Selling pups to those under legal age.

I thought the thread on what qualifications breeders want before they sell pups had a interesting one.. "have you ever sold to someone under legal age" a junior.. However that thread kinda turned from the original purpose of dicussing puppy buyer qualifications into a arguement about prodividing confidential info like a SSN and a DL#.

I am curious about this because there were a few who said yes, they have... but under circumstances. I've never even thought that most breeders would sell to someone under age, so I was wondering what exactly those circumstances would be.


And omg I haven't posted in this forum in awhile. I missed it!

Well I am going to start your thread out by NOT being a breeder, NEVER having been a breeder, and having NO plans on EVER being a breeder! hahahaha

*Hypothetical*

If I had a litter of anything.......cats, dogs, gerbils, whatever, I would consider an under aged owner based on their merits PLUS the merits of their parents/guardians.

If we are talking a show prospect the same principle would apply. I would look at the minor's previous history, if they had none I would look at their parents. I guess it would need to depend a lot on their attitude and animal experience in general if neither had any show experience. I think it would be a big gamble to hand over a show prospect to totally inexperienced people.

So what age would you (general you) limit it to?
14, 15.. 16? (etc)

Parents would definately play a big role.

The other purpose of my thread is because a friends sister really wants to purchase a pup. From a reputable breeder, .. a purebred. She knows just as much about dogs as I do, and is fully committed. She's sixteen, working fulltime at a Pet store (that sells all the healthy dog foods like acana, orijen) that she would bringing the pup to. She would be enrolling in puppy socialization classes, obedience classes, agility.. and breed specific activities.. (lure coursing for sighthounds, herding classes for a herder etc) and has been playing with the idea of training for a therapy dog. She believes in late spay/neuter .. limited vaccines and that that good doggy stuff.

Shes a good teenager, and the dog certainly would have a good life but age plays such a big role and theres no way that her parents know as much as she does, so having them deal with the breeder can't be done, really.

It was already mentioned in the other thread that one can not enter into a contract with a minor, and responsible breeders have contracts on their dogs.

Regardless of how responsible your friend's sister is, she presumably still lives at home at the age of 16. IOW, her parents call the shots. A breeder would have to be assured that the parents are ok with her having a dog, and that the parents are going to be financially responsible for the dog if she can't be. The fact is that things go wrong with dogs, and they can have quite expensive problems. For instance, one of my girls just had pyometra requiring an emergency spay at a vet college which cost $3000. If a dog bloats, you may be looking at a higher expense than that. A minor teenager may not be able to handle such emergencies.

As a rescue person, I can't tell you how many times we've had calls from parents after the teenagers have moved out and left behind their dogs, and the parents don't want them. That also tends to colour my view when it comes to breeding and placing puppies.

She actually lives with her grandma and works full time. her Grandma would be involved for the legal work, however the main thing is how comfortable breeders are with selling a pup that would be under the primarily care of a teenager.

She'd be getting pet insurance and be saving up a emergency fund in case anything were to happen.

How does she work full time? Is she in school?

I agree with Mary, I think it's too much responsibility to put on a teenager. I think it's perfectly wonderful if the PARENTS own the dog and are responsible for the dog's care, while the teen takes the dog to work, classes, etc. Although I think that the parents should also attend at least the basic obedience classes (but I usually think that EVERYONE in the household should attend those classes with their dog, regardless of who technically owns the dog).

Plus, the teen will be moving away eventually (presumably). College requires a lot more work than high school, plus there's the social aspect, so I don't think college students should be the sole caregiver of a dog. If she doesn't go to college, she still will probably move into an apartment/rental house, which may or may not allow dogs. And then the dog may or may not be comfortable living in a smaller area (or not having a yard, etc.).

Don't get me wrong, I think it's fantastic that a teenager is so interested in dogs, and I think that interest should certainly be encouraged. But I think that this period in life is just too unpredictable long-term for the teen to own and be solely responsible for the dog.

I always sold to a family ....if it was for an underage child then I expected them to see that my rules were followed .

It depends on the individual "minor". There are alot of youngsters who are interested in schutzhund, and chances are if they are interested, the parents are too. So I have no problem selling a dog to a minor, but as it was stated it is illegal to enter a contract with a minor. So the parents or guardian would have to do that. But just because a teen calls me and arent over the age of 18 does not mean I'm going to just shoo them away. I ask them what THEY want, they do the follow-up, basically all that an adult must do to purchase a puppy, its just legally it cant happen (and the contract is basically the only thing that involves the parents and their approval of course).

She's finished with school, finished earlier via internet schooling.
She already rents the basement from her grandma, and she's told me she doesnt have any plans to go to college/university. I can't really speak for her, I'm just gathering info for her. So this is what I gather.. I admit being biased (since I quite like her haha) however I am trying to speak truthfully on what her intentions are.

I think if she got a dog, she would recognize the commitment aspect of it. (meaning taking the dog with her when she moves out)

Everything does really depend on the individual teenager. I'm confused as to why the parents would have to be the sole resource provider for the dog, when the teen is capable, financially as well. Responsibility of a dog can be handled by a teenager, even if the parents/guardians would be the ones signing the contract.

Thank you that was helpful.

surely it must depend on the individual, I've been taking primary care of Buster for probably 2-3 years now. In the last 12-18 months I've taken over everything, I feed what I want, I train, I groom, I bath I excercise I research etc. On top of that I take responsibility for the other dogs worming scheduale, I usually feed them, bath them etc. I've only just turned 18 now. I would be relaly diheartened if, had I been in the position to take on another dogs, 1-2 years ago, some people wouldn't consider me due to my age.
I know when I move out, Buster comes with me, I know it will be very difficult trying to rent at 18/19 with a dog and no references. I will also always have my backup, if for any reason I get knocked down, I can come back home and recoup, always with my pets.

i personally think she sounds liek a great owner, she has finished school and is working full time, show ambition. She has obvisouly researched. She could maybe sign up for pet insurance while she saves an emergency fund? (I think that will be my plan)
To me, she sounds like she has her head on straight, moreso than a lot of adults in regards to dogs.

Well if it was a well qualified junior then the ENTIRE family would have to qualify because I would technicly sell the dog to thier parents as it is illegal to enter into a contract with a minor.

My parents signed the contract. But Blaze is registered in my name. I made contact with the breeder and he/she (husband/wife kennel) knew that I would be doing everything with him. I pay for everything for Blaze except Vet visits.

But they knew that my parents were on board for purchasing the pup and taking care of him.

I'm very grateful for my breeder and that they let me sign his papers and were willing to take the time to talk with me. IMO, more breeders should be willing to do this.

Ive paid for everything for my dog vet bills, her spay, shots, food toys, treats the entire nine yards plus i have lots of other animals and I got her when i was 17 i dont think its fair to deny minors if there responsible. I love animals I have 6 birds 8 gerbils 4 goldfish and koda and Im going on to tech school in a few months for a vet tech and theres nothing ive ever been more compassionate about than animals.

Well, I'm no breeder so I can't really say. But I had a dog sold to me when I was 17. The breeder wanted to talk to my parents, and after doing so there were no more qualms about my age. My dog was sold to me and not my parents.

Hypothetically, if I was breeding, I wouldn't be opposed to placing puppies with minors. I would want to know that their parents were as serious about the commitment to the dog as their child was.

I probably wouldn't place a dog in a home where the primary caretaker would be under 13.

I think a lot depends on the maturity of the minor in question, but I would certainly not rule out a junior as a potential home for one of my hypothetical puppies. I might be a little more critical of their home environment (kids ARE fickle and they certainly won't be home all the time to care for their dog, so the rest of the family matters a lot) but I wouldn't automatically scratch a potential buyer based on age.

ok, heres my point of view, from someone who was a minor and by most rescues is still considered a minor. I am 19, and moved out on my own, etc. I tried to adopt a dog from the humane society and they wouldnt even talk to me because I wasnt 21, and the other organization wouldnt talk to me because I am not a "family". Personally I think this is rediculous, and I think breeders doing it is rediculous also. I think that yes they should be asking the minor all the same questions as the adults and yes there should be a little more to make sure that the minor will be responsible, but I dont think they should not talk to someone just because they are a minor, or rule them out because of it.

and as for the whole minor not being home all the time, well you have great breeders selling puppies to owners where they work 8 hour days. It just seems like some on here are saying that because they arent minors they will be home for the dog, etc. Adults go out with friends and work 8 hours days, etc. so they technically wont be home for the dog all the time either. What about people who live by themselves and work 8 hour days and such, would you not sell a puppy to them because no one else will be home to care for their dog?

While yes I think breeders need to be selective of who buys their puppies, I think certain things could be a little less strict. Beemer, my dog, didnt come from a perfect breeder, she didnt have a contract, but she did show her dogs, but didnt have titles on all that she bred. But she was the only breeder I could find that was clsoe to what I was looking for, in the price and driving range that I could go for that would actually sell a dog to me. The fact that I live with roommate and am under 21 yrs of age played big against me when looking at rescues AND breeders. And I think thats why some people do go to "less then reputable breeders" to get pets, because sometimes its just really hard to get one from a reputable breeder.

ok sorry for the long post lol