We have small children, so we probably should get a small dog, right?

Surprisingly, most often a medium to large sized dog works best in a home with small children. Small dogs are more vulnerable to being mishandled or injured by youngsters and are often quicker to protect themselves. Also, many small and toy breeds have a surprising amount of energy and can be too rambunctious around children.

There are certainly some small dogs that enjoy children and would do well in a home with them, but more important than size is temperament!

I’m looking for a house dog, but many of your dogs seem so big.

 

Don’t you have any dogs that will be good for living in town as inside dogs?

Absolutely! Many large breed dogs make wonderful house dogs. In fact, we prefer to place the dogs as indoor companions. Dogs are pack animals, which means that they need regular companionship and should not live a solitary outside existence. Experience has shown that dogs kept inside are more accessible to their human family and receive more attention and socialization in most cases. In fact, behavior problems like boredom barking, can often be resolved by simply spending more time with the dog!

Don’t overlook a dog because of its size. While it is true that a large dog can not always do well in a small apartment or mobile home and those bigger pooches need longer walks than a smaller dog to get adequate exercise, many of these dogs are couch potatoes! In fact, in some cases a larger dog is actually less active than a smaller one might be.

When you look at the dogs, keep in mind that it is not fair to bring a 100 lb dog into a one-room apartment without a yard or multiple daily walks, but that same dog might do quite well in a small house with a fenced yard and one walk each morning, especially if there is not a lot of activity in your home. Plus, if the dog is a little older, it may be ready for a more sedate lifestyle and be happy to just curl up at your feet for the evening once the initial “Welcome Home” is over!
If your living situation or physical abilities do make it important to keep looking for a smaller-sized dog, check in with us frequently, because we often get calls on small dogs, but they tend to get placed quickly and sometimes don’t even have to come in to the shelter before finding a new home.

How do I decide on the right animal for me?

Thank you for taking the time to research this important decision! The first step is to review your lifestyle. . Know yourself, your needs, and your expectations. Also, think about what you can offer a pet and what it is fair for the pet to expect from you.

You might want to talk to a veterinarian, dog trainer, cat sitter, or friends who have good relationships with their pets. Learn about different breeds. Then, get to know the animals at the shelter and decide on one that fits your lifestyle.
You might have to visit more than once, and you might want to check back every few weeks to meet the new dogs and cats that have come in to the shelter since your last visit or to see if the one that tugged at your heartstrings last time is still there hoping you’ll pick him.

Most people wouldn’t dream of buying a car after just a few minutes looking at one dealership; they research several makes and models, check out magazine reviews, compare pricing, and test drive a few vehicles, yet they only drive that car for 5-6 years before trading it in for a newer model. Remember, this is a lifetime commitment– this animal will live with you for 10-20 years, so you should spend some time exploring the different choices you can make. You cannot trade in your cat or dog if a more desirable one comes along!