Are you are looking for a new family dog? If so, you should seriously consider a "rescue dog". Where you live will determine if you have several choices in shelters, or if you are limited, to only one. It is worth your time to check out each shelter that is available to you.
When you have a number of shelters available in your area, you should check out each one to see how they are operated. Are they clean? Is the staff friendly and helpful? Do the animals look healthy? There are many things to consider when choosing a shelter for adopting your new dog.
Don't go to a shelter with a closed mind. You might only be looking for a specific breed of dog, and miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. You need to be open-minded when choosing your new pet. You may leave with a dog that wasn't what you envisioned having, that turns out to be the best dog you ever had.
Of course you will have to determine the size of dog you want for your specific living situation. If you live in a small apartment, or house with no yard, you may need a small dog that will spend the majority of its time inside. A large dog is probably not the best choice for apartments or tiny yards.
Sometimes only a very small dog will do, but even a medium size dog might turn out to be as good a choice, even with smaller living quarters.
If you have more room, or a large yard, a bigger dog may be what you are looking for. There is nothing like watching your children play with a big lab, or other "kid friendly" dog. These larger dogs can be very protective too.
If a purebred dog is a must for you, check a shelter anyway. Chances are they have one that is there because an owner could no longer care for it.
With so many unwanted dogs in shelters these days, you should be able to find a dog that will be perfect for your lifestyle. You will be giving a dog a chance at living its short life surrounded with love. All a dog wants in life is a little food and water and lots of love and attention from his human companion. Living in a shelter, even a great shelter, is no life for a dog. Face it, they don't have that many years compared to humans, and you can make that life special.
You will feel so good about yourself knowing you have given a good dog a stable and loving home. The enjoyment you can get from having a dog is amazing. The happiness they display when you come home is unbelievable. You are the most important thing in their life, and no one misses you when you have been gone than your dog.
Besides all the pleasure you will get from your new dog, there are other benefits to getting your dog from a shelter. They will usually have all their required shots. They may already be spayed or neutered. This saves you the time of having to get that done.
With a shelter "rescue dog" adoption, you will have fees, however, it will be cheaper than buying a dog from a pet store. Buying a purebred dog from a puppy mill will also be expensive.
When you adopt from a shelter, your dog will know you rescued it from a life in a kennel. That dog will always know it owes its better life to you. You will be rewarded with loyalty that knows no bounds.