So, what age would be perfect?

[Momily]

So, I've talked to 2 sheltie breeders who have young dogs available. One was 9 months, and the other was 13 months. In both cases we ended up deciding it wasn't a good match for us. As I already posted the first owner felt like a young puppy would adjust faster to the city. The other felt that this one year old needs too much exercise, and that even with say a long walk in the morning and at midday (we'd hire a dog walker), playing in the backyard with DS after school, and another walk at bedtime (probably short, because we aren't in a fantastic neighborhood so I worry about walking to much after dark), the dog would be too hyper. She suggested an older dog.

So, we're still looking (which is fine, I'm not in a rush). And found a few more dogs we want to inquire on.

One is another 1 year old, one is 2 1/2 and the third is 7.

I guess I don't know which ones to consider. I'm not sure how much exercise, and what kind of activity level to expect from a 2 1/2 year old vs. a 7 year old. Would such a big adjustment be hard for a 7 year old? Would a 2 1/2 year old still be too hyper and need more than we could give with me working all day? Would a 1 year old bond more completely?

As I keep looking, what ages should I be interested in?

[mom0810]

I think, more than age, it will depend on the individual dog.

[Momily]

I know that of course the specific dog makes a big difference, but when I'm trying to weed through the dogs on petfinder, or that breeders might have available it's helpful for me to know, for example, that by 7 most dogs have slowed down a lot and would not want to run and play with young kids, (I'm not saying that's true, just giving an example) so that I know which dogs to investigate further.

I wouldn't actually bring a dog home without a long conversation with it's current caregiver, and spending time with the dog myself.

[betsyj]

If you talk to people who have adopted older dogs they often find the dog bonds to them very deeply. The dog is desperately looking for a connection with a person and once they find the right person will click on and really come out of their shell.

[mom0810]

Originally Posted by Momily

I know that of course the specific dog makes a big difference, but when I'm trying to weed through the dogs on petfinder, or that breeders might have available it's helpful for me to know, for example, that by 7 most dogs have slowed down a lot and would not want to run and play with young kids, (I'm not saying that's true, just giving an example) so that I know which dogs to investigate further.

I wouldn't actually bring a dog home without a long conversation with it's current caregiver, and spending time with the dog myself.

What I am saying, and sorry I was quick because I am teaching classes all day, is that the things you are asking are really different from dog to dog, situation to situation. It's not like you can say, "by 7 months they are this", and by 10 months they are this. It's just not like that. Each dog, each breed, the way they are raised from breeder to breeder... it's all different.

So I think you should look for the BREEDER that you really like and then see what they have. That would be my process.

[Momily]

Originally Posted by mom0810

What I am saying, and sorry I was quick because I am teaching classes all day, is that the things you are asking are really different from dog to dog, situation to situation. It's not like you can say, "by 7 months they are this", and by 10 months they are this. It's just not like that. Each dog, each breed, the way they are raised from breeder to breeder... it's all different.

So I think you should look for the BREEDER that you really like and then see what they have. That would be my process.

OK, I feel like I'm whining, but but but. HOWEVER, it seems like the breeders I like best all have maybe one older dog available and that's it. So, for example, I really liked the last breeder I spoke too -- but the dog she has is not a match for us. She doesn't expect to place any more adult dogs anytime in the foreseeable future, so that leaves me looking again. The issue is I really feel like I want a dog that's been bred by a serious breeder, but one that's small enough that she keeps her dogs in the house. The breeder's I've talked to in that category might breed a litter every couple of years and keep one pick, and then if that dog doesn't work out for show they might place it, or they might place a retired show dow/breeding dog, but again only once every few years.

Anyway, I talked a breeder today who has a dog who might be a good match, but I wasn't as confident about her. She does all the big things that I've heard I should look for -- shows the dogs, tests for all the things you're supposed to test for in Shelties, raises the dogs in the home with lots of socialization, won't ship puppies, has a contract that states that she wants the puppy back if anything happens. However, her program's so small and new at this that she's only had a few dogs, and only 2 litters, and has never produced a champion. One of the litters the sire and dam were 1/2 siblings -- does that seem odd? Also she seems to sell a lot of adult dogs -- right now, as far as I can tell she has 3 including the one she's selling. Her website shows lots of dogs she either bought or kept for breeding or selling and then changed her mind and sold.

Anyway -- how much of a red flag are these things? I'm supposed to drive up and meet the dog next weekend -- does that sound like a good idea?

[Ola_]

I agree that it depends on the individual. We got Mayhem at 5.5 years and he was WAY more mellow than Chaos is now at over 6 years old. I also don't think the ability to bond is restricted by age.

The breeder you mentioned - if she does the health testing with good results and socializes well, why does it matter if she's never produced a champion? Would that make the dog you get from her more suitable? Personally, I would prefer a breeder that focuses on health and temperament, not conformation scores. I would go and meet her and the dogs, and see what kind of a gut feeling you get from the whole operation. Ask her loads of questions and expect her to do the same. Good luck!

[Momily]

Thanks Ola,

I should add that one of the reasons I'm asking all these questions is that the breeder is 5 hours away. The plan is that we'll drive up next weekend, and if we fall in love we'll pay for her, but not bring her home until after Memorial Day because we have a trip planned then. We'd then drive up there again to pick her up. So, if there's a red flag I'd rather discover it before I drive 10 hours round trip.

I guess it doesn't matter at all if they've produced champions. I've read that it's a very good sign when a breeder shows their dogs, so I jumped to the conclusion they should show their dogs successfully, but maybe that doesn't matter at all. The logic on not minding about the mother makes sense too.

I guess I should just go up and see. I'm kind of excited to meet her.

One more question. I've heard from a number of people that shelties are shy, and she warned me that she might not take to us right away. She gave me lots of good suggestions for helping her do so. Anyway, how shy would be OK, what should I look for when we go visit? Any suggestions on how to figure out if this is the right dog?

[Ola_]

From what I've heard, the shyness can be a breed thing with shelties. But still, I would evaluate the shyness based on your needs and lifestyle. A family with kids that have lots of friends over will have a very different social life than a retired couple living in a remote area, KWIM?

For me, personally, I look for a dog that is drawn to me and my family right away. I know other people don't mind aloofness but for me, one of the characteristics I want in a dog is that they are friendly to (almost) everyone they meet. I guess it depends if by shy she means that she won't fawn over you right away, or that she will hide in another room and not come out for a while.

[mom0810]

Shelties are WAY hard to finish. It could be that this breeder has every good intention and is doing all the right things... but she just isn't a good handler or she just isn't enough of a "face" yet. Judges have to get to know you and recognize you enough in the ring to have the guts to put you up if you are new. Shelties take something like 25 dogs for a major... I haven't ever really paid attention, but it's a LOT. Like Labs and Goldens. So it's really hard to get points compared to other breeds where you only have to beat like, 5, to get a 3 pt major. If she can't afford a handler (to the tune of $300 a weekend), then she really is going to have a hard time. How long has she been in the breed?

I would find out if she belongs to the Sheltie Clubs... and if not, why not? Again, the Sheltie Clubs are WAY hard to get into and are more political than most. So she might not.

I don't think any of the things are a red flag. You are not looking to breed, you don't want to show... you just want a nice pet. If she is doing health testing and is at least TRYING to show... you have found a good one.

Just wanted to add about the shyness... yes, a lot of them are "shy". It's herding dog freakiness. Some of them, Shelties especially, are just really freaky about new things. The Sheltie I had growing up was very "skittish" as we used to say. They come around. Don't take it personally. They are awesome dogs!