Can I get a samoyed from breeder or rescue if I am a first time dog owner?

: How much do reputable breeders and rescue groups hold it against you if you are a first time dog owner?
I am looking to get a Samoyed in a few months, have all the research down and it is the dog I want. If I decide to get one from a reputable breeder or rescue group, how much will they hold it against me if I have never owned a dog before?

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Answers and Views:

Answer by Rotten Rotts Lets Restore Sanity in the DS
Kinda a tough question to answer. It entirely depends on the breeder or rescue. A breeder would consider selling you a limited registration pet quality dog, if you have done the research, have a good home to accommodate the dog and are responsible.
However a GOOD breeder might have a long waiting list. Your best bet would be to contact the Samoyed breed club.
A rescue would greatly depend on the dog, many rescues come with problems and might not be good for a first time buyer. Again you need to contact one near you and go meet with them.

Answer by Lori Chapek-Carleton
The thing to do is establish a relationship with people who own and/or breed Samoyeds; if you can, go see some being exhibited at local dog shows, and then ask if you can talk to some of the owners after they show. Check out the Samoyed Club of America’s website at samoyedclubofamerica.org; it contains lots of information, as well as information on Samoyed Rescues, regional clubs, and SCA breeders. I’ve sold Samoyeds to first-time dog owners, and first-time Samoyed owners; as long as you understand that Samoyeds shed their undercoats twice a year (I tell people it’s like a yard full of dandelions went to seed and EXPLODED), are fairly high-energy (alternating with deep periods of sleep); are VERY people oriented and want to be with their people all the time, can be stubborn, can be diggers, can be destructive if bored, and are SMART. I’ve owned and been around dogs all my life, and Samoyeds are the breed I chose for myself as an adult.

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Answer by Jessie
Being a first-time dog owner does not disqualify you. (I’ve grown up with a reputable breeder/exhibitor and we have certainly sold dogs to first-time owners!)
You would be somewhat less attractive than an experienced dog owner who has great references. Good breeders and good rescues want to place their dogs in permanent homes. But you aren’t DISQUALIFIED!
In your situation, you may have to give more character references. You may have to give a solid name of a trainer you plan to use and a vet you will use and the breeder/rescue will check that you have indeed spoken to those pros and have discussed using them with your new dog.

The thing to keep in mind here is that breeder/rescue decisions are not about YOU, personally. They really aren’t! The breeder or rescue wants to ensure a good, permanent home for their animals. If there are say 6 dogs available and 9 experienced, successful dog owners and then you–you might not get a dog from them. NOT BECAUSE YOU CAN’T DO IT! But because they have 9 known quantities and then you, who they hope will prove to be a good dog owner but there is no evidence behind you saying that you ARE one. They are playing it safe-not condemning you! They are trying to place the dogs or pups in the best homes that they can find. So they will select an experienced, successful dog owner over one with no experience when they can. Surely, you can understand that if you love dogs.

If you are going to a reputable breeder, get on the waiting list. Keep talking to them. You may even want to do a limited co-ownership with them. Usually, a co-ownership is used to give a breeder rights to a show prospect. HOWEVER, it can also be used when a breeder has a good feeling about you, but isn’t entirely comfortable–like in your case, where you seem to be prepared and motivated but can’t PROVE you’ll be a good owner. So maybe do a co-own that expires in a year to two years as you prove yourself to the breeder. We’ve done this with a few pups over the years and it’s always worked out well. The breeder signs over all rights to you (ending the co-own agreement) once you’ve proven yourself as a great owner for this dog–and if you didn’t, the breeder would take the dog back! Sometimes we’ve done it with show prospects when the owner was new to the breed, sometimes we’ve done it with pets, and sometimes we’ve done it because we felt an owner was a great choice, but had no prior evidence to prove they would be. We’ve therefore kept out rights until we were 100% comfortable with that pet owner. Limited co-own may be the ticket here for you if you are dealing with a good breeder. (If the dog is a pet, the dog would be spayed/neutered before the co-own arrangement expired.)

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It may take you longer to get a dog, but you will get one if you can show you are prepared!

Answer by Mike R
No reputable breeder or rescue will provide you with a Samoyed if you are a first time dog owner, UNLESS you can clearly demonstrate to them that you have done your homework, understand the breed and its requirements, and have a suitable environment in which to rear a Samoyed puppy.

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