By Stasia Scarborough

Big or small? Puppy or full-grown? Mutt or purebred? Who knew adopting a dog was so full of decisions.

But making that new dog part of the family takes some thinking ahead, say those who see pet adoptions-good and bad-made every day.

"It’s a lot harder than just…getting the cutest puppy," says Shannon Hawkins, an animal-care technician.

Those who don’t believe it stand a good chance of being part of a nationwide statistic: Nearly 30 percent of all shelter animals are returned after their adoption, says Bob Timone, an executive director of a shelter in California.

And often it’s for reasons that could easily be avoided with some planning.

"I had one yesterday, a prime example. This lady brings us back a dog-it’s 9 months old-it’s still a puppy. (She complained that) This dog is tearing everything up. He’s digging everything," says Timone.

She should have expected that, says Timone, adding that’s what puppies do before they’re trained.

The moral of the story: Think about what kind of dog you want before heading to the shelter. Big dogs need lots of room. Little dogs might not take to small children very well. Puppies are cute, but have sharp little teeth and a wild, untrained spirit.

One of the first dogs to greet visitors at Haven on a recent visit was a bouncing, wiggling brown ball of fluff, a 9-week-old shepherd mix.

He’ll be a great dog, but "he’s got a lot of chewing and digging in him" before those puppy days are history, says Hawkins. And when he’s grown you could expect him to weigh in at about 60 pounds.

He’s a great match for a family with older children, but not younger kids, since he’s likely to use his pointy teeth on little hands and could knock down children in his exuberance, says Hawkins. He would be better with children over the age of 4 "who can defend themselves from the dog jumping up until it’s taught not to do that."

Maybe a puppy isn’t your cup of tea. There are adult dogs, too.

There is, for example, Lonesome, whose owner surrendered him before moving out of state. At 2 years old, Lonesome is a known quantity. No digging of excessive barking from this Border collie cross. She’s reported to be good with children. And, says Hawkins, "she has a real good chance" at finding a new home.

In the next kennel is a shepherd mix puppy. He’s very affectionate, but demands attention by barking.

Barking isn’t always a bad sign, but it’s potentially a warning. In this case, it’s a big warning, Hawkins says. "I would say that one needs a lot of attention."

Some of the dogs at shelters are purebred, but most are mutts. To get a sense of what disposition a canine will have, consider the characteristics of the breeds of the dog’s mix. Labs are family-friendly, so lab mixes are potentially good for a family. Terrier-mixes are likely to be small and on the feisty side.

"Mixed breeds can make just dynamite pets," says Ginny Chesnut, Haven’s director of education and volunteer services.

Some dogs are almost sure to be adopted. An adult dachshund in one kennel already had an owner waiting. There’s no doubt that this would be a good dog for an older couple interested in a lap dog-but maybe not for a family with small children, who could frighten such a small dog into nipping.

Both Hawkins and Timone say that even though you may have a clear picture of what kind of dog you want, it’s important to keep an open mind.

Case in point: a sheltie-mix that stayed at the back of her kennel when visitors came by.

"A lot of people would walk right past-she’s so skittish," says Hawkins. Yet outside the cage "she’s wonderful," Hawkins says as the dog slowly approached her.

As Hawkins petted her, the dog relaxed and Hawkins’ praise grew. "She’s just one that takes a bit longer to loosen up. Look, she’s panting-that means she’s relaxed," Hawkins says.

Mix and match

What’s the right dog for your family? Some suggestions:

Large dogs are best for families with older children; expect puppies to chew and dig more than usual.

Mixed breeds are good for families that want a pet relatively free from purebred problems. But you might want to check on the dominant breed of your choice to see if regular behavior patterns match what you want for your family.

Adult dogs are great for families that don’t have the time for training and housebreaking. And, you can get a behavioral history from previous owners.

Terriers are small and good for smaller spaces, but they can be feisty.

Small dogs, such as toy poodles and dachshunds, may not be right for couples with small children, as they might nip at little ones.

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