Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog: Guide

The Ultimate Guide: Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog

Mark and Sarah scrolled through the local rescue’s website, their hearts melting with each click. Then they saw her: a beautiful lab mix with one floppy ear, listed as “Sadie.” They were instantly smitten and ready to jump in the car. However, a crucial thought gave them pause. Beyond her cute photo, what did they really know about Sadie? They quickly realized that a successful, lifelong commitment required more than just love at first sight. It required a solid list of questions to ask before adopting a dog.

If you are on the verge of bringing a new dog into your home, this feeling of excitement mixed with uncertainty is completely normal. Adopting a dog is one of the most rewarding journeys you can undertake, and the best way to start that journey is with preparation. This guide provides a complete checklist of questions designed to give you the clearest possible picture of your potential new family member, ensuring you find a perfect match and set the stage for a lifetime of happiness together.

Why You Need a List of Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog

Walking into a shelter or rescue armed with a list of questions isn’t about being difficult; it’s about being a diligent, responsible, and compassionate future pet owner. The ultimate goal of adoption is to find a permanent, loving home for a deserving animal. By gathering as much information as possible upfront, you are actively ensuring that your home is the right fit.

A mismatch in energy levels, social needs, or temperament can lead to immense stress for both you and the dog. In the worst-case scenarios, these mismatches can lead to the heartbreaking decision to return the dog to the shelter. Therefore, preparing a thoughtful list of questions to ask before adopting a dog is the most crucial and loving first step you can take in the entire process.

The Complete Checklist: Essential Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog

Think of the shelter staff and foster parents as your most valuable resource. They have spent days, weeks, or even months with the dog and can provide invaluable insights you’ll never find on a website profile. We have organized the essential questions into three critical categories to help guide your conversation.

Questions About the Dog’s History and Background

Understanding a dog’s past provides vital context for their present behavior and future needs. These questions help you understand their story.

1. What is this dog’s origin story? (Was the dog a stray, an owner surrender, or a transfer from another rescue?)
2. If surrendered, do you know the reason why? This is one of the most important questions to ask before adopting a dog. The answer can reveal pre-existing challenges like separation anxiety, barking complaints, financial hardship, or an inability to live with other pets.
3. How long has the dog been in the shelter or in foster care? A longer stay might mean the dog is more stressed in the kennel environment, but it also means the staff and fosters know them incredibly well.

1. What was their previous living situation like (if known)? Did they live in a house with a fenced yard, a city apartment, or primarily outdoors? This helps you understand what kind of environment they’re accustomed to.
2. How old is the dog, and how was their age estimated? (e.g., vet records, dental examination).

Crucial Health and Medical Questions

A clear understanding of a dog’s health is fundamental to providing them with the best possible care and preparing for any future costs.

6. May I review the dog’s complete medical file? This should include records of all vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick/heartworm prevention they have received.
7. Is the dog spayed or neutered? If not, is the procedure included in the adoption fee, and when will it be performed?
8. Does the dog have any known chronic health conditions, old injuries, or allergies? Be sure to ask about common issues like skin sensitivities, food allergies, or joint problems (like hip dysplasia) that might require long-term management.
9. Is the dog currently taking any medications? If yes, ask for the condition, the name of the medication, the dosage, and the monthly cost.
10. What specific brand and type of food is the dog eating now? Knowing this allows you to either continue their current diet or, more likely, transition them slowly to a new food to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
11. What is the dog’s general body condition? Are they currently at a healthy weight, or are they underweight or overweight?

Behavior and Temperament Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog

This is where you discover the dog’s unique personality. Answering these questions honestly is key to matching a dog to your specific lifestyle.

12. How would you describe the dog’s personality and temperament in three words? (e.g., Goofy, energetic, shy, confident, cuddly).
13. What is the dog’s realistic energy level? Are they a couch potato who is happy with short walks, or are they an athlete who needs multiple long runs a day to be content? You must be honest with yourself about the amount of exercise you can provide.
14. How does the dog behave around other dogs? Cats? Children of various ages? Ask for specific examples. Has the dog been tested in a playgroup with other dogs? Have they actually lived with cats or kids before?

12. How does the dog react to new people (both men and women)? Are they fearful and shy, overly excited and jumpy, or calmly indifferent?
13. Is the dog fully house-trained? If they have accidents, how frequent are they, and what seems to trigger them?
14. Is the dog comfortable with being in a crate? How do they behave when crated and left alone?
15. Does the dog exhibit any known fears, phobias, or anxieties? (e.g., Loud noises like thunderstorms, the vacuum cleaner, being left alone).
16. How does the dog walk on a leash? Are they a strong puller, or do they walk politely by your side?
17. What basic commands, if any, does the dog know? (Sit, stay, come, down).
18. Has the dog ever shown any signs of resource guarding (with food, toys, or people), aggression, or have they ever had a bite history? The shelter has an ethical obligation to disclose any known bite history. This is a non-negotiable safety question.
19. How does the dog typically behave during vet visits or grooming appointments? This can help you prepare for future appointments.

Beyond the Checklist: Your Role in the Adoption Process

Your list of questions to ask before adopting a dog is your foundation, but the process doesn’t end there. You must also be an active observer and plan for the future.

Observing the Dog During the Meet-and-Greet

• Meet Outside the Kennel: A noisy kennel is a highly stressful environment where you won’t see a dog’s true personality. Always ask to interact with the dog in a quieter meeting room or a secure outdoor play area.
• Involve Your Entire Household: Every human living in the home, and any existing dogs, should meet the potential new dog on neutral ground to ensure compatibility.
• Watch Their Body Language: Look for relaxed, happy signals like a soft, wiggly body; a gently wagging tail; and play bows. A tense body, a tucked tail, and showing the whites of the eyes (“whale eye”) can be signs of fear or anxiety.

Final Logistical Questions to Ask Before Adopting a Dog

Before you sign the adoption contract, clarify the post-adoption policies.

23. What is the total adoption fee, and what does it include?
24. What is the shelter’s return policy and process? Knowing you have a support system if things truly don’t work out provides critical peace of mind.
25. What kind of post-adoption support do you provide? Many rescues offer a helpline for questions, recommendations for local trainers and vets, or even free or discounted training classes.

The Perfect Match: How Preparation Leads to Success

Armed with their new checklist of questions to ask before adopting a dog, Mark and Sarah went to the shelter. They still adored Sadie’s photo, but after talking with the staff, they learned she had severe separation anxiety and a very high prey drive, making her a poor fit for their home with two cats.

Then they met Winston, a calm three-year-old beagle mix. The foster parent described him as “a goofy couch potato” who was already house-trained and loved everyone he met. The meet-and-greet confirmed everything. He was a perfect fit. By being prepared, they didn’t just find a dog; they found their dog.

Adopting a dog is a beautiful, life-altering decision. By taking the time to ask these important questions, you are honoring the animal, respecting the process, and laying the groundwork for a successful, loving, and lifelong partnership.