Families with children are often tempted to pick a puppy, influenced by the idea that ‘they’ll be buddies and grow up together’. If your kid is Denise the Menace, this is not necessarily a good thing. Besides, with the demands of raising kids and keeping up with their activities, you may not really have the time to devote to a new puppy. Time to house-break, time to socialize with other dogs, and people - and time to train them. Barking and jumping on the dining table may seem cute when Sparky is six weeks old, but becomes embarrassing when it’s two years later, and the boss is over for dinner. Vet bills can often be higher, too, with a puppy. Plus there’s the teething budget. You can expect chewed furniture, clothes, and at least one shoe. Especially if your puppy is a lab! An adult dog with a sweet, stable temperament is often a great match for a family or individual with a busier lifestyle. You can see how the dog reacts to the squeals and tugs of children, and since the dog is full-grown, you won’t have to worry if little Hank will turn into Hank the Tank….