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I think this is just the case of someone who probably has had to deal with a lot of people who - unlike you - get a puppy and expect an "add water and stir trained dog". After working in a pretty large shetler for 20 years I can tell you that the average age for a dog to get dumped is 9 months... because they are no longer a cute pup and need exercise, training and time/energy.
I applaud very much your researching what might be best for you. I'd only add that you may want to check out AKC breed club sites. I'm a HUGE supporter of gettting a dog from a reputable breeder even if you don't want to show, etc. The reason being is that I am willing to pay a bit more for a "pet" quality dog because I understand ALL that is behind a well bred dog versus the CL special. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO SUPPORT BACKYARD BREEDERS AND OTHERS WHO HARM OUR DOGS! And this includes supporting so called "no kill" shetlers who give BYBs a "guilt free ride" by assuring them they WILL find a home for their puppies and kittens (if they don't turn them away) and, personally, I HATE hoarders, which is what almost all "no kills" are. Sorry, I'm passionate about this because I LOVE DOGS! (If any of you are familiar with the novel The Dog Who Spoke With Gods, I wrote that...
So, anyway, consider getting a dog which has been produced by folks who LOVE dogs enough to health test, have waiting lists before they breed, microchip and all the other things reputable breeders do. So many people say they hate "puppy mills" and then SUPPORT the ones in their own neighborhood with out knowing it.
I'm sure you can find an older, quiet dog through purebred rescue. Good luck.
Yes you are correct, that was the reason I said what I did.
I try and educate people before they get a dog that isn't going to suit their lifestyle and needs. I know Laurajean is going to do this the right way and I, too, applaud her for that. I was too abrupt with what I said before.
The average age I see dogs is around the 9 month mark as well, next most common age is 18 months. I am working now with a family that just bought a Shiloh Shepherd puppy, 5 months old from a kennel locally. This is their first puppy ever, though I have worked with them and their Siberian x Border collie they got from a rescue. I talked to them extensively about what to look for in a breeder and a puppy. I went to do their first puppy lesson yesterday, I was really disappointed. I read through all their paperwork they got with the pup. I read his temperament test results and his conformation exams as he grew. The temperament test was a joke, they concluded this dog has a Medium-soft temperament. This is the most cow hocked dog I have ever seen, and his temperament is very, very soft (fearful). Though I will give him credit and say he recovers nicely from stress, though it takes longer than I'd like it to. What really I didn't like about this puppy was that these clients didn't get what they were looking for, they just dont' know it yet. They were looking for a guardian type dog, with really really good hips and few health issues, and easily trainable.
What they did get was a trainable, yet fearful older puppy (5 months old) that has NO clue how to engage mentally or physically with people. His brain has yet to be "switched on", he gives little to no eye contact and has no clue where his space ends and yours begins. His main behavior was avoidance the entire lesson, the only time he didn't avoid was when the leash was on and he had no choice. Thats when I was able to observe how he recovered from stress so well. There's hope here, and over all he's a nice dog, but NOT what they were looking for.
They close in a while and when I called after hours last night, I discovered they don't have an option to leave a message, so I just keep dialing.
