Many adult dogs have already been house trained. Adult dogs are easier to train as they have longer attention spans than excitable puppies. Choosing an adult dog, you will already be aware of its full size, true personality, and health. As puppies develop, one or more of these traits may end up being a big surprise. An adult dog may be a better choice if you have young children. Older dogs may have already had experience with children and they are much more predictable than puppies. Playing with a new puppy you'll soon discover that they have needle-sharp teeth that can accidentally injure a young child.
You might also want to consider adopting a canine "senior citizen". All too many older dogs in shelters are unable to find a new "forever" home, resulting in a tragic, untimely demise.
When choosing between an adult dog or a new puppy, try to consider every aspect of your pet's, and your own, needs. Adopting a dog should be great fun, but it also requires a major commitment on your part to ensure a healthy, long lasting partnership between you and your new best friend.
