Choices--Breeder Pup or Gorgeous Adult

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Poedogruns

Forums Regular
Hello: So under the rule that one sheltie is not enough, I have decided to look for a playmate for Stella, our 2 year old bi-blue. She is very active and playful. Just too much dog for our senior statesman collie--she jumps in his face and pulls his tail and then zooms off!

Anyway, I have two very good prospects. One is a 3 year old show girl who is retiring as an UKC champion. I will have to get her spayed. Her breeder tells me she is social and fun and likes to play. She is an absolute doll to look at. She is used to children (mine are teenagers), cats and the hustle of a house so apparently she isn't just a kennel dog.

The other is a puppy-to-be-born in October from Stella's breeder, ready in December. In fact, the puppy would be Stella's half sister. I recall very clearly the puppy days with Stella; her wilfulness; the potty training, leash training, everything training. However, you all know it is and how irresistible sheltie puppies are.

What, practically, is the difference between UKC registered and AKC registered when applied to a pet situation? We are happy with the product we have now with Stella, so do I just wait it out for the puppy?
 
That's a tough choice. On one hand you've got the known quantity in the show girl. On the other hand ... I mean ... puppies. PUPPIES! ('nuf said). The obvious consideration is the uncertainty of a puppy's health and personality, plus the time investment in training. On the other hand, even though the show girl is only three, that is three years less you'll have with her (generally speaking.)

At the risk of sounding crazy (crazy about Shelties, anyway) why not get both? The only thing better than a Sheltie is more Shelties. :biggrin2:

As for the difference between the ACK and UKC, it is my understanding that the UKC is more lax about breed and therefore not recognized internationally. But, I will let those more familiar with the nuances go into detail.
 
If I were in your shoes, I would go with the 3 yr old adult. Why? Because I just got done with that puppy nonsense with Missy (she's a bit younger than Stella), and I would rather not start from square one with another puppy. Will the breeder let you have a trial run with the 3 yr old? Bring her home, see how she gets along with Stella. She sounds like a fabulous dog.

I agree though, who can resist puppies??
 
The only down I can see with the adult is they are similar in age so there might be a battle on top dog that needs to work out, doubtful with a pup. The downside with a pup is the hassle factor and how will your 3 yr old tolerate the energy (Sca is 4 and a pup would not phase him but I think some might be less tolerant)

Likely either way is a win.
 
SheepOfBlue said:
The only down I can see with the adult is they are similar in age so there might be a battle on top dog that needs to work out, doubtful with a pup. The downside with a pup is the hassle factor and how will your 3 yr old tolerate the energy (Sca is 4 and a pup would not phase him but I think some might be less tolerant)

Likely either way is a win.
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Her current dog is 2.. although from previous posts it sounds like her bday is in December, so that puts her around 20 months?
 
Hmmm. Well like Lunatic said, that's a tough one. I'm always asked if my shelties are related, and I love it if one day I could say "Yes" So if I were in your shoes, getting Stella's sister would be very cool. But then you have the stained carpets, chewed furniture, and urine smell if the puppy 'goes' in the house and you don't know it. An adult is trained. Really it depends on what YOU want. Maybe meating the adult and doing a one week trial, then doing the same with the puppy in December. Pick the dog that's best for you and your other dogs.
 
I never considered that the close proximity in age might mean a battle for top dog between the two. My perfect scenario would be the dogs would best friends that play well. Maybe this isn't certain with an older dog match?
 
Poedogruns said:
... I have decided to look for a playmate for Stella, our 2 year old bi-blue...

Anyway, I have two very good prospects. One is a 3 year old show girl who is retiring as an UKC champion...

The other is a puppy-to-be-born in October from Stella's breeder...

...difference between UKC registered and AKC registered when applied to a pet situation?...
Click to expand...

I have next to nothing to offer about AKC vs. UKC. I am sure that several others here will offer you advice on that matter. I would think that the answers as to whether the 3 year old or the puppy-to-be is the best choice for you come from within rather than from members here. It would seem that the decision is very simple (I said simple, not easy).

I think my personal decision may very well come down to the same (or similar) choice. The questions I am asking myself are: What are the downsides of each choice? If I choose the older dog, will I forever regret the missing of the puppy phase? (All of us who have gone through it at least once, remember the cute, adorable, fuzzy months). If I choose the puppy, will I regret having to deal with (once again) the puppy accidents, seemingly endless training issues, etc.? Only you can provide those answers for yourself. Choose well, but whatever you choose, don't look back. OR, like Lunatic59 said, you could take one from column A and one from column B - take them both! :rolleyes2:
 
SheepOfBlue said:
The only down I can see with the adult is they are similar in age so there might be a battle on top dog that needs to work out, doubtful with a pup.
Click to expand...

That's not necessarily true. Sarah is competing for top dog with F-kap and has been since she was about 4-5 months old. Yah, I know, that's young. Now that she's a year she's finally winning over ALL the dogs including F-kap. It's sad for me to see my big tough boy backing down to the pipsqueak that he could eat for lunch if he wanted to. She didn't win that title easily though, there were battles.:( It can go either way. To me, age doesn't make much of a difference. It's just a game of chance.
 
Yes, Stella was born in late November, so she is a little under 2 years old. I rounded up, but she is pretty much a pupster herself when I consider that prospective.
 
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