Many people fear that dogs available for adoption through shelters and rescue groups are more likely to have behavior problems than dogs bought from breeders. However, both adopted dogs and dogs purchased from breeders run the gamut from easy-to-live-with to difficult. It's all about the individual dog. You can increase your chances of finding and raising a dog who is a pleasure to live with by educating yourself in advance and by seeking advice and help from the adoption staff.

You can adopt a dog or puppy from several sources: a municipal shelter or humane society; a private shelter; or a rescue group. Rescue groups may focus on all kinds of dogs or may specialize in one particular breed (and, sometimes, mixes of that breed). Petfinder is a good place to search for shelters and rescue organizations near you – just plug in your zip code and a maximum distance. To find rescue groups for the breed or breeds you’re interested in, type the name of the breed plus the word “rescue” and your city or state into any search engine.

Shelters and rescue groups aren’t all created equal. On the next pages are some things to consider as you look.