New puppy v older pup?

[Tillymai]

Hi everyone

We're looking to get our first cocker spaniel puppy, I've researched breeders carefully and we're on the waiting lists for a couple I like the look of. One of them has called today to say she has an older pup (16 weeks) that she is now going to make available - she had run him on for a bit waiting to see what his colouring would turn out to be but has now decided to let him go.

I hadn't really thought about taking on an older puppy as I'd just assumed they all get snapped up asap. I'm not averse to the idea but am not really sure what I should expect from an older pup and what questions I should be asking the breeder? I've checked all the things that you would with a new puppy (he's clear for PRA/FN, I would be able to see the parents and the breeder seems to have a plausible reason for why he's the only pup left from his litter). Is there anything else I should be thinking of? Should I expect him to be house trained / lead trained / socialised etc by 16 weeks? Not sure what's realistic.... Will it be harder for him to settle in with us as an older pup more used to his current home?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you

Emma

[Misty Roan]

I have had an older pup before, springer spaniel, She was going to be shown too but developed an undershot jaw as she grew so wasn't suitable.  She was raised in the house, well handled and house trained, walked on a lead.  She wasn't that great socially as she was reared in the countryside and I presume didn't have a lot of socialisation but she was ok (till she got old and grumpy but that's another tale).  I would say it can be an advantage if the puppy has been well reared and socialised well in the home otherwise could be lots of work as is an 8 week pup. I know 'cos the one I've got now I had from 8 weeks and is now 13 weeks and still exhausting.  Others may have better advice about older cockers.

[karen488]

We had a basset hound puppy of the same age years ago. It was a disaster for many reasons. Lots of fault on my side. But I also felt very badly advised by the breeder. He was well socialised with his dog family but didn't bond with us. I feel that that was down to the breeder not being a fantastic breeder. I think with an older pup you have to be doubly careful that the pup has been really well socialised with people. I am not the most experienced bod on here but thought I'd add my opinion. (our dog went back to the breeder)

[Pudding]

Bob was 6 Months old when i got him...... he was still very puppy But he never ever had a wee or a poo
in the house not once.... he did not do the bitting my feet thing like all puppies do.... he has never chewed anything
i could take him out more or less straight away.......
for me at the time being that bit older was fab .... i would do it again

[Eve]

It is quite common for breeders to run on one or more dogs and then let one gone. Personally, an older puppy had been my first choice and I had put out feelers for a 'run on dog'.

They are usually house trained but the bonding may take a little while.

Eve

[waggytails]

I got Darcy at four and half months old, he was going to a home that wanted to show him but his testi did not drop, so thats how we got him, he did need toilet training but i suppose being that bit older it took no time at all compared to Hattie that we got at 8 weeks and took a good year to properly train.  He did like chewing though,    For me who found the first weeks of puppy hood a nightmare, found this to be much easier. 

[minimoo]

 i got Bailey at 6 months old and ive just got Milo, he was 14 weeks old when i got him and hes 16 weeks old now, hes just a liitle baby , even at 6 months old Bailey  was still a puppy , ive also taken on two bitches over the years who have been 2 and half years old, and believe me the younger the pup the harder the work  i forgot just how much work a puppy of this age is , remember 16 weeks is only 4 months old, still just a little puppy in my opinion , hes def worth going to see if you are happy with the breeder , dont expect him to be house trained, he may be but you would be lucky if he is at that age, it took me one day to lead train Milo , all pups are different but as i said before 16 weeks is still only a baby 

[Nicola]

I prefer to get them a bit older. I got Rodaidh at 22 weeks and Caoimhe at about 20 weeks (not at the same time). They were still puppies but you can see more of their personality at that age and get a better idea of how they might turn out which was important to me, especially in Caoimhe's case as I wanted her for field trials. They were both kennelled before I got them, Rodaidh all the time as he came from his breeder who's a gundog trainer and Caoimhe most of the time although she had been in the house as well, but I had no issues with either of them in terms of living in the house or bonding to me at all, of all the dogs I've ever had they're the two that I'm closest to.

For me because of what I want the dogs for, especially Caoimhe, getting them a bit older is just less of a 'lucky dip' than choosing one at 8 weeks old, plus I'm not a big fan of living with the tiny puppy stage - I see more than enough tiny puppies at work  It's worked out perfectly - better than perfectly - both times.

[Tillymai]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm going to speak to the breeder to ask a few more probing questions and arrange to go and see him. Maybe our puppy search will be over sooner than we realised 

[pam1]

We had Olllie at 6 months and Poppy at 3 months and Ollie was so much easier.  We had our daughter's cocker, Maddie, from 8 weeks and never again!!(though she is a gorgeous dog now) 

We would definately go for an older pup next time. 

[Sarah.H]

Can I just add that from a bonding point of view we got Millie when she was 18 months. Although she has problems from being a second hand dog and rubbish previous owners I have an amazing bond with her, probably more so than my previous dogs. I think you will know if you go to see him  .

[Loudon]

Yeah, don't reject pup just because he is a bit older. Some breeders run on a couple of pups before deciding which one to keep for showing so you might get a nice pup up to standard.

Any reputable breeder won't sell a duff pup under false pretence so they should be ok if you say that you will buy on the understanding that you will take the pup to your vet for a checkup (use your social skills as you maybe starting a long relationship with the breeder). Keep the breeder informed as she will be interested on the wellbeing of the pup too.

Make sure that parents of pup are fully health tested.

[Snoo]

Clover is now 16 weeks old and I got her at 8 weeks. Although it has been quite an exciting experience taking on a puppy from the youngest age possible I wouldn't hesitate to go for an older puppy or even young adult dog if I decided I wanted a companion for her. Raising a puppy from very young is rewarding but it is also exhausting and I reckon at 16 weeks they are still young enough to mould to your own way of life and more biddable than when younger. Clover is already housetrained and has been for a few weeks,  and is now beginning to take more notice of me and picks commands up very readily - I think 16 weeks is a great age! (Mind you, even older might be good - get past that puppy biting stage!  )

[starboy]

I personally love the young puppy stage and wouldn't want to miss those first few weeks which are incredibly hard but so rewarding. After saying that I would consider a look at the pup and you might find an instant bond. 

[Tillymai]

A quick update - we went to see the puppy yesterday and all fell head over heels  So much so, we brought him home with us and he's now curled up by my feet! I can't quite believe my luck 

Everything just felt right - the breeder was lovely, he's such a handsome dog, bright eyes and glossy coat with a lovely calm, gentle temperament, and his parents both seemed great dogs.

We're calling him Bear and as soon as I work out how to post some pictures I will!

Thank you for all your advice - I'm sure I'll need tons more as we settle Bear in over the next few weeks but right now I just feel like a very proud, privileged new mummy!

E x