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Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. And while many prospective dog owners, especially first-time owners, think they understand the depth of this commitment, it is often difficult for them to foresee the full range of such responsibility.
We believe that as dog owners, whether seasoned or new, being responsible for the overall well-being of a dog should be the forefront of every decision you make moving forward.
And responsible dog ownership doesn’t start when you get a dog. Making an informed decision and preparing yourself for the commitment that’s about to come is where it truly begins.
And that’s why in honor of Responsible Dog Ownership Month, we’re here to help you make an informed decision on where and how to get a dog. This is also a great opportunity to help your reflect on what it truly means to provide a happy, healthy, and safe environment for your dog, especially for first-time dog owners.
If you’ve finally made the decision to add a furry friend to your family and into your home, now it’s time to determine what route to take – buying or adopting? This is one of the biggest dilemma for many prospective dog owners. And making a decision between these options isn’t easy.
So, in this article, we’ll discuss both options of buying and adopting dogs so you can consider all factors for an informed and responsible decision.
Knowing The Difference Between Buying And Adopting Dogs
The first step to making a decision between buying and adopting dogs is to know their main differences. Below, we’ll discuss just that.
Buying Dogs
Buying dogs mean purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, at pet stores, and/or online.
Many people who buy dogs are often those who want a puppy, and/or have their hearts set on specific characteristics such as breed, age, color, size, temperament, or pedigree, which can be difficult to find at a shelter.
Buying can be more expensive, since people who prefer to buy a dog want to own a specific breed of dog, which leads to buying one from a breeder, at the pet store, or online.
Additionally, purebred dogs or dogs from highly reputable breeders can be quite expensive. And then reputable breeders also charge additional fees, on top of the purchase price, for vaccinations, health checks, microchipping, spaying/neutering, and many more.
Furthermore, buying a dog is more time-consuming, because you need to thoroughly do your own extensive research about the breed and find a responsible, and ethical breeder where you’re getting the dog from.
Adopting Dogs
Adopting dogs mean taking in a dog from an animal shelter, rescue organization, or even directly from a previous owner. These dogs are usually stray, abandoned dogs or dogs that need rehoming.
Unlike buying, adopting dogs involve a process that is focused on finding the most suitable home and owner for a dog.
So, when you adopt a dog, the organization or person where you’re adopting from will need to evaluate your lifestyle and also your ability to provide and take care of the pooch.
Adopting is not as expensive as buying. Because the adoption fee usually includes essential services such initial medical care, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc.
Furthermore, you might not have to do as much research as compared to when you buy a dog. Usually, shelters and rescue organizations have assessments of their dogs’ behavior and temperament. So, you have a generally good idea of what you’re getting into.
Pros & Cons: Buying vs. Adopting Dogs
Buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons. And making sure to reflect on these will help you make a choice the properly aligns with your lifestyle and your personal and ethical values.
Buying Dogs
Are you leaning more towards the option to buy a dog? Use the following pros and cons to help you become more confident in your choice or give you insight into why adopting dogs might be better suited for you.
| PROS | CONS |
| You get the exact breed you’re looking for: For people who have their hearts set on a specific breed, or for some that may be interested in dog shows, breeding, or for certain work, buying dogs from a reputable breeder will give them the liberty to choose and get the breed they’re looking for. |
Higher cost with added fees: Buying a purebred dog can be expensive. And depending on the breed and pedigree of the dog, the price can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. And on top of the purchase price, reputable breeders usually have added fees for health checks, vaccinations, etc. |
| You get to know their medical history Reputable breeders provide a dog’s extensive health history, ancestry, genetic testing, and screening for breed-specific diseases. This transparency helps prospective dog owners better understand what they’re getting into. |
You risk buying from an irresponsible breeder: Not all breeders are reputable and ethical. And it can be extremely challenging, especially for prospective first-time dog owners, to properly assess a breeder’s practices to find out if they’re ethical or not. |
| Dogs are socialized and trained from an early age: Puppies from reputable breeders are often raised in healthy and careful environments where they are properly socialized from puppyhood. This results in a better-adjusted and well-behaved dog. |
Accidentally supporting a puppy mill: If you do not do extensive research on the breeder, pet store, or online platform you’re getting your dog from, then you may unknowingly support puppy mills and unethical breeders who prioritize profitability over a dog’s health and well-being. These facilities often keep dogs in poor living conditions and fail to provide proper training and sufficient health care. Furthermore, puppy mills put dogs down when they are no longer unable to give birth, only if they survive long enough from the poor conditions they’re forced to live in. |
| You get guidance and support from breeders: This does not apply to all breeders, but for reputable ones, they will offer you with lifelong support. They can provide guidance on how to properly take care of the dog, which can be especially helpful for new dog owners. Furthermore, this support extends to them taking the dog back if you are unable to care for it any longer. |
Contributing to pet overpopulation: Buying dogs can perpetuate the cycle of breeding and selling dogs while million of dogs end up abandoned in shelters. Furthermore, this may not help the community, as a whole, address larger ethical issues such as the ongoing crisis in shelters with overpopulation and euthanasia. |
Adopting Dogs
Have you decided that adopting dogs is something that speaks to you a lot better than buying dogs? Well, here are pros and cons to help you seal the deal.
| PROS | CONS |
| Giving a dog another chance in life: Dogs in shelters often come from difficult and heartbreaking situations. When you adopt a dog, you’re giving them a second chance to live a happy and healthy life. |
Dogs have unknown or mysterious backgrounds: Due to the fact that most shelter dogs are abandoned, little is known about their backgrounds like their exact age, breed, health status, etc. |
| Lower initial cost: Adopting dogs doesn’t cost as much as buying them from a breeder. And the adoption fee often includes important health needs such as vaccinations, microchipping, neutering/spaying, and initial vet care. |
A lot of training and patience needed: Oftentimes, shelter dogs have behavioral issues and special needs because they were previously abused, neglected, or inadequately socialized. So, most of the times, shelter dogs need a lot more extra attention, training, and patience. |
| Shelter provide you with insight of a dog’s personality and behavior: Because most dogs spend substantial time in shelters, staff know their personalities well. You might’ve come across dog adoption profiles indicating that a dog does well in homes with no children, cats, etc. Furthermore, this insight also helps you find a dog that perfectly fits your lifestyle. |
Adoption can be a lengthy process: Adopting dogs can be a looooong process. This may involve application, interviews, home checks, and waiting periods. And this is all done to ensure that the adopter and the dog are a suitable pair. While this is done to ensure responsible dog ownership, some find the process draining. |
| Positive impact on animal welfare: Adopting dogs doesn’t only positively impact the life of a dog but also animal welfare as a whole. This is because you are supporting animal shelters and rescue organizations in their overall mission of saving animals and ensuring their well-being. |
You may not pass the shelter’s assessment: After going through a lengthy process, there is still that possibility that you don’t pass the shelter’s screening. Shelters want to ensure that their dogs are going to homes that can provide all their needs. And some even conduct home visits to ensure that you can properly take care of a dog. |
Buying vs. Adopting: Which Is The Better Option?
While buying dogs can provide you with a cute puppy, all the breed-specific characteristics you’re looking for, early training, it is a responsible dog owner’s responsibility to come to a conclusion with careful consideration of not only your lifestyle, but of larger issues such as the impact on animal welfare and other ethical concerns.
On the flip side, adopting dogs is not only compassionate but also an ethical choice. It saves lives, reduces costs, and positively contribute to animal welfare organizations. However, it still does come with its own challenges.
While both buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons, prospective dog owners should do their due diligence before choosing any of the options presented.
Furthermore, we want to encourage prospective dog owners to seriously weigh in both options with the primary focus being responsible dog ownership.
Because at the end of the day, whether a dog is purebred or mixed breed, a dog’s overall well-being should be at the center of your decision-making process.
Conclusion
Making a well-informed decision will not only positively affect you, but will also positively contribute to the dog’s welfare and the pet community as a whole.
As a prospective owner, knowing the weight of the decision to own a dog is important. Do your own research, reflect, and make a choice that truly aligns with your values and lifestyle.
And whether you choose to buy or adopt, we want to, yet again, remind that responsible dog ownership should be paramount.
