Sometimes when wanting to add a new furry member to a family it is decided to get an adult dog instead of a puppy. There are many reasons for this decision but typically it is usually due to not wanting to go through the puppy stages (house training and such) with the new dog or lack of time to raise and train a young puppy but plenty of time for an adult (not being able to leave work every few hours to potty and feed/water a puppy).

• With an adult you know future size, weight, and look and don't have to guess.
• An adult is also already going to have all of their shots, wormings, heartworm preventive, flea preventive and so on up to date. This means no puppy boosters or puppy wormings are needed as they have already been done.
• Typically an adult is also already going to have all genetic testing done as well. On puppies I do give a genetic guarantee but with an adult none is needed usually since everything has already been tested.
• An adult is going to have a lot more training than an 8 week old puppy, which can included some or all of the following.

1.  Housebroke
2. Leash trained
3.  Used to being bathed and groomed
4.  Crate trained
5. Ride well in the car
6. Obedience training

•  An adult is not going to need you home as often to potty them and feed/water them.
• If you have older pets in your house they do sometimes take easier to an adult than they would a baby.

•  An adult is going to require more time to adjust to their new home than a puppy. This is because everything and everyone that has been consistent in their lives up to now (which could be 6 years or more) is now gone. They are going to need time to get used to the new environment, people, pets, schedules, expectations and so on. So time, love and understanding are going to be needed. How long it takes exactly just depends on the individual dog. Some only take a week or two others may need longer like a month or two. It just depends on that particular dog. But they will eventually adjust and be happy as a member of your family. Every dog I've ever sold as an adult has done so no matter their age, but they do need time and if you are willing to put the time in then you end up with an excellent addition to your family.
•  All of my dogs are good with dogs, cats and people and have been well socialized. But I do not personally have kids so they have not been around them. So if getting an adult from me and you have kids it may take a bit for the dog to warm up to them.
•  With all of the stress caused by the change in homes an adult dog may need a short reminder course in their housebreaking. They do know it but typically the stress caused by a new home and them getting used to a different schedule and expectations do sometimes cause them to forget some of their training. Typically it only takes a week or two of you giving them a housebreaking refreshment course for them to be back to normal.
•  Occasionally a dog may not eat as much as they should the first couple of days in their new home as long as this doesn't continue for an extended period of time it is normal to the adjustment phase.

Other things to keep in mind when getting an adult dog from me

1.  I have 3 stairs max in my house so if you have a set that goes up to your 2nd floor the dog will probably need training in this area.
2.  I have about an acre that is completely fenced so that is where they potty, play and exercise. If you do not have a fenced yard and are planning to potty them on lead they may not at first and will have to get used to this new expectation.
3.  I do not have carpet anywhere in my house. I am a show breeder and therefore have multiple dogs as well as allergies and therefore have hardwood floors and tile only. I have had cases where I have sold an adult dog and the dog pottied on the carpet since they were paper trained as puppies this is what the dog thought the person wanted. It may take a bit of training but this is fixable as long as you keep in mind that the dog has no idea what carpet is and this is new to him/her.

•  The dog is being retired by the owner/breeder from being shown and/or bred.
•  A puppy was grown out to a year or two of age with the hopes by the breeder/owner that he/she would turn out as planned and be a show dog and just didn't.
•  The dog may not be able to produce a litter, didn't do well as a mom or had complications with pregnancy/delivery.
•  The dog may not have liked being a show dog
•  The breeder may want to go a new direction with their breeding program pedigree wise.

All of the above are reasons that an adult dog may be offered for sale and since a show breeder can't keep everyone no matter how much they love the dog we decide to offer the dog for sale to a pet home so that we can keep our numbers down and keep puppies in their place to start a new generation of our breeding program. Typically females are retired from being shown and bred anytime after 6 years of age. As for puppies that were being grown out and just didn't turn out as show there are so many different factors that may have just gone a little off to make them pet quality instead of show quality. The dog may be a just a tad too little, too big, just isn't the right type or has some minor fault that makes the decision for the breeder. With reproductive problems keep in mind they are not health problems and once the dog is fixed will not affect the dog. These can range from just not being able to get pregnant or sire a litter, to having problems having the puppies and the breeder makes the call to no longer attempt to breed the dog for the dog's best interest and just place them in a pet home.