Puppy? Or older Dog? - Page 1

I've been thinking about getting another shepherd for a while. I currently own a sable working line male, whom I would eventually like to breed. I haven't been searching much, just glancing through the ads for puppies and older females alike. I'm not so sure I want a puppy, that I would have to thoroughly train from the very beginning. I wouldn't mind, but I was thinking; I want to try an older dog. By older, I mean probably around 1 to 2 years of age. I know the pro's and con's of both, I just can't seem to make a decision. Should I just keep looking until something pops up at me?

Advice and personal experiences would be great help. Thanks!

-- Emily.

if i would be in your place i would buy a puppy

I think i'd keep looking at both, when the right one comes along you'll know it.

First ask yourself about the time comittment for a puppy.Puppies as nice as they are, are a crap shoot. It does not matter how well bred they are. Now, let me play devils advocate. You wan to breed your male, so what happens if after lots of work and money the pup does not work out...?

Where as as young adult will offer the opportunity to see what you already have, temperment, drive, hips etc.

I vote for a young adult. I have gone both routes for a sar dog and beleive me after washing out 2 promising candidates I will stick with a young adult . Of course, it must come from the right kennel.

I have also done both... raising my own puppy and buying an adult.  IMO it is just personal preference.  Buying a puppy you have A LOT of work to do with raising/socializing and doing foundation work with the pup.  You also have a very real possibility that SOMETHING will not work out.  You have so many things that need to fall into place and so many things that can go wrong.  The pup could turn out to have no drive, lack courage, poor nerves, shy/timid, bad hips, bad elbows, a host of other health problems, etc... So in that aspect I can definately see why some prefer to buy an adult, you know what your getting.  However, with buying an adult many times you are also buying someone else's problems. 

I personally prefer to raise my own puppies.  Even with all of the risks, to me it is worth that.  I like the bond I have with my pups better and like being able to raise/mold them the way I want them.... I loved the adult dog I bought and bonded to her as well... but it just wasnt the same for me. 

If you are interested in breeding it is also possible to buy an adult dog who cannot be bred.  That happens too.  Someone buys an adult female who looks "too good to be true" and come to find out she cannot be bred, has whelping problems, etc....

That's a very good question.  I've always only had puppies and have often kicked around the idea of getting a young adult that was already started (to make it easier on me).  I've always wondered if an adult dog could bond to me and my children as easily as a puppy that knew nothing or no one but us.  I guess I've always felt it a safer bet to go with the puppy as I could "learn" their temperament as we went along and I could help to shape it accordingly. 

I have children and am more comfortable having the puppies because I know they are not only bonded from a young age but also how much actual child/dog interaction is done. Sometimes people will say a dog is raised with children when they are kennelled and interact with them a little each day. Our pups are in the house with the kids all the time and our handicapped son is rougher than a lot of kids and more irratic in actions. Not mean just random in a lot of ways. I figure if a dog can deal with that he is REALLY good with kids!

Now, in counterbalance, my daughter has no kids and her dogs are also good with kids.  All from the same breeder, btw.

It seems there are alot of pro's and con's yet to be evaluated. I love the bond I have with my shepherd, since I had him since he was just a baby. I'm hoping I could form that bond with an older dog, too. But i'm not so sure. I love my shepherd because he loves me, too. I don't want a dog that doesn't have some connections with me. I think I would have time for a puppy, but it might be easier to get an older dog who has solid base training.

I think i'll keep looking for both, and see if anything pops up at me. It seems the best decision, since I really don't know which to choose.

If you love your dog, he will love you back. After purchasing 2 young adults for SAR work I have to say they have bonded as well as  a dog I started as a pup. Maybe I am simplifying this but I deal with a great kennel that exports.  They have matched me up with dogs that are in sinc with my personality. Love  pups but for SAR work, will stick with young adults

A young adult from the right breeder who meets YOUR needs, wants, desires, expectations will be a breath of fresh air for you,  You won't have the "Typical" puppy issues,  Exposure issues, Accidents in the house, Chewed up work shoes in the am,  shredded pillow when you come home, and so on.  

I agree keep looking at both,  You'll know when you find the right one,  and then spend alot of time talking with the breeder/owner of the young dog,  get to know what the dog is all about, will it meet your criteria ?  

Good Luck to you and let us know when you find your new family addition....