Whether pure-bred or mixed, there are dogs being thrown away every day who deserve a good home and would make wonderful pets. Although there's nothing cuter than a young puppy, remember that rescues come in all ages and all sizes. Sometimes an adult dog can make a faster and smoother adjustment to living in a new family, and if you choose wisely they're already house-broken and responsive to direction. Here are some guidelines that will help an adoption succeed:

1. Know your breeds
2. Know the sum of the parts
3. Don't judge a dog on physical appearance
4. Know your limitations
5. Stop the cycle!

Know your breeds

Adopting a rescue is one way to get a pure-bred dog for a reasonable adoption fee. However, a reputable breeder screens owners, rightly refusing to place a puppy in an unsuitable home. If you want a bargain, then YOU have to do the work of learning which breeds will suit your household. Pure-breds not only look different, they also have very different personality traits.