Timing of getting a dog

[Nameofthreerandomwords]

We have been thinking about getting a dog for a while. We have had dogs previously, but not for a few years. This time we would be getting a puppy, and we have been recommended a group for sourcing reputable breeders. I know that some breeders have waiting lists and I expected to have to wait a year or more anyway - but it seems like this group do mention when vetted litters are available, but we don't want to enquire until I know we are ready (to avoid being a time waster).

However, another family member has just booked a holiday we'll be joining in August next year, which is very exciting, but we'd not be able to take the dog. I am now wondering whether we should wait until after August next year (although in other ways, the timing now is ideal for settling a puppy in due to my current flexible working from home with shorter hours). Or, perhaps it would be ok if we got a puppy before Christmas but should otherwise wait.

The main concerns are for the dog's welfare - I would hate to leave a puppy with someone else overnight too early, or for the puppy to be confused and worried or stressed, or training to be affected. We've used dog boarders in the past that were great, but am also wondering about pet sitters.

Any advice welcomed! Maybe I'm overthinking, as although we don't go away that often there's always something or other to consider

I would wait until you've done your holiday, although if you speak to the breeder you may have to wait that long anyway.

Have you considered adopting instead of going to a breeder?

Wait until after the holiday. Getting a puppy is like having a baby/ toddler in the first 6 months.

Some breeders don’t sell all their litter, I’d try now and then work out when to stop trying x

Please don't use the facebook groups that 'vet' breeders for you. Do it yourself. Getting a puppy from the right breeder (n.b. just because some people think a breeder is great, doesn't mean they are and certainly doesn't make them the right breeder for you) is the most important thing you can do. These groups often have 'favourites' that they recommend and how can you be sure that what they are looking for in a quality breeder is actually what you're looking for?

Full disclaimer:

The Golden Retriever facebook one, for example, called me 'evil' for not selling puppies to people with young children. This is included a litter about 6 years ago where Dam was a Multi.Ch. Sire was a Multi.Ch.SCWG, they both had hip scores under 5, fully health tested and everything else either clear or hereditary clear. Both Dam and Sire even had heart tests (not recommended, but pretty essential for the breed). Dam only ever had one litter. She still lives with me (she's nearly 11 now).

In comparison, I've seen them recommending a breeder recently who is breeding a bitch at 7 years old who has already had 4 litters. Absolute abomination. The breeder also has 2 litters available at the same time. No good breeder does that. But the facebook group seem to love this woman, and her over-bred, non-health tested dogs.

Most of the good breeders I know have a very low opinion of potential owners who come to them from these groups - we want to know people have done the research themselves, not farmed it out to someone else. If you can't even be 'bothered' (because that's how we view it) to do the research about our dogs and our breeding ethics yourself...how can we trust you'll actually care for the dog to the standard we expect? Not all think that, but the ones I would recommend for my breed definitely do.

Separately, here's nothing to say you couldn't get a puppy in the next few months. Yes, good breeders do typically have wait-lists but sometimes people slip off them for whatever reason and a space opens, so it's always worth contacting them. As long as you got the dog before November, I'd think it was fine - but you would be leaving it in the middle of adolescence and that's worth thinking about.

How long would you be away for?

We have an acquaintance who breeds very infrequently (maybe every three to four years), always has a pre-mating waiting list and yet still occasionally has puppies available -- because people often want a particular sex, and sometimes the litter is overwhelmingly the opposite sex. If you're flexible on that, it's worth asking.

August next year? Many good breeders will look after the puppy when you go away. If the timing is ok for everything else then I would think a short holiday in a years time with planning is not a problem.

Thank you. Lots to consider. The holiday is August next year, (2027) for 7 days

@TheHungryHungryLandsharks thank you, that has given me pause for thought. We'd joined the group on the recommendation of others. I had started researching separately and have a call with a breeder soon. It does seem wise to consider either before November or wait until after August next year. We aren't especially in a rush, it's just a particularly good time. That said, our situation shouldn't change dramatically in future (otherwise we'd not be getting a puppy in the first place).

@Nameofthreerandomwords happy to help! 😊

All breeders are different. My Goldens are show-line, but incredibly high energy and drive and quite large. Not very intelligent though (bless them). But other Golden breeders I know, and have a very high opinion of, have incredibly low-energy Goldens (by comparison) but their dogs require far more mental enrichment and are much smaller. But we all breed 'show-line.'

What I'm trying to say is that just because someone thinks my Golden's are the perfect fit for them it doesn't mean they'll be the right fit for everyone. Sometimes these facebook groups come from a place of trying to do good, but just because they think a breeder is good doesn't mean it's right for you particular circumstances or indeed that the breeder is ethical or is doing 'right' by the breed.

FWIW, 7 days with a dog sitter at 10+ months old seems perfectly reasonable to me. 😀Best of luck with the call!

I can't see an issue with getting a puppy in the next few months - by August they should be well-settled in and you'll have had months to get them used to going to a boarder or to kennels.

Go for it! And enjoy, puppies are amazing 😍

I'd be going for now, by August they'd be well settled in with you and as long as you find a lovely boarder they'll be fine. We have a boarder who our dogs absolutely love, we also occasionally use a pet sitter who stays at our house if we're away for just one night, and both works fine.