The Top 10 Reasons for Adopting a Senior German Shepherd Dog

1. Housetrained: Senior German Shepherds are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents. Your floors will appreciate having an older dog around instead of a younger one.

2. Won't chew inappropriate items: Senior German Shepherds are not teething puppies, and won't chew your window blinds, kids' toys, shoes, furniture, drywall and plants while growing up.

3. Focus to learn: Senior German Shepherds can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly. They have also learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "senior" dogs.

4. Physically mellow: Senior German Shepherds are mellow, and won't greet you with both their front paws planted in your chest. They also are not mouthy and generally walk nicely on a leash.

5. Settle in with the "pack": Senior German Shepherds settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

6. Good at giving love: Senior German Shepherds are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given, and appreciate regular meals, a warm, soft bed and good companionship in ways a younger dog cannot. They make great dogs for therapy visits to hospitals and nursing homes, or you can keep all that therapeutic love to yourself!

7. WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, Senior Germans Shepherds have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seem at first.

8. Instant companions: Senior German Shepherds are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do. They also like simply "hanging out" with their people, and can even entice you into taking the occasional nap.

9. Time for yourself: Senior German Shepherds 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. They have limited exercise needs, and are very satisfied with one walk per day. It might not even have to be a long one!

10. A good night's sleep: Senior German Shepherds 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.

*adapted from The Senior Dogs Project "Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog"