Is it true that we need to get a puppy in order to be able to trust the dog around our children?

Actually, no. Many of the adult dogs in our care are quite tolerant of children and may have been raised around kids in their previous homes. In fact, when you consider an adult dog, you are looking at a mature animal whose temperament is established, so if it does well around your children at the shelter, it is not likely to change its attitude once it goes home.

 Of course, there is no guarantee (with a puppy or an adult) that you won’t see some personality traits or behaviors at home that weren’t apparent at the shelter but in general, an adult is more predictable.