You can do no wrong if you categorize the available dogs in the rescue homes or animal shelters under these criteria. Source Of The Dog There are, in general, three places from where you can adopt a dog from an animal shelter, from a breed-specific rescue group, and from general rescue group. Animal shelters often serve as temporary shelters for dogs that were rescued from the streets. They know better than to bark at everything or jump at people, and they have, more or less, curbed their aggressive tendencies. To top these off, they also have the skills to adapt to your routine and lifestyle. Adopted senior dogs seem to understand that they have been given another chance at a good life. To many people, even with dog lovers, dogs take too much time and too much work to have around especially so because a dog as a gift is an unplanned responsibility. - Often, the worst time to give a dog is to a person that has just suffered the loss of a loved one, in order to cheer the person up. This is a well-meant gesture but always the person who has suffered a loss will need human companionship. That's irresponsible, not to mention very selfish. Dog adoption is not something you can decide overnight. It needs thorough thinking. If you are considering to adopt a dog, it is highly advisable to first think it through. Don t decide yet. Analyze first all the things that need to be considered before going to an animal shelter. It should also have no patches of skin or thin fur. Belly - Puppies are often potbellied when their tummies are full. A puppy that has a swollen belly is a good indication that it is harboring worms. Chronic sickness - Be warned with puppies that have chronic sickness. No amount of medical attention can help if the puppy is chronically sick. Puppies that are four months or more make it overnight. When the puppy wakes up, the first urge is to urinate, bring him to the spot. After a nap, do the same. Establishing routines and getting the puppy accustomed to the spot will make him go there eventually without being led. Even behind all these, accidents could happen.