Choosing a Rescued Dog From the Animal Shelter, Part 1

Key Takeaways

• When adopting from a shelter, you can only save one dog, so choosing wisely matters for both your happiness and the dog’s well-being
• Consider both short-term factors (health issues, kennel cough, dental needs) and long-term factors (allergies, lifestyle compatibility)
• Shelter staff can provide valuable information about each dog’s temperament, history, and known health issues
• Take your time studying the subject before committing, because once a dog bonds with you, separation is extremely difficult
• This is Part 1 of a three-part series documenting the process of choosing and adopting a rescue dog

Why Adoption Matters

We cannot save all the abandoned dogs. The adoption center staff openly acknowledges that they cannot keep all the dogs either. This reality makes the decision of choosing which dog to adopt both meaningful and weighty. If you can only pick one dog, the question becomes: what factors should you consider?

The answer, simply put: it should be the one you like the best with the least trouble both short-term and long-term. That sounds straightforward, but the details matter enormously.

Short-Term Considerations

When you first meet dogs at the shelter, there are several immediate health and behavioral factors to evaluate.

Kennel Cough: Many shelter dogs develop kennel cough, a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily in the close quarters of a shelter. It is treatable but can be alarming for new owners. Ask the shelter staff whether the dog has been exposed or is currently showing symptoms.

Dental Health: Shelter dogs often have significant dental issues, including tartar buildup and gingivitis. Dental work may be needed shortly after adoption, and this can be expensive. Ask about the dog’s dental condition and what the shelter has already done.

House Training: Some shelter dogs have never been house-trained, while others may have regressed due to the stress of shelter life. A dog that pees everywhere may simply be marking territory in a new environment, or it may be a sign of anxiety. Understanding the cause helps you plan for the transition.

Matting: Dogs with curly or long hair, such as poodle mixes, can develop severe matting in the shelter. This may require professional grooming shortly after adoption.

Long-Term Considerations

Beyond the immediate health check, think about how this dog will fit into your life for the next 10 to 15 years.

Allergies: Consider whether anyone in your household, or anyone who may join your household in the future, could be allergic to dogs. If allergies are a concern, hypoallergenic breeds like poodles, poodle mixes, or dogs with curly hair that sheds less may be a better choice.

Energy Level: A high-energy dog requires more exercise and stimulation. Match the dog’s energy level to your lifestyle. A three-year-old energetic dog needs a different commitment than a calm senior.

Size: Consider your living space, transportation, and physical ability to manage the dog. A large dog in a small apartment creates challenges for everyone.

What the Shelter Staff Told Us

The shelter staff member in this video walked us through everything they knew about the first dog we interacted with. Their insights were invaluable — they had observed the dog’s behavior, knew its medical history, and could speak to its temperament in ways we never could have assessed on our own.

Take advantage of this expertise. Shelter workers see hundreds of dogs and develop an intuition for matching dogs with owners. Ask questions, take notes, and do not rush the process.

The First Dog

This is Part 1 of our adoption journey, featuring our first meeting with a dog at the shelter. Part 2 will show the second dog we considered, and Part 3 reveals our final decision. We encourage you to watch the entire series, as the comparison between the two dogs illustrates how different the adoption choice can be.

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