Young People and puppies/dogs

[Spike]

I'm relatively new here, so please bear with me. If I'm out of line, please correct me (nicely please )

I have read some posts from members stating how they would be leery of letting puppies go to homes with young single people. I was intrigued by that statement. It got me thinking.

I am a 20 year old student, third year university of a four year program. I still live at home, but will almost certainly move out this summer. I've lived with dogs most of my life. I buy all my puppy's supplies now, which amounts to a fair bit of money. I split vet bills with my parents.

I can see how many students and young people would not have the time to exercise and train a dog, but I think it really depends on the person. I have no problem getting up at 6am to go outside for a jog with the puppy. I used to get up at 6am to hop on the elliptical or the stationary bike, so why shouldn't I do the same with a furry companion? I don't go out partying, except for a few select occasions, namely birthdays and New Year's.

Another argument was what happens when the person starts dating? Well, that's not really an issue for me. If I meet someone, they will have to like dogs. No ifs ands or buts. As for sleeping over at that person's house, not going to happen. If for some reason I absolutely have to, then my roomate can look after the dog. I don't plan on living alone, at least, that's the plan. Travel is pretty much the same, I don't travel all that often, and when I do, I have the time to arrange for a puppy-sitter.

As a young person, do I really stand a chance of buying a puppy in the future or do I have a black mark next to my name simply by being under a certain age?

[schnzrluv]

In my opinion, age should not be a factor at all. As long as you are responsible, and have a stable living situation there shouldn't be a problem. I feel that same way about selling dogs to people with young children. (there was a debate about that a little while ago) There are many breeders who refuse to sell a dog to people with young children, or to a college student.(I am not a breeder, nor do I speak for any breeders, just going by a few situations I've seen) I feel that these are some of the reasons people buy from BYB's. If you don't want a mix breed/rescue, and the reputable breeders will not sell you a dog, you are automatically pushed into the arms of the very people who shouldn't be supported.

Lindsey

[linnie]

Spike you have some valid points. One of the reasons people do worry about placing animals with single is because they do want to party and often dont realise the time and energy that goes into raising a dog or any animal

having said that I know for a fact that good breeders check the people single or married, childless or with children.

If you have always been around dogs and cared for them I am sure that this would show in your attitude

Some of the people on this site had dogs before marriage and their partner had to accept that the dog even slept with them roflmao.

[Pippinislove]

Well I know of quite a few kids under 18 who have gotten dogs from reputable and responsible breeders. Think of the kids under 18 who show dogs; not ALL of them have parents in the dog show sport.

But, as much as it may seem unfair to people who have kids, are younger (I'm young myself), or still in school to be denied a pup from a reputable breeder... You have to look at it from a breeder's standpoint. Breeders are, hopefully, getting applications for potential homes before they breed. It's not that all breeders are *unwilling* to give to people who are younger and in school, but they are getting homes interested in puppies from people who are older, have a stable income, and aren't in school. A lot of times such a home may be more appealing than the former. (Does that make sense?)

[elegy]

i think it completely depends on the individual person and their situation.

i shared an apartment in college with this girl who had a tibetan terrier puppy. she was a full-time student, worked part-time, and was ms. social butterfly. she did not take care of the dog, ever. *i* took care of the dog, and it was extremely unfair to me and to the dog. i have no idea what happened to the dog when i moved out. she "loved him" but she could not be bothered to take care of him, walk him, housebreak him, train him. if i were a breeder, i would not want one of my pups going to that kind of an owner. but i suspect it had more to do with her individual personality than with her being young.

i think it's reasonable to be nervous about placing a dog in a home where there is so much up in the air. what happens after school? where will you live? what happens if you can't get a job? etc etc. but if the person is dedicated and a good dog owner, they're going to make it work.

[kazkirkpatrick]

When I got Cooper, I was 21 and a senior in college. That dog was spoiled rotten as a pup. There are definitly the more responsible variety of young people out there, and you sound like one of them, and I know I was too. That dog got walks from all the roommates (4 of us), excellent medical care and nutrition, and TONS of love from my family when I would take him home with me for the holidays. He would also go to the dog park every day, sometimes twice a day if roommate wanted to go play with him. Its DEFINITLY possible!

[Shalva]

and the fact that you are all here makes you all exceptions to the rule...... however I am a University Professor and I think young people are great.... I also see alot of flightiness, and irresponsibility..... and to be honest I don't give a hoot about the Prospective person who wants a puppy..... whether they are happy or sad or mad or whatever about my decision to give them or not give them a puppy.... all I care about is that puppy and setting him up to be successful in a forever home...... and as I have said in all of my previous posts on this subject...... yes things happen to older folks as well and I have been considering requiring marriage counseling (just kidding) but older folks with jobs and houses and kids are as a general rule more stable.
so there ya have it. I also know some of my students who have dogs and are great with them.... I also know many that have had trouble with roommates and needed to move and finding places that allow dogs is difficult. I know some wiht good roommates but had trouble with houseguests feeding their dogs things they shouldn't have. So there are good and bad in all groups of people, but that having been said,,,,, being a statistical person, the odds are better with a family who is established.
S

[Raised By Wolves]

Actually, I do give a hoot as to the character, temperment, and intentions of anyone who adopts a dog or purchases a puppy from a breeder. This will have more of an impact on whether the dog will have a forever home, than any outside circumstance.

A responsible person will behave responsibly and honor their obligations. Someone who buys a pup on a whim, may not.

It depends on the individual.

[Shalva]

well actually what I meant by that was ..... I care abotu my puppy and thats it.... if I make someone mad because I won't sell them a puppy, or sad or whatever, I dont care about that.... all I care about is the puppy.....
of course I want to know there intentions but I meant I don't give a hoot about pleasing people..... I went against my gut one time...... because I felt bad because this person was going to be disappointed and sad... and the reality is that she never should have gotten a puppy..... I should have gone with my gut...... and if folks think I am unreasonable then so be it.....

sorry that wasn't clear...... I do care about my puppy people and what they need and I am always there for them..... I was talking more about prospective people and I realized after re reading that that it didn't come out clearly.
sorry
s

[mrsgrubby]

Spike,
You have raised some good points, as have others like Elegy. As a foster mom of puppies I am leary about young single people. However I can tell you just last week I adopted both of my foster babies out to single men.

One was 24, had a stable job, owned his own home and had a great support system of his mom and day, and had been raised around dogs. He seemed willing to puppy his puppy first in his life.

The other was probably in his 30's, lived with his mom on a big sheep farm, and so gets to spend all day with his dogs.

I interviewed them both very well and one of them I readily approved, the other one the adoption agency approved.

So it is possible, you will just have to have a good talk with the person with the dog you want.

[DFrost]

<<<A responsible person will behave responsibly and honor their obligations. Someone who buys a pup on a whim, may not.>>>

Couldn't have said it better myself. Whatever happened to individual responsibility. I'm as opposed to denying a "young" person the ownership of a lifelong friend as I am to any other type of prejudicial and biggoted behavior.

If I'd have listened to counselors and statistics as a youngster, I'd have been digging ditches and would never attained a degree.

DFrost

[oc_spirit]

I'm 17 years old and at 14 I began my search for a Husky breeder. I approached her myself, talked about everything with her myself, filled out the questionaire myself, and all that jazz. Actually, the only time she met my parents was after I had gotten approved and we went to put the down payment. She knew my parents supported the idea of getting a puppy, and she could see that though I was young, I was responsible, knew exactly what I was getting into, and had done my research.

If you do the same and prove to the breeder you are just as eligible for a puppy as the guy with a family who works, then you shouldn't have any problems.

[fluffypuppylover]

Yes, I agree that age should not be a deciding factor in buying from a breeder or adoption. I'm only 20 and when I adopted Abbie they were very impressed that I had references, vet references, and a solid job and plan, so they let me adopt her. Some places are extreme about ages though. I helped a friend of mine look for a Chihuahua pup this summer. We found a great little rescue, but they required the adopter to be 30, own their own home, and not have any children. Being only 21 and only renting a home, they turned her down, despite her having a steady job, being out of school and having a stable home, and having wonderfeul references saying how responsible she is. A few weeks later, she ended up going to a pet store and buying a little Chi puppy. That pup is spoiled rotten, fed the highest quality food and rushed to the vet over every little thing.

So you have both extremes really. I can see not adopting/selling to an 18 year old. Most colleges require you to live on campus first year. Mine did, and wow, was that the longest and loneliest year of my life. No cold wet noses, no dog hair, no morning walks, no visits to Petco, no dog parks, I was miserable, even with coming home every weekend and having my family bring Abbie for visits. So I dropped out of that school and decided to pursue a degree online, where I could be close to my babies. But a girl I know went and bought two BYB Golden Retrievers when she got her loan check. Now, she has no time to exercise them, and since she only does work-study and gets very little money, she has no money to buy them food most of the time either. They're 5 months old and not spayed/neutered and I swear if she lets them breed so she can sell the pups I'll be calling Animal Control on her. So you have the young people who are wonderful about pet ownership and then you have the people who are the reasons a lot of these age limits exist.

I say that if you truly are responsible and ready for a dog, you WILL find a breeder or rescue who will give you a dog. It will take more work, but it will happen.

[Charlie_boy]

Spike i had the same question in mind and i think we may have noticed the same post. I think it should be a totally individual thing, if a breeder sees a person who they think can give their pups all the love and attention and everything else they need PLUS all that then what difference does it make if they are young and single? I am 25 and in my 3rd and final year university student. I dont have a lot of student loan money but i know for a fact i will go with out before my Charlie does. I got him neutured just this afternoon which set me back £106 and for me that is a lot of money but i dont resent it at all. I still live with my folks and when i am not home then they are here to look after him and he loves it. When i move out i will take him with me of course but if i am unable to get home for what ever reason then i know there will always be "nanny and grampy" for him to stay with. If and when i meet a partner then they deal with me having a dog or they say good bye. Love me love my dog and thats the bottom line of it. i feel that in a way i have had a lot more time for Charlie through the important puppy stages and have managed to socialise him and train him well and generally spend more quality time with him than say a married couple who work all day. I am responsible, single and dont have a lot of money but i DO love my dog with all my heart and have and always will put him first before any of my own needs. I also done a lot of research and put a lot of effort in to shih tzus before deciding it was the breed for me, i have ALWAYS been around dogs and i am lost with out that companionship so i would hope with all my heart a breeder would see i am a great dog owner and not deprive me of the joy due to my age and circumastances. but of course it is the responsible breeders who are the picky ones.

Sharon and Charlie

[Boerboelmom]

Hey Spike,

We look at each and every potential puppy owner on an individual basis. For someone like yourself we would sit and talk back and forth with you in order to find out more about you and your living situation. Then after that (just like with everyone else) we ask for a few references both personal and dog related. This helps us to solidify in our minds the type of person that you are. Not only this but in the case of a young owner, there would be a strict contractual agreement set out ahead of time for the spay/neuter portion as well as the obedience training portion, this is done for two reasons...one to make sure that the new owner is true to their word, and secondly it builds a responsibility and trust between owner,puppy, and breeder. That should be absolutely taken into consideration for any future purchases!
JMO
Sincerely,
Boerboelmom