Do I Want an Adult Dog or a Puppy?

From three to six years of age, a dog has really come into himself. He knows what feels good, what tastes good and where to get what he wants. Adult dogs know how to settle into the good life with little fuss.

Pros:

Adult Dog Training
Adult dogs in shelters and rescues are usually mostly housetrained, if not completely, and have had basic training (sit, stay, come, etc.).

Temperament Evaluation
Most dogs have been evaluated by the volunteers for compatibility towards other animals and kids.

The Gratitude Factor
Most adopted adult dogs know they have found a good life and are reluctant to leave it.

Not Overly Excitable
A full-grown adult dog can still be puppy-like in his desire to play and run with you. Dogs of all ages love to play and a full-grown dog has fewer physical limitations on what kind of physical activity he can do.

Cons:

Bad Habits
It's harder to untrain a dog of certain unwanted habits, like counter-surfing, garbage-eating, etc. Luckily though, it can be done, it just takes persistence and consistency.

Fear of the Unknown
Adult dogs have an unknown quality to them. Something completely innocuous could turn them into fear-biters or undo weeks of socialization.

The Bonding Time Has Passed
The fear that an adult dog won't bond properly with his new owners is a big one. Some breeds are notorious for being "one-man" dogs, and this puts off a lot of potential adopters.