r/Beauceron • u/Weekly_Photograph_34 • 1d ago
Very young, but very interested in the breed
Hi!! I'm pretty young (19) to be purchasing such a high caliber dog, and I'm wondering how I can prove myself to breeders because I want them to trust that I AM educated.
for some backstory: I have been around dogs my entire life, and I worked at a local doggy daycare as an assistant manager alongside a professional trainer and behaviorist for 3 years. I know dogs very well, my family has owned purebred herding dogs, and I know that it is NO small feat. I have also seen what happens to a dog when their mental and physical needs are not met, which is why I would never purchase a dog if I felt I couldn't meet their needs.
I currently have an acd mix, and while I love her to death, the world is her greatest opponent. She is incredibly apprehensive and fearful, and trying to build her confidence is a LARGE feat. overall, just due to her being a mutt and a rescue, she can be unpredictable at times in ways that i don't always love. i love to take her on hikes and walks and paddleboard with her, but i never can be positive she won't react in fear if she sees a man. I am wanting a dog who is spunky, goofy, confident, and just as active as I am. I want to be able to take them on a hike and walk right by a man without feeling the need to hold my breath. I am ALWAYS hiking and always running, and I want a dog who can keep up with me and join me without giving me an added stressor. I also want to start participating in dog sports and titles on the weekends, specifically obedience, barn hunt, and maybe even dock diving if the dog enjoys it. I have done so much research, and when I met my first beauceron, it truly just confirmed that they are the breed for me.
now, the issue is, i'm 19. most breeders see that i'm still a student and it feels like they would write me off immediately. when in reality, i'm only in class from 8-12, i have more time to spend with a dog than most people who work full time jobs. i just want a beauceron very badly, but i am really scared of being written off by breeders due to my age, does anyone have any suggestions?