Why do so many people suggest adopting an adult/senior dog, even when you are clear you are getting a puppy?

 I think its a little funny, your post.  In it you clearly state that you don't adopt purebred puppies, because you feel they have a better chance of getting adopted than the mutts.  Why then do you not understand why people suggest an adult?  You do realize its the same situation, right?  Puppies have a better chance of being adopted than adult and senior dogs.

And like many others have stated, many times an adult dog is a better fit for someone.  Many many posters have come on here asking what breed of puppy would be best suited to apartment life with owners that are away for 8-10 hours a day, can only walk them for two short walks a day, and have a size restriction in their lease.  They have been clear that they want a puppy, but would any puppy be right for them?  No matter the breed?  And yet that poor older poodle cross might just be perfect for them.  She would likely love a couple short walks a day, and a comfy place to snooze the day away while she waited for the people that loved her to come home.  

As Dog Lovers, its our job to suggest what we think would be the best fit.  That's why you don't often see us argueing about it in a thread like that.  Sometimes its just a pretty good idea. 

I think it is a matter of fitting the lifestyle..sometimes people who haven't had dogs don't realize the amount of time a puppy can take and don't realize that not all adult dogs in shelters have issues. When someone asks me for help in finding a canine companion, I try to help them find one that will be appropriate for them..be that a pup, adult, etc.

I've also helped people find responsible breeders when they're looking for a specific breed.

There is also a huge span from puppy to elderly dog..a good decade there.

I can say that I adopted Ginger when she was 10. She's a very youthful looking and acting little dog. Not once have I sat counting out how many years I might have left with her.  Not how my mind works, I guess.

 I acquired Toots at 10 weeks, best thing ever. If I were to acquire another dog it would be an adult. When Toots came into the picture I didn't work, I do now, so circumstances change. Also, I have a nuerological disease, basically my cerebellum is disappearing, so a puppy is out of the question, it would'nt be fair to the dog cause eventually I won't be able to give them what they need, so an older dog would be ideal.

I personally feel you aren't constantly thinking the end is near, you don't feel like you are racing the clock.

My name is Fergie.  My mom adopted me, and my mother, when I was 11 years old.  I guess I have been "racing the clock" for a while, because I am 20 1/2 years old.  I hope to have a nice birthday party on April 1st when I turn 21.  If I don't make it, so be it, but at least it won't be because I died at age 11 in a shelter...

I don't judge people for wanting puppies.  Homeless pups die in shelters, too.  There have been times when I have wanted a pup, and times when an older dog was a good fit for my situation.  But, there are many people who adopt puppies without considering the time and trouble it is to raise them, and for whom an adult dog would have been better.  Sadly, sometimes these people labor under the myth that older dogs have bad habits, that they can't be trained, or that they will die soon (they don't always, just ask Fergie).

One of the greatest things I saw that gives me hope for humanity is when I saw a family adopt an elderly Blue Merle Great Dane who was obviously suffering from Hip Dysplasia and who's paws were messed up from the condition. Seriously, my 85 year old father-in-law with his walker can walk faster.

No telling how many years that GD might have left but at least his last years, however long they are, is with a loving family that does not find him disposable.

Also, I think, whenever we people do adopt or rescue, adopt the dog because it's the right dog for you, not necessarily because of age or breed, though those might be important considerations at the time, as well. In my book, it doesn't have to matter so much what dog you adopted as long as it's the right dog for you at that time.

"Getting Lucky" is a book so intense that I have read it only one time. The Angel Animal Hospice, where this lady takes in the old, broken down, sick dogs that were too much for others to care for, she cares for. She is supported by her own money and private donations only. Yet she is able to get meds and feeds them as completely raw as their systems can handle. The title of the book comes from Lucky, a tuxedo Great Dane who had a myriad of problems stemming from an eternity of abuse. And remained a "gentleman" to his last breath.

The quote in my sig is not just something to fill some space.

kpwlee

AgileGSD

Abbeyroad86

Anyways I am just curious why people suggest adopting an adult or senior dog?

  Same reason people push rescues when even when someone is clear they are looking at getting a purebred puppy.

 

Not sure you read any responses but people have real reasons for adopting older pets and many 'rescues' are purebred, which I am sure you are aware of.  I'm sorry you have such a negative spin on things

 I'm all for that!

 But when someone specifically is looking for a puppy or a purebred puppy, people still strongly push for them to get a rescue/rescue adult instead. I see it all the time, not just here on this forum. I guess the reason is that is is not PC to want a purebred puppy and sometimes, it is not PC to want a puppy at all.

AgileGSD

But when someone specifically is looking for a puppy or a purebred puppy, people still strongly push for them to get a rescue/rescue adult instead. I see it all the time, not just here on this forum. I guess the reason is that is is not PC to want a purebred puppy and sometimes, it is not PC to want a puppy at all.

I must live in a great area because I have NEVER ran into an issue like this. 

BEVOLASVEGAS

AgileGSD

But when someone specifically is looking for a puppy or a purebred puppy, people still strongly push for them to get a rescue/rescue adult instead. I see it all the time, not just here on this forum. I guess the reason is that is is not PC to want a purebred puppy and sometimes, it is not PC to want a puppy at all.

I must live in a great area because I have NEVER ran into an issue like this. 

I agree.  I really have no problem with people wanting a purebred, or wanting a puppy, so long as they understand and can handle the commitment.  And, in fact, I have as much problem with people who want to save them all as I do with those who say never buy a dog.  I always want to ask them if they think we should save the hopelessly aggressive dog with skin problems that can only live in a home with no kids, no cats, no other dogs, while the sweet older dog in the corner cage who would love everyone and tolerate everything gets PTS???  To be honest, if everyone got puppies and socialized and trained them well from birth, would we even have the shelter dog population that we do now?  All of this begs the question if anything will ever really change...humans want what they want when they want it, and have little patience as a race.

spiritdogs

I really have no problem with people wanting a purebred, or wanting a puppy, so long as they understand and can handle the commitment.  And, in fact, I have as much problem with people who want to save them all as I do with those who say never buy a dog.  I always want to ask them if they think we should save the hopelessly aggressive dog with skin problems that can only live in a home with no kids, no cats, no other dogs, while the sweet older dog in the corner cage who would love everyone and tolerate everything gets PTS???  To be honest, if everyone got puppies and socialized and trained them well from birth, would we even have the shelter dog population that we do now?  All of this begs the question if anything will ever really change...humans want what they want when they want it, and have little patience as a race.

Well said, Anne. 

 I didn't read all the posts past the first page, but I recommend to first time dog owners to get a dog that is one year or older.  The dog can hold it longer between potty breaks, is usually out of chewing everything in site, and has more attention span to learn behaviors and manners.  I want my next dog to be a year or younger because I want more time to work on foundation agility stuff before the age to compete.  A young puppy would be ideal but depending on my situation, an 8 to 12 week old puppy may not fit well into my household, so a 6 month old or so might be better.  Just depends on where I'm at then.

But people that have young kids that want a dog, or people that haven't had a dog ever or since they were kids, I recommend a year or older dog for the reasons above.

BEVOLASVEGAS

AgileGSD

But when someone specifically is looking for a puppy or a purebred puppy, people still strongly push for them to get a rescue/rescue adult instead. I see it all the time, not just here on this forum. I guess the reason is that is is not PC to want a purebred puppy and sometimes, it is not PC to want a puppy at all.

I must live in a great area because I have NEVER ran into an issue like this. 

 You have never noticed online or IRL that people tend to push rescue dogs, even when one is looking for a purebred puppy? If someone came here today and said they wanted a Technicolor Flying Hound puppy for their family pet a few people would, without a doubt try to talk them into an adult rescue. There would surely be posts along the lines of "Have you checked TFH rescue? They almost never have puppies but you'd be best to go with an adult anyway. And you'd be saving a life!" and  "Have you visited your local shelter? There are a lot of homeless dogs." 

When I take my dogs out I will run into people who ask me GSD or Collie mixes, which is not uncommon. When I tell them what they are, some people's who attitude shifts and they announce "We only ever get dogs from shelters" or "Well I believe in saving shelter dogs instead of buying". I don't mention anything about having bought or bred them, just that they are a less common purebred dog called a Belgian Sheepdog or Groenendael. I have actually made people mad unknowningly when I told them their supposed shelter mix was a purebred "We never get purebreds! We only adopt mixes no one else wants!" Kinda funny when people get mad that they got a purebred instead of a mutt...

BEVOLASVEGAS

AgileGSD

But when someone specifically is looking for a puppy or a purebred puppy, people still strongly push for them to get a rescue/rescue adult instead. I see it all the time, not just here on this forum. I guess the reason is that is is not PC to want a purebred puppy and sometimes, it is not PC to want a puppy at all.

I must live in a great area because I have NEVER ran into an issue like this. 

I see this mostly on the GSD board, AgileGSD is there too so maybe that's what she has in mind.  People go into the BREEDER section asking about a specific breeder, dog, line, or litter and are bombarded with people posting Petfinder links.  Now I love rescues as much as the next person, 4 of my 6 current pets are from a rescue or shelter, but you don't see me posting links to my breeders on the RESCUE section of the forum.

I also got crap when I got Nikon, one person in my family basically doesn't even acknowledge his existence.  However in that case, I believe it's more an issue of pet dog people vs. breed fanciers, not rescue vs. breeder.  This particular person is the type who thinks it's dumb to show, train, and compete with dogs, to breed in order to preserve the true function of the dog, etc.

 When I was 17, I adopted my first "just mine" dog. I had a job, was finishing highschool, living at home. I was a good kid, and my parents agreed that I could have this young dog, who was facing euthanasia. Grace was 10 weeks old, and lived with me for 3 months, before she died of kidney failure (which she'd had, all along, and it was the reason she couldn't be housetrained, at 10 weeks, she wanted to be clean SO BADLY!). That dog changed me, forever. I've since adopted older dogs, and puppies. I prefer puppies, because of a bad experience with an older dog I adopted (she was ancient, and very, very dog aggressive). Of course, that said, I'm sitting here with an 8 year old Italian Greyhound I've had for 2 weeks. She's supposed to go to rescue, next week (when she finishes being in season, I offered to keep her here, since I don't have boydogs), but who knows? She's an absolutely delightful, little dog, and SO EASY to care for! She'd be an ideal first dog, or companion to someone who has to work full time. She holds it all day, snuggles on the couch, gives kisses, likes a short walk, and is very quiet. I am shocked, to be honest, with a dog that is so easy. I had no idea!!!