Top Ten Reasons to Add an Older Dog  to Your Family

Healthy

1. Older dogs have had all their shots and have well-developed immune systems.  They are much less susceptible to serious diseases such as parvo that can devastate a puppy.

Won't chew inappropriate items

2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

Focus to learn

3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.  Even if they are not housetrained, they can learn good housemanners in a shorter period of time than a young puppy. 

Know what "no" means

4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

Settle in with the "pack"

5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

Good at giving love

6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the chance they've been given to join a family.

WYSIWYG

7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

Instant companions

8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.

Time for yourself

9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

A good night's sleep

10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.