choosing your dog

The shelters are filled with pets that were chosen for the wrong reasons. We will help you consider what you’re looking for in a pet, so you can find a dog appropriate to your lifestyle. Click on Before You Choose Your Dog and Breed Tendencies or attend our workshops for prospective dog owners. You can also contact us with questions. Our Dog Help Line is 301-983-5913 or click here to email us.

We also recommend the following resources:

www.petfinder.com –adoptable pets; shelters/rescues; resource library
www.gooddogz.org – articles on choosing a dog; rescues
www.pets911.com – pre-adoption advice; shelters/rescues
www.srdogs.com – adoptable older dogs; rescues for older dogs, health advice
www.petloverscompanion.com –shelters/rescues in the Washington, DC area
www.metropets.org –shelters/rescues in the Washington, DC area

Paws to Consider: Choosing the Right Dog For You and Your Family by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson

Mutts – America’s Dogs: A Guide to Choosing, Loving and Living With Our Most Popular Canine by Brian Kilcommons and Michael Capuzzo

Adopt the Perfect Dog: A Practical Guide to Choosing and Training an Adult Dog by Gwen Bailey

Choosing and Caring for a Shelter Dog: A Complete Guide to Help You Rescue and Rehome a Dog by Bob Christiansen