There are a lot of pros and cons to adopting an older dog.  Some of the major concerns people voice about adopting an older dog are:

• An increased need for medical attention can result in costly visits to the veterinarian.
• Older dogs can have a history of abuse and/or neglect that can cause behavioral problems.
• Your time with an older dog will be considerably shorter than that of a young puppy.

There are, however, numerous advantages of getting an adult dog. While many of these will be dependent on the breed and age of the adult dog, there are some universal pros to adopting an adult dog.

First off, it’s quite easy to tell what an older dogs personality will be like before you commit to adoption. If having an excitable dog around the house does not appeal to you, it is easier to identify hyperactivity in adult dogs than it is to predict it in puppies.

Older dogs often have the tendency to be more socialized than puppies. They often understand at least basic commands and can, in many cases, be trained more easily than a younger dog. Also, older dogs tend to be more self contained. This means that they will likely need less attention than a puppy and can be left alone in the house without worrying about them getting into any major trouble.

Depending on its background and breed, older dogs are often more suitable for a family with children. Also, older dogs will likely bond more quickly with members of your family, especially if you are able to provide the dog with an abuse-free and loving environment.