Not sure how to find the right dog for you? These green flags will help you find a breeder or rescue organization you can trust to help you find the right match.

If you’re wondering how to find the right dog for you, then you’re already on the right track. Choosing a dog or puppy that will fit into your lifestyle is important for the happiness and well-being of everyone (dog AND human) involved.

Once you’ve decided on a breed or type of dog that will best suit your family’s needs, however, what do you look for? How can you set yourself up for success?

The best way to find the right fit is to work with a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Here are some green flags to look for during your search for a new family member!

Responsible Rescues: Finding the Right Dog to Adopt

Ethical rescue groups and shelters put the interests of both dogs and humans at the center of everything they do. They are committed to transparency and to finding the right fit for each dog. A responsible rescue will also help educate the public and provide resources to the community whenever possible. Here are some green flags that will help you evaluate rescue organizations.

Upfront about Any Behavioral or Medical Issues

Many dogs that come through shelters have some existing health or behavioral challenges that potential adopters should be aware of before they commit to the adoption. Responsible rescue groups will always be transparent and upfront about any problems they notice, such as resource guarding, reactivity, fearfulness, or medical issues.

However, it’s also important to note that not all concerns might pop up during a dog’s stay in the shelter. Behavior in a shelter or rescue environment is typically very different from behavior in a home. Despite a rescue’s best efforts, it’s not always possible to predict all health or temperament issues that might come up.

Will Take a Dog Back Without Shaming the Adopter

Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, adoptions don’t always work out. Whether it’s due to a lifestyle mismatch, conflict between animals in the house, behavioral issues, an adopter’s health declining, or any other reason that makes them unable to keep the dog, an ethical rescue organization will take the dog back without hesitation.

Rehoming is a valid choice, and it’s sometimes necessary for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. Rescue organizations should take dogs back for rehoming without shaming the adopter and use the information they provide to make a plan for the dog’s future. Deciding to take a dog back to the shelter is difficult enough, and shelters should not add to the emotional burden by shaming adopters who make that difficult decision.

Lists Breed Types Instead of Specific Breeds

Many shelter dogs have an unknown background at the time of surrender, including the breeds that might be contributing to their genetic makeup. Good rescues understand this and will not try to label a dog as a specific breed unless they can verify its background.

It’s helpful for adopters to know the general “type” a dog might be (such as a bully breed, a herder, a terrier, etc.), to help them decide if an individual dog will be a good fit. However, making a guess about what specific breeds might make up a dog’s pedigree can lead to incorrect assumptions about their personality and needs.

Will Allow You to Meet the Dog Before Committing

In the last several years, more and more rescue organizations have been transporting dogs from other states to meet local demand. While this does help with the surplus of dogs in certain areas (and a lack of them in others), it comes with its own set of challenges.

Some rescues bring dogs on a truck directly to meet their adopter and go home, typically because they do not have space or resources to house the dogs at their destination. Ideally, however, a rescue will allow you to meet the dog before deciding to take them home. If a rescue transports dogs and adopts them out only after evaluating them and letting potential adopters meet them, it’s a green flag!

Doesn’t Make Claims about a Puppy’s Expected Temperament

Puppies tend to love everyone and everything–that’s part of what makes them so charming. However, their personalities will change as they go through adolescence. A puppy that loves other dogs could become reactive as an adult, for example.

A knowledgeable rescue organization won’t make assumptions about a puppy’s expected temperament because they know it will change somewhat until they reach adulthood. They might use general terms, but they shouldn’t say that a puppy is “good with kids,” for instance, as it’s impossible to know how puppies will behave as they mature.

Advocates for Age-Appropriate Spay/Neuter

Responsible rescue organizations understand the pitfalls of spaying and neutering very young puppies. Instead of spaying and neutering every puppy before they go home, they will have the adopter sign a contract saying that they will spay or neuter but must wait until 1-2 years of age for the health of the dog.

Some states require by law that all dogs must be spayed or neutered before being adopted out by a shelter or rescue group. In those states, organizations don’t have the option to allow puppies to mature before they are “fixed,” unfortunately.

Willing to Make Hard Choices to Benefit People and Dogs

Sometimes, the right choice isn’t the easiest choice. A responsible rescue will sometimes decide that euthanasia is the only choice for a dog with severe medical problems or one who poses a danger to the community. Ethical rescues do not make this heartbreaking decision lightly and will evaluate the dog’s overall quality of life, in addition to other factors.

Provides Support After Adoption

An ethical rescue should provide support for adopters after the papers are signed and the dog has left the building. They should be willing to answer questions and point adopters toward resources they might need to build a strong relationship and happy life with their new dog!

Reputable Breeders: Green Flags for Finding Your Next Puppy

If you’re thinking about purchasing a puppy from a breeder, then you probably already know what breed (or breeds) you’re looking for. However, there’s a lot that goes into being a “reputable” breeder, and it can be hard to know which breeder to choose. Here are some green flags to look for when researching breeders.

Transparent about Health Testing and Any Medical Issues

An ethical breeder will perform all necessary testing for the breed to check for genetic health conditions. This does not mean an Embark DNA test alone (although these can provide some helpful information), but also certified results from organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, PennHip, and genetic testing labs all over the country.

Any reputable breeder should be happy to show you proof of their dogs’ health testing results upon request. They will also be upfront about any possible allergies or other health concerns in their dogs’ lines.

Answers Questions Without Getting Defensive

A reputable breeder should be happy to answer your questions and help you with anything you don’t understand throughout the process. They should also be willing to discuss sensitive topics like any issues in their dogs’ lines without getting defensive or making excuses.

Charges the Same Price for All Puppies

Raising a litter of puppies is hard work and an investment of both time and money. The price shouldn’t change based on the puppy’s color or whether it’s male or female. Most breeders who have their puppies’ best interests at heart will charge the same price for every puppy.

Exposes Puppies to a Wide Range of Experiences

Although a puppy’s temperament is largely determined by genetics, early experiences are also important in shaping a dog’s behavior. A reputable breeder will ensure that puppies are safely exposed to a wide range of people, experiences, smells, and surfaces. This will help them grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.

Starts Working With Puppies On Foundational Skills

Good breeders want to set their puppies up to be successful. They will typically start the potty training process from a very early age by providing a litterbox or grass pad and encouraging good habits.

They might also start working on other foundations, like crate training and recall before the puppies go to their new homes. This helps to make the transition smoother and more successful.

Keeps Puppies Longer Than 8 Weeks

You’ve probably heard that the best time to take a puppy home is at 8 weeks of age. In truth, that’s the bare minimum. Many puppies go through a fear period around that time, and more breeders are electing to keep their puppies 1-4 weeks longer (sending them home between 9 and 12 weeks old) to help them develop social skills and other tools they’ll need to grow up into happy, confident dogs.

Puppies have a LOT of needs, and they can easily start to drive their breeders crazy by the age of 8 weeks. But if a breeder is willing to deal with the chaos a little longer, it can have huge benefits for the puppies.

Helps Buyers Understand What Makes a Good Match

Although many people dream of the day they’ll pick out their puppy from a litter of adorable fuzzy faces, the truth is that the breeder knows the puppies’ personalities better than anyone. They are in the best position to help you choose your new best friend. In fact, they might even have a policy of choosing the most appropriate puppy for each new owner instead of having them weigh in.

A breeder will be able to help you understand what kind of puppy will best suit your lifestyle. They will help you find the right match or refer you to another breeder if they don’t think they’ll be able to provide you with what you’re looking for.

Provides Support For the Dog’s Lifetime

Good breeders will be there for you through the ups and downs of your dog’s life, ready to celebrate wins and help with any challenges. When choosing a breeder, ask about the support they provide and how they’d like to get updates about your puppy. Some breeders have online groups where puppy buyers can ask questions, get advice, and share their highlights.

It’s important to choose a breeder you can trust. You need to be able to come to them with a problem and know that they will be supportive instead of judging you. Although you shouldn’t be contacting your puppy’s breeder every 5 minutes, most ethical breeders are delighted to get frequent updates and are happy to help with issues that come up.

Will Take the Dog Back if Needed Or Assist in Rehoming

Ethical breeders want the very best for their puppies. Most have contracts that require new owners to give the dog back to them if they cannot keep it for any reason. This helps to ensure that the puppy will never end up in a shelter.

In some situations when a puppy or dog is returned, the breeder might keep the dog for the rest of its life. Or, they might find a new home for the dog or at least assist with rehoming.

Do Your Research and Support Ethical Rescues and Breeders

If you’re trying to pick a dog for your family, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged. Don’t give up!

If you pick the right dog, your life will be enriched. However, it can take a while to find the right match. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for both green flags AND red flags as you search for your new best friend.

Doing your research is an important part of the process, and it’s one you shouldn’t skimp on. Check out different rescue groups and breeders online and reach out to them if you have any questions about their policies.

Supporting an ethical rescue or breeder means you’re more likely to find the right dog for you and your family. You’re going to be living with your new family member for years, so make sure you work with a reputable individual or organization to find the right fit.

To make sure you’ve got your bases covered after you bring your new pet home, check out our SuperPuppy and Canine Co-Pilot courses!

How to Find the Right Dog For You: Look for These Green Flags