The Right Dog for the Right Life: Why "Adopt, Don't Shop" Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

Our next-door neighbor mentioned to us recently that they’ll probably be looking to get a dog in the not-too-distant future. She added that they’d likely head straight to the local shelter.

It’s an admirable thought, especially in these days of the “adopt don’t shop” ethos. But it isn't the only option—or even necessarily the best one for their specific situation.

Let’s take a look at their circumstances:

• Young couple, newly married.
• First-time dog owners.
• Active, highly social lifestyle (including spending weekends on a boat).
• Planning to start a family relatively soon.

The Reality of the Shelter Grid

We don’t know the situation in shelters everywhere, but around here, the vast majority of dogs available are some variety of pit bull mix or older, independent terrier types.

Don’t get us wrong—we love pit bulls. The ones we’ve known and trained are fantastic dogs. But they are also powerful, high-energy animals that require confident, dedicated handling. We rarely recommend that anyone start their dog-owning journey with a powerful breed, simply because the learning curve for a first-time owner is so steep.

As for terriers? We love their spunk, but they were historically bred to work independently, not necessarily to please a human partner. Forging a rock-solid recall on a boat with an independent spirit can be a massive challenge.

The "Rule of Three"

There’s another crucial factor with rescue dogs. If you haven’t heard of the "Rule of Three," it’s a timeline every adopter should take seriously:

• 3 Days: To decompress from the stress of the shelter.
• 3 Weeks: To start learning the house routine.
• 3 Months: To finally realize they are truly home.

That three-month marker is when a dog’s true personality finally emerges. Until then, they are usually on their "best behavior," trying to figure out the lay of the land.

By the time the real dog shows up, people are already deeply attached. Even if it turns out to be a total mismatch for their lifestyle, owners are understandably reluctant to give up. They fear what will happen to the dog if returned, and they are unwilling to admit defeat. As trainers, we’ve had to figuratively shake some sense into well-meaning people, sometimes even taking on the “bad guy” role so heartbroken parents could blame us for advising them to rehome a dog that wasn't safe or right for their kids.

Due Diligence for Big Decisions

The world would be a better place if everyone got to experience the unconditional love of a dog. But it has to be the right dog.

For our neighbors, we think a perfect fit would be something like a Portuguese Water Dog—fun, highly trainable, water-loving, and excellent family dogs.

If they really want to adopt rather than go to a responsible breeder, there is a fantastic middle ground: breed-specific rescue organizations. Virtually every breed has one.

It’s a wonderful option. In fact, a recent training class of ours included a four-year-old Portie adopted from a rescue. He came all the way from Nebraska and had never seen a large body of water in his life. Now? He’s happily playing fetch with his dad on the beaches of Lake Michigan.

It’s all about the perfect match.