescue, it's still important to find a reputable one. Unfortunately, some shelters do not take proper care of their animals. Check reviews online to see what others have to say about a particular rescue. If the rescue has a fixed location, pay it a visit and see what the conditions are like. Are the dogs being properly cared for, or are they living in poor conditions? Never let an adoption counselor push you into making an adoption when you don't want to.

Make sure you understand the characteristics of the dog you're adopting. This is especially important with rescue dogs. Ask as many questions as you want. The job of a good adoption counselor or breeder is to make sure their dog is going to the right home. They'd rather you ask lots of questions than end up with the wrong fit. Make sure to ask about a rescue dog's background and personality, including the reason it was surrendered to the shelter. If you're getting a puppy, try to meet the parents and ask questions about how the puppy has been socialized.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Berkay Gumustekin / Unsplash.