To get a slightly older puppy?

[Mickarooni]

A friend’s mum breeds and shows dogs. She had a litter and one buyer decided they didn’t want the puppy and he’s been returned. :( I know he’s from a good line and has been health tested etc. Puppy is over 5 months and this breed usually goes home at 12 weeks. Friend knows I am considering a dog having lost my old boy some time ago.
I’ve not even made proper enquiries but I’m curious if I’ll have missed any key socialising time by having a slightly older dog.

@WorraLiberty

Probably not at 5 months

But personally I wouldn't encourage dog breeders anyway

What's wrong with looking to adopt?

If you have cats, younger children or work out of home it's virtually impossible to find a UK rescue that'll let you adopt a dog. Plus the increased risks of taking on a dog with an unknown history. I don't agree with most breeders but I'm really starting to realise why people buy rather than adopt! I've spent 4 years on and off looking for a rescue we can re-home a dog from!

Depending on why it had been returned and what dog, I'd take it.

Toy breeds are often very difficult to house train and can suffer with separation anxiety as they're generally bred as companions.

They wouldn't be my first choice.

Like PP I know someone who took on a totally unsocialised rescue and it's been really bloody hard. He'd never been around other dogs, horses, cars, cats - he was a nightmare for ages. Even now, two years later, he struggles and can be very reactive.

I honestly wouldn't do it.

I agree with @Smileforthebirdie. It's not unusual for pedigree dogs to be 'run-on' to see how their how their show potential develops and then sold at a later date. Mine was returned to the breeder by his first owners as he showed early signs of not making the breed standard. Some pedigree homes have quite a ruthless approach but even if they don't treat them as 'fur babies' it doesn't mean they are any less cared for, trained or socialised.

The risk factor is too much for us to contemplate a rescue dog. There are a few people around here who have adopted who I meet when walking ours. With a couple of exceptions they’ve found it really tough. The dogs appear to be either very nervous and timid or reactive, it’s not for me.

if you get him, post a photo
if he was only with the first purchasers for a few days and the rest with the breeder, he should be reasonably well socialised.