Trying to find a new dog for your family can be a very big challenge. Especially when you take into consideration how much dog's cost? Whether it is a puppy that you want or a dog that is a little older you can choose from a dog shelter or a pet store. Some shelter's dog has puppies, but they don't have them for very long because they usually end up getting adopted pretty quickly.
However which choice is better a shelter or a pet store?
Well let's compare a few things, for of the entire price. Everyone knows that a dog from a shelter is definitely going to be a lot cheaper than a dog from a pet store. Most shelters charge a very small fee, and most give the dog their shots before you pick them up. So price is definitely one good thing about purchasing a dog from a shelter. However you should take into consideration that most dogs that are in shelters are found because they have been abandoned, or in some cases they were mistreated. Since some of the shelter dogs have pasts that are not so good you may have to think about some of the health and mental problems that some of them may have. Of course this does not mean that all dogs in a shelter are bad or have issues. Some may have brought their simply because their owners could not afford to keep them anymore. Usually when you apply to adopt a dog from a shelter, the staff will do their best to match you with a dog that will fit with your family's personality, and circumstances.
Dogs from a pet store usually come from a breeder. In some cases they may even have papers that come along with them. Since these dogs usually do come from breeders you will definitely end up paying a lot more. Unlike shelters there is definitely a lot more variety of breeds to choose from and you are positive as to what breed the dogs are. A large majority of the dogs in shelters are mixed breeds and usually not a pure bred dog. Also with pet stores it is usually a lot easier to get a puppy instead of an older dog. Before you make the decision as to whether or not you want to purchase from a shelter or from a pet store, take the time to look at both. Then you can decide which would be better suited for your family. A lot of people that I spoke with on this topic said that they would like to purchase a dog from a shelter, because they feel sorry for them. I must say that I was a little surprised since I assumed that most would want a dog from the pet store. The bottom line is that both the shelter, and the pet stores are good options is just depends on which you prefer.
