Breeders, is age of buyer a serious concern?

[Aleron]

LOL if you want well bred dogs as a teen, get into doing dog stuff and breeders will be offering you dogs left and right

For me, age isn't a concern really. Probably because I have been involved with dogs since I was a kid, teach 4H and personally know a lot of under 25 (since that was the number someone mentioned, I'll go with it) people who are great homes. I have never been a fan of blanket policies about age, kids, fences, etc.

So the answer to the question is that it depends on the person. Definitely some people are weird about all sorts of stuff when it comes to selling puppies. There's people who won't sell to you because of your age, what you'll feed, if you don't have a fence, etc, etc, etc. But for the most part, breeders want good homes for their puppies and if they think you're a good home the age shouldn't be an issue for most.

[SaraB]

Originally Posted by Shai

Good references and presenting yourself well should go a long way to overcoming any possible age-related reservations.

This.

I was around your same age when I first approached a breeder about buying my first show puppy. However, I was able to back my intentions with rescue experience, breed knowledge, dedication to the breed as well as a stable home/income and a sense of maturity.

A mature, responsible 22 year old is far different from a 22 year old that spends their weekends trashed on someone's couch. It really isn't difficult to tell the difference between them either.

Also, you're killing me by not saying the breed name!!

[AdrianneIsabel]

I've had more trouble with rescues than breeders, dealing with restrictions. That said hyper labeling breeders are unlikely to get my business, I prefer buying from people who're less in it to be breeders than an owner with a good dog and great breeding potential.

[Oko]

I'm under 18, and I did mention it in email when I contacted two breeders. I knew I should mention it, but honestly I forgot my age could have been a deal breaker, so I guess that shows the reception. I made it clear I had already planned on futuredog coming to college, and how my parents were fine with me contacting breeders, what plans I had for the dog (working BC people), and told them I was providing the money for all the dog's expenses.

They didn't have a problem at all, it wasn't brought up again. Other than, oh how nice a youngster wants to spend her entire day with one of my puppies for the next 15 years.

The pain is that the obedience club in my area has a 'No one under 18 without an adult, loser' rule. So I'll have to email an instructor ahead of time so my dog and I aren't arrested for being underage.

[Emily]

Originally Posted by Aleron

LOL if you want well bred dogs as a teen, get into doing dog stuff and breeders will be offering you dogs left and right

LOL yep. I titled my first dog in AKC Ob/Rally when I was like... 20, I think? It definitely makes a big difference if you can show proof of prior involvement. For me, just a little bit of involvement/connectedness has gone a long way, and I've never really had trouble finding somewhere to get a dog from.

I had no problem purchasing Keeva at 22 years old, it never even came up. But the breeder is a friend of a friend so that helps too. Of course being in a stable living situation mattered, but there was never any doubt of that.

[frostfell]

Originally Posted by Aleron

LOL if you want well bred dogs as a teen, get into doing dog stuff and breeders will be offering you dogs left and right

This! If a kid was already doing obed and jr handlers and had no interest in breeding (which unfortunately doesnt happen in my breed, but hey look a unicorn pooping rainbows!) I would definitely consider them seriously

[DJEtzel]

I have also never had an issue adopting or purchasing a dog because of my age. Actually, it has never been mentioned and I never thought to mention it honestly.

I adopted my first dog when I was 18, renting, and in college. I worked at the shelter where she was available so that helped... and the director even gave me a discount on her adoption fee!

Then I jumped around trying to decide what breed I wanted next... talked to a lot of breeders, decided on Aussies for a while, couldn't find any breeders nearby or that would communicate regularly, then decided on Am Staffs last spring, met an awesome breeder that I'm still in contact with, but decided not to go with the litter I was planning on because of relationship problems (ending a 3 year relationship) and living concerns. I was renting a very large house that I couldn't afford when my boyfriend and all of my college roommates moved out for the summer. So I was homeless for about 3 months... adopted Sir despite that from animal control about a month before I went homeless because he was going to be put down and was an awesome dog. I would just adopt him out if it didn't work keeping him.. I just didn't want to see him PTS. That worked out great and a really nice Border Collie breeder that I had been admiring came out of the woodwork while I was homeless as I'd contacted her when my roommate was looking for a BC. She had a litter due in July and asked if either of us were still interested (I had been tossing around the idea then also of getting a BC instead of AmStaff) and I WAS because I hadn't gotten that puppy I had been wanting and at this point Bailey was staying with my parents. So I was 19 and homeless, working 60 hours a week at the time and we talked for a long time about what I was looking for in a dog, and my plans for housing, etc. Bought a house in august (September?) as I reassured the breeder I would, quit a job, and brought Recon home September 11th I believe!

LOTS of text there! lol, point is... age really doesn't matter to most people and I don't think my breeder even knows how old I am! I'm 20 now, but I was only 19 when I put down a deposit for the pups. They're looking for what you've already done with the dogs, the support system you have (trainers you know, places you train, etc) and what you plan to do with the dog, and how perceptive you are to their guidelines for it and keeping the puppy safe.

GOOD LUCK! I'm already talking to breeders for a potential 2014 litter.

[meepitsmeagan]

Originally Posted by DJEtzel

GOOD LUCK! I'm already talking to breeders for a potential 2014 litter.

Is this what I think it is?!

My experience has pretty much been the same as everyone else. Age hasn't mattered. I purchased my Boxer when I was 18, though I'm not sure the breeder would have given her to me without the word of a family friend who had Harlow's litter mate from 2 years earlier.

We adopted Rider living in a Pop-up trailer in a campground, planning to move back to MI two months later at age 19 and 20. That was definitely a strange situation...

I'm currently waiting on a litter planned for 2014 with my ACD breeder. We've talked extensively, though she never once mentioned any concern for my age. As everyone has said, as long as you act mature, have somewhat stable living conditions and money flow, and have some dog experience, you should be golden.

Now, what is this mystery breed?!

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by meepitsmeagan

Is this what I think it is?!

SSSSHHHHH! I started talking to Gwen a little this morning. :P

BUT, I have another breed in mind as far opposite as I could get that I'll have to meet first... No one is going to know what breed I'm getting next for a while.. since I won't be able to make up my mind!

[Beanie]

I was 21 when I got Auggie. I don't think my breeder ever even asked how old I was. My parents came with me to talk to her and check out her dogs, and I look really young, so she easily could have thought I was still in high school. I'm 28 now and still get people thinking I'm in high school...
At Auggie's very first agility trial, I ran Auggie in standard and then was off playing with him; somebody came up to his breeder (knowing he was one of her dogs) and said "She's wonderful! We should tell her about the junior handler program!!"
And my breeder was like "uhhhh... she's 23..." =P


I'm not a fan of blanket rules though I certainly understand some of them, but I wouldn't automatically rule somebody out based on their age.