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Comment by Beth on July 15, 2013 at 8:18pm

I should add that our Maddie was a four-year-old retired show dog when we got her and she worked out great. Well-socialized and used to being handled. A show prospect will likely have been accustomed to baths and nail trimmings and the like, and be started on leash manners. Most are trained to stand, not sit, for rewards but at eight months that will be easy to train.

Comment by Linda on July 15, 2013 at 7:45pm

I would ask the questions that Beth has brought up.  If the answers are to your satisfaction then....fate has stepped in and brought you the puppy that is meant to be yours.

Comment by Jane Christensen on July 15, 2013 at 7:26pm

I agree with Beth and would also ask if he has been living in her home and any other questions that seem pertinent to you. Does he like to play? what does he like to play? Just things you would want to know.

I just know that I had kept a pup till he was over 4 months and he was able to walk into his new home, socialized, potty trained and ready to play with his lab brother:) But as Beth said not all owners are the same so you do need to ask questions.

Personally if she sounds like she has trained the dog well I wouldn't hesitate to get him:) It will still take some time to adjust but he will be through with many puppy stages...

Comment by Marcie on July 15, 2013 at 7:15pm

I got Becca in this same way. I was on a waiting list with a reputable breeder. During one of my phone interviews with her she asked if I would be interested in an 8 month old (same reason as you were given). I asked the same questions Beth suggested. I set up a visit telling the breeder I wanted to visit one weekend, then make my decision rationally, not spur of the moment. I went to visit, played with Becca, had another interview, then took Becca for a walk. The time away from the house with just me gave me insights. It was a busy street-no problem with traffic, but she wasn't fond of bikes. She also walked well on a leash, great with people and dogs, but didn't know sit.

I went prepared with a list of questions. (They asked me as many questions as I asked them.) It is hard to focus when excited and a corgi is on your lap. After I went home I emailed with a few more questions. Because Becca had never been around cats I asked for a 30 day return if needed. They agreed and I picked Becca up a week after my initial visit. She went to the vet for a full work up three days later.

I have no regrets. I had asked the breeder for an obedience and agility prospect and I got one. Even though Becca did not come to me knowing more than basic manners, she is smart and willing. I signed up for a basic obedience class and started 2 weeks after she came home. We have been in classes and competing since. She has her foibles, but they have all been things I can live with.

Comment by Beth on July 15, 2013 at 6:15pm

I would ask VERY specific questions about his socialization.  The socialization window is long closed.  He's either socialized, or he's not, at this point.

I would ask things like "How is he with new dogs he's never met?  Does he like to play with new dogs?"

"How is he with children?"

"Has he met lots of people outside his home?"

There are pros and cons to getting an older puppy.  Many show breeders go to great pains to socialize their dogs for pet life, and start them on obedience training.  On the other hand, some breeders don't and you may get an eight-month-old who has almost never met a dog outside his household, has little experience with playing games or meeting people, and is used to being crated for much of the day.  Show handlers run the gamut from excellent dog owners to "not so much."  You don't want to offend the breeder, but you DO want specifics on what she's done with the pup.   

Comment by Rachael & Waffle on July 15, 2013 at 5:54pm

If this is your first dog definitely get the 8 month old.  I wanted a puppy puppy too, and I got Waffle when he was nearly a year.  That was the best decision I could have made.  I renamed him easily, he was mostly potty trained, he knew the leash was a thing, and I could immediately start teaching him obedience without worrying that I was overloading his brain after 2 minutes.  

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