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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

do breeders ever sell slightly older puppies?

19 replies

thisisyesterday · 27/02/2012 14:44

strange question i know, but i just wondered if it was ever possible to get a puppy that was maybe 6 months old rather than a really tiny one?

OP posts:

thebestisyettocome · 27/02/2012 14:50

The rescue home Many Tears get lots of older puppies breeders cannot sell. I think they've got some on their website currently.

AllergicToNutters · 27/02/2012 14:56

rescues nearly always have pups 6 months plus

wildfig · 27/02/2012 14:59

Also show breeders will sometimes want to find pet homes for puppies who haven't made the grade in the show ring - not always because of a physical imperfection but because they're shy or didn't enjoy the experience. The breed club is a good place to ask.

FundusCrispyPancake · 27/02/2012 15:24

Got my dog from the breeders at 4 months old. She is a pedigree but does not look 'good enough' for showing (one slightly floppy ear and a bit bandy legged) so no one wanted her. The breeders would have sent her to the official breed rescue eventually.

I wanted a particular breed but I have previously worked at a rescue centre and felt strongly that I should give a home to a homeless dog. I think it was a good compromise and I would certainly 'rescue' an unwanted pedigree again.

The only trouble I found was that because she was unwanted no one had bothered to socialise her much. She was quite nervious of other people/dogs/traffic etc and we had to spend a bit of time and money with a trainer. With an older puppy this could be an issue whether pedigree or not, but IME a good training school is worth every penny.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 27/02/2012 15:47

sorry had to go out for school run, thanks for the replies

have been scouring many tears for a while now actually and there certainly are a few on there that I very much like the look of but we're in the south east, and while they have puppies/dogs in foster homes across the UK the vast majority are in Wales and that could be difficult!

i am kind of leaning toward a particular breed though, and the idea of one that isn't "perfect" enough is both sad but also a nice thought that I could maybe give a home to one.

it won't be for a little while until we're ready to have a dog and i will definitely be keeping an eye out on local rescues too in case the perfect pup/dog comes up, but i wondered if this was a viable alternative too...

fundus can i ask did you have to pay as much as you would have for any other puppy or was it cheaper?

OP posts:

yesbutnobut · 27/02/2012 16:16

Breeders who have show kennels often keep puppies back to 'run on' to see if they will make it as show dogs. Once the breeder has decided they don't make the grade, they sell them. This is probably around 3 - 4 months rather than 6. The only thing I would say is that this type of breeder may not be socialising the puppies particularly well - not mistreating them but where someone has their eye on prizes, they tend to see dogs a bit differently, as more of a commodity. You can look on the Champdogs website as you quite often see these older pups advertised there. You really want a pup that has been brought up in a family home.

iseenodust · 27/02/2012 16:24

We got our lab at 6 months from a breeder who was also a vet. She was used to showing one breed and thought she'd try labs but then changed her mind.

Waswildatheart · 27/02/2012 18:39

Years ago now but we bought an 8 month old Red Setter from a breeder. Supposed to be toilet trained but wasn't, clearly had never been walked out and about, pulled or sat down and would not budge. Threw up every car journey and ran off whenever your back was turned, then was too stupid to find his way home (cost a fortune in tips!). That said, it was all solvable with a bit of effort and time and he brought much joy and love for many years. Miss him still!

AllergicToNutters · 29/02/2012 22:01

i'm quite new to all this but i know that the breeders I have been going through do get puppies returned to them at about 3 - 4 months . You could always register your interest in older pups to them yourself. It may be a way to get an older pup

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 29/02/2012 22:24

aww that's sad nutters... from people who thought they were cute but then discovered how much work they are presumably?

OP posts:

KatharineClifton · 29/02/2012 22:24

How did you solve the car sickness Waswildatheart?

Hollyfoot · 29/02/2012 22:27

There are lots of breed specific rescues if you have a certain breed in mind thisis. The Lab rescue we have had previously gets every age in, from newborn pups to very elderly dogs.

AnEcumenicalMatter · 29/02/2012 22:35

Some breeders will routinely 'run on' 2-3 pups from a litter if they intend to show or work their digs as it gives them more time to assess their potential.

I would disagree that 'run on' pups are like to be poorly socialised. If you intend to show/work a pup then socialisation is critical to their potential success.

Breed rescue is also a good place to start as 6 months - 1 year is usually when the novelty of having a pup wears off and the teenage phase starts to kick in and pups are more likely to be dumped.

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 29/02/2012 22:36

yeah i thought of that last night actually and am keeping an eye out on a couple of rescues specific to the breed :)

OP posts:

AllergicToNutters · 01/03/2012 08:57

AnEcumenicalMAtter- That is waht my breeder is doing. The dog i am in line for is one she may keep as show dog so I have to wait an extra week (or two) until she has reached her decision. he will still only be 10 weeks but some are older still.
What breed are you looking for thisisyesterday- Many tears have loads of older pups and pupsneedinghomes seem to specialise in pups 5 months and up. there are always a few on there. Definitely worth a look

legallyblond · 01/03/2012 09:40

thisisyesterday - what breed are you interested in? Some posters here have a lot of info/contacts about specific breeds, so it might be worth mentioning.... one of the more knowledgable posters could point you in the right direction or might even know of a dog in need of homing......

(e.g. we are interested in a greyhound and have had lots of very helpful info)

Original poster

thisisyesterday · 01/03/2012 09:43

a cocker or sussex spaniel

OP posts:

arghmyear · 01/03/2012 09:43

Sometimes breeders will hang onto dogs around christmas time as they don't want them going as presents so in Jan/Feb there is a chance of slightly older puppies. Also, our dog was held onto until she was 4 months because she was the runt of the litter and the breeder had wanted to help her along and make sure she was OK before letting her go.

AnEcumenicalMatter · 01/03/2012 10:34

Sussex spaniels are bred in fairly small numbers so the chances of an older pup are fairly slim I would think. A small number of litters born annually means that must pups will be spoken for well in advance of being born and not many going through rescue or 'surplus to requirements'.

Your chances of an older Cocker puppy from a breeder or through rescue are pretty good with the breed being much more popular. There are quite a few spaniel rescues who will mostly have springers and cockers looking for homes. Although many of the cockers that turn up in rescue will be working type which are quite a different kettle of fish to the 'show' type.

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