How To Find And Adopt A Dog That Matches Your Vibe

A dog’s temperament is just as unique as your own. They have their own likes and dislikes, their own habits and quirks, and they can fall into bad moods and become depressed if their needs aren’t met. That’s why it’s essential to find a dog that you not only want to adopt, but feel able to properly care for as well.

Research Breeds

If you want to bring home a dog that matches your vibe, always start with the breed. Dogs have been bred over the centuries to have certain traits, both mental and physical, and knowing the basics of these will guide your decision. 

If you want a dog that’s easy to train and who can come on early morning runs, adopting from a litter of German Shepherd Puppies could be best for you. On the other hand, if you want a dog who loves lying on the couch with you but is otherwise quite independent, an American Bulldog might be the breed you’re after. 

Simply put, take a look through both physical and mental traits of each breed and see if they match up with what you want. 

Don’t Lie to Yourself About Your Own Habits

A lot of would-be dog owners think they’ll be able to change their lifestyle or routine in order to make it better for a dog. In some cases this does happen, but most people already have set, established routines that a dog needs to fit into, and not the other way round. 

As such, make sure you don’t lie to yourself about your habits or how hard they’re going to be to break. For example, if you don’t follow an active fitness routine right now, getting a dog who needs a lot of exercise probably won’t work for you! 

Spend Time with a Dog Before You Make a Decision

Even with the research above, you can sometimes bring home a dog that doesn’t quite fit in. That’s why you need to spend time with the dog you’re interested in before formally adopting them. 

If you’re buying from a breeder, make sure you see the dog in question, meet their parents, and get a look at their usual behavior. If you’re adopting from a shelter, go to meet the dogs to see which ones respond to you. 

In both these situations, the people looking after the dogs should be open to your request and actively encourage it. 

If a dog doesn’t match your vibe, you may not be able to take care of them properly. It’s a hard thing to face, but it’s important to keep in mind if you want to be a responsible dog owner.