What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

My DH and I really want a dog. I have never even considered buying a dog from a shelter. I was always scared that you don't know what the dogs are a mix of, and if they will be aggressive.
Well, I went today with a friend to a animal shelter. The place comes highly reccomenend. My Dh and I saw the cutest dog that we both fell in love with. It is a beagle/hound mix. The dogs temperament is so mellow. He didn't bark at all and just wanted to be pet. He is 11 months old. I'm a little scared about adopting a beagle since I heard they bark/howl alot. But I don't think this dog was like that.
What is everyone's opinions about dogs in shelters? Do you think they are there for a reason, or can they be wonderful dogs? I love the idea of saving a pet. I really love this dog!!

Message edited 2/24/2008 12:04:12 AM.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Shelter dogs are AWESOME. There are a myriad of reasons a dog is at a shelter, but usually a shelter will NOT adopt out dpgs with aggression issues.

As for the particular dog you saw- just because a beagle mix isn't barking/howling at the shelter, DOESN"T mean he won't do it once you get home. Beagles are hounds, which are KNOWN for howling- so if that is a behavior you'd rather not deal with, you want to avoid all beagle mixes.

That said, I MUST reiterate- shelter dogs are GREAT pets. Kudos to you for considering it!!!!

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Shelter dogs are amazing. We got porter from little shelter in huntington. WE Absolutly LOVE him. He is a pitbull/boxer. One of the BEST DOGS we ever had. I feel safe when DH is not home, he was easily trained and we have had no problems with him. In the beginning I was scared of him because he was so shy and timid and big i thought he could snap at any moment. Part of the reason i wanted him. He was so shy we had no idea what happened to him before he went to little shelter. He was at west hempstead first and they were going to put him down at 5 months old. SO little shelter took him. He started to open up after a few days and now 9 months later he is amazing.

A shelter dog is a great dog. I would consider thier age and history before getting a particular dog from a shelter. But i would definately adopt another from a shelter.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Shelter dogs are great! And you are saving a life. Animals end up in shelters usually because of an irresponsible owner, Moving to an apartment that doesn't take pets, divorce. etc. It doesn't mean the dog is bad. As previously stated, shelters will not adopt out an aggressive dog.

all my shelter dogs have been awesome , they are so grateful too. The good thing is if you get an 11 month old, you see what you are getting. Shelters like Little Shelter, Bide a wee, and NSAL work with the dogs and have more info on the dogs than the standard town pound. So if you are really concerned, check out those dogs. But even town pounds can usually give you a little info on the dog.

As for beagles, Ive had 2 (1 mix, 1 purebreed). It's also a beagle/hound mix, so you are mixing 2 hunting dogs. They do bark, some more than others. Neither of my dogs were excessive barkers, but if they heard a noise they barked.They are good natured dogs. They are great watchdogs, but it comes with barking. They will follow a scent in the backyard for 45 minutes. It's cute to watch. And they love to chase the squirrels.

Good Luck finding a dog.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Shelter dogs are great. We have one from a breeder and my parents is from shelter. My parents dog, Annie, seems more appreciative of everything.

The one thing I have to warn you with is the barking. Annie showed no signs of being a barker at the shelter but after adjusting to her new home she became quite the mouth. That's her nickname actually - "Mouth".
I think she was intimidated by the other dogs so she was quiet. That doesn't mean that the dog you are looking at is a barker but if you have an apartment or a situation where you cannot have a barking dog then a beagle mix may not be right for you as they are known barkers. Good luck!

ETA: Annie was a stray and in the pound for 10 days. We cannot figure out how anyone could let her go. She was housebroken, well mannered, trained and intelligent.
Here she is the day we brought her home:

Message edited 2/23/2008 9:18:47 PM.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

I don't have a dog from a shelter, but our neighborhood has SOOO many people with dogs from shelters. ANd to be 100% honest, some of those dogs are much better behaved than my own, with so much better temperments. I truly don't think being in a shelter means they won't have a wonderful personality or that they didn't and that was how they wound up there. Just going by what I see with my many dog owning neighbors. Their dogs' great behaviors put my dogs to shame.

Message edited 2/24/2008 2:53:24 AM.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

We LOVE our shelter dog. Like the others, we really have no idea why he was given up. He was a 1.5 year old beautiful black purebreed cocker spaniel. He was dumped off at Brookhaven shelter and then taken in by Save-a-pet.

I highly reccomend save-a pet if you have a chance to go out to port jefferson station. They take dogs out of the shelter that have the best chance of getting a home. That way there is more room in the shelter for other strays and hopefully less killing. They try to adopt out their dogs quickly so they can take in more.

I believe save-a-pet told us that JJ was a gift. Our best guess is that someone bought him from a pet store as a cute little puppy and decided they didn't want the responsibility anymore when he was older

I too was hesitant about adopting an ADULT dog from the shelter because you don't know what their background is. Just make sure you get plenty of time with the dog and wait till he/she warms up to you so you can get a better sense of personality.

Good luck!!!

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

I have two shelter dogs....they are both the most Amazing dogs. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.
Remember, those dogs want nothing more than a loving home, if you can provide that, then go for it!

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Thanks everyone! Did everyone adopt their dog when they where a puppy or when they where more then a year old?

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

The vet estimated that Annie was 8 months.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

We adopted charlie when he was 3. He's 5 now

My prior shelter dog we adopted at 11 months. I have always adopted adult dogs. We work full time & felt an adult dog would be better for us than a puppy.

Message edited 2/24/2008 4:36:34 PM.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

shelter dogs are the BEST...I have had nothing but great dogs from shelters....

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Shelter dogs are amazing!! I hope you go back and get him...rescued animals are so greatful for loving homes.

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Re: What should I do? (Need opinions, especially from shelter dog owners)

Posted by Porrruss

Shelter dogs are AWESOME. There are a myriad of reasons a dog is at a shelter, but usually a shelter will NOT adopt out dogs with aggression issues.

As for the particular dog you saw- just because a beagle mix isn't barking/howling at the shelter, DOESN'T mean he won't do it once you get home. Beagles are hounds, which are KNOWN for howling- so if that is a behavior you'd rather not deal with, you want to avoid all beagle mixes.

That said, I MUST reiterate- shelter dogs are GREAT pets. Kudos to you for considering it!!!!