What Are the Advantages of Getting a Puppy Instead of an Adult Dog?

Adopting a dog is a decision that requires a lot of thought and planning. Both puppies and adult dogs can be welcome additions to your family and both have their own set of pros and cons, depending on your family̵7;s size and activity level. For families with children and other pets, especially families that have the time to devote to supervision and rearing, adopting a puppy instead of an adult dog offers several advantages.

  1. Energy Level

    • If you̵7;re looking for a bundle of energy, puppies typically have the advantage over adult dogs. In general, adult dogs are calmer, less playful and less rambunctious than puppies. Adult dogs have gone through their infant and adolescent stages and may be content with spending longer periods of time alone without acting out. Puppies, however, require constant supervision to keep their child-like antics in check.

    Trust

    • Adult dogs, depending on their background, may have difficulty trusting you. They may have suffered previous neglect or abuse, causing issues with aggression, misbehavior or fear. Even in the absence of a terrible past, an older dog may have formed poor impressions of people that he may have difficulty overcoming. Puppies, while they may go through a period of adjustment, usually display an eagerness to trust you, because they have no reason for distrust in their young lives.

    Training

    • While the old saying, ̶0;You can̵7;t teach an old dog new tricks̶1; isn̵7;t true, it̵7;s typically easier to train a puppy than an older dog. Puppies have very little learned behavior and often have an eagerness for learning new things. Older dogs, on the other hand, may be more set in their ways and less eager to please, at least at first while they work through learning a way of life different than that to which they̵7;re accustomed.

    Animal Interaction

    • By placing a puppy with other household animals, such as existing dogs and cats, he will likely learn how to get along with them without difficulty. An adult dog may or may not get along with other pets, depending on his history. If he has never been around cats or other dogs, he may have problems coping and may display fear or aggression with them.

    Health

    • Adopting an adult dog brings questions about his health. Without access to his complete medical history, medical issues in his past that weren̵7;t correctly dealt with may cause problems in the future. In addition, just like humans, dogs develop medical issues as they age. Joint problems, heart problems and eye problems are all common in older dogs. Puppies, because they are young, are typically in good health.

    Life Span

    • While it̵7;s easy to estimate the age of a puppy, determining the age of an adult dog may be more difficult. Dogs typically have a life span of 10 to 15 years, depending on the breed. When you adopt a puppy, chances are that he̵7;ll live longer than an adult dog, giving you more time with him.