When you go to find a new fur-ever friend, you want to stack the odds of a good match in your favor. There are things that you need to think about for each candidate. This dog will be your best friend and constant companion for 13-15 years (depending on his size and breed background) and you might not consider all the factors in the excitement of adoption.
Find out everything that you can about each dog.
The staff at the rescue may be able to tell you exactly what kind of dogs your candidates are, but many times, all we can offer is an educated guess. If you want to be sure about your prospective dog’s genetic heritage and expected traits, ask if you can have the dog DNA tested. Most vets can provide this service and it is not extremely expensive, considering the technology utilized and the amount of information gained. I suggest Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis because these are the ones that I use in my hospital and I am pleased with the amount of information I get for the price (which is probably between $100-200, depending on your region, etc.) It is an investment in your future. Knowing more about who your dog is and where he came from will help you tailor his care and training to him personally. This particular test kit also makes you aware of the presence or absence of a group of genetic diseases found in dogs of certain breeds. You might find that the one you like the best will be exactly the size and temperament you wanted, but no matter what you find out, knowledge is the power to make informed choices. If you elect not to adopt a particular dog, you can leave his elaborate family tree with the shelter where it can help him find his permanent home, even if it is not with you.
Foster to Adopt.
Most rescues will allow you to take the dog with you into your home and see if the two of you are a perfect fit. You will be able to see her interact with your family, friends and resident pets. If she seems to fit right in, you will know. In most cases, these become “foster failures” because you never want to return the dog, but even if you do, the dog was made better by her time with you. Rescue dogs need couch time. They need to be handled and exposed to people and places under a caring and watchful eye. Time spent with a “foster to adopt” dog is never wasted. Take the dog with you on all the outings that you want your forever friend to participate in. See how she reacts in these situations. Talk with your vet and your dog trainer about what traits they see and admire in her too. This relationship is like a marriage and everyone wants it to last. You would not pick your spouse without dating them first, so don’t pick your new best friend without some time invested in a good match either.
Everyone wants both you and the dog to be happy together. The point of having a dog is building a loving relationship in which both parties have their needs met. Spend a little time and money to test compatibility and you can tip the balance toward the happiest outcome and get your happily fur-ever after.
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