? for real dog breeders, show, hunt or agility dogs, not pets....?

Question

This ? is in reference to a VERY GOOD ? posted yesterday

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArASX4JAp96UVhE9ltmL9Gjsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071025095801AAgOFFR&show=7#profile-info-nvPHccPbaa

Anyway, I wanted to further this thought with this....

As breeders, do you routinely keep some sort of control over the puppies you sell? (show dogs) Do you track and stay involved in the show careers, breedings and offspring? (hunting & agility dogs) Do you require certain training methods or involvement in the training process?

I am asking this of professional breeders because I was absolutely astonished at the level of "control" retained by the breeder over a dog once it is sold. (after reviewing the answers in yesterdays ?) I was involved in show horses and NEVER had anyone tell me i had to do certain things once I handed them thousands of dollars and put the animal in my name, it was my business? Is this really common in the dog industry???

Thanks for your answer guys. I am always getting greyhounds after their racing careers are over, so I understand the level of involvement regarding adoption, I just never knew it was so intense in the show dog world. Knowledge is power and I learned something today...Thanks!

Answer 1

Depends.

If I sell a dog to a breeder who I have known and I trust to do what is right by the dog... no.. I'll sell it outright. I stay "involved" in the show career only at the level that my name is on the dog as the breeder and my kennel name is on the dog. I stay involved at the level the other person wants me to .. generally I'm friends with the other breeders I sell show dogs to.

If I sell a dog to a novice it is MY responsibility to make sure as the breeder that the dog that *I* produced does not become a member of a puppymill, and that the owner is mentored and learns the aspects of showing and breeding that *I* feel are important. How to select a good puppy home is one example... and it takes time to teach it as well as to do it (I do not want to start finding dogs that a pup I produced is the dam of in rescue because I sold the dog to someone who is not careful enough). Generally, I sell dogs to novices only on a co-ownership so that I can assist in mentoring.

Personally... if I do not feel comfortable that I can work with someone on a longterm basis.. I won't sell them a dog but will refer them to another breeder who they may communicate better with.

Mentoring is a commitment... on both sides.

Consider the ramifications to a breeder IF someone who purchases a dog from them does not listen when they say "My pedigree does not mix well with XYZ's pedigree, that breeding is a BAD idea.".. and then the person does the breeding anyhow... the dogs are all pet quality (in the original breeder's eyes) but the novice doesn't see that and drags around poor quality specimans to multiple shows.. and everyone is able to see who the dam is.... or worse, the dogs start coming up with HD or cataracts or heart issues (yeah, I know a few lines you couldn't PAY me to own no matter how lovely).??

Answer 2

I am not a breeder myself, but I know quite a few people in my obedience club, etc... that do breed. And yes, they do want to stay involved. Right now, I am on the waiting list for a litter of BC pups to be ready next spring/summer. My breeder requires that when my pup reaches 2 yrs old, I am to do OFA testing. Even tho my pup will not be bred, this information is still valuable to the breeder in tracking her lines and ensuring she is headed in the right direction with her breeding program. She also requires that we stay in contact with her. She wants emails and photos here and there to give her updates on how our pup is doing, what kind of venues we are training for and participating in as well. This too benefits the breeder. She is able to show what her produced pups are accomplishing on her website for any future interested parties to see. She also has a take back policy (which I will personally never need, cuz my dogs stay for life).

A reputable breeder has a reputation to maintain. They need to ensure their pups never end up in rescues or shelters, thus the take back policy. If they are selling a dog to a novice owner for show purposes, it benefits that breeder to have a co-ownership. A novice is simply green to showing and/or breeding and the breeder wants to be part of the decision making process in choosing proper breeding matches, etc... From a novice point of view, I want that mentor. I wouldn't know all I needed to make the right decisions on breeding/showing and to have someone there, willing to guide me thru and tell me when I am wrong is hugely beneficial.

It's not a control freak issue really. It's a good breeder looking to ensure their dogs are well cared for and that owners follow their contracts properly. Ultimately, they are looking out for the pups they produce and that is a good thing.

I hope your answers here help you understand a little more what this is all about and why these good breeders do some things they do.

Answer 3

Sorry, you said breeders only answer this and I'm not, but this is from a potential show pup owner...

I plan on getting a show pup in the future and WANT my breeder to have some control/input. I want the breeder to guide me.They know what are the best judges to show under, which shows are good to enter the pup in, what people to look out for in the ring (yes there are SOME nasty people that would do anything to make you/your dog look bad) and if it ever came down to breeding the breeder would be only one I would have to rely on. I lack the knowledge/experience to make those kind of decisions.

I have kept in touch with my breeder ever since I got my Berner (she is now 3 yrs old) I ask her for all kinds of advice, give her updates on the titles she has won, set her pics etc. She has even come down to watch her in the Obedience ring:)

So, the breeder involvement is something that I would personally want.

Answer 4

If a dog is boing sold on a FULL registration, I ALWAYS co-own it.
All pets go on a LIMITED registration with psay/neter agreement.

No matter how well you screen and know a potential buyer, there can always be problems down the road. The last thing you want is an intact dog of your breeding out there with no control over what happens to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some people are put off by not having "control over their own dog". In that case, they either get a pet quality dog, or find another breeder!!!!!!

Answer 5

With some people that are really striving to save the breed for quality, yes. But a lot of breeders that sell show quality know that the new owners will not go to the same heights as they did with their litters and champs.

Answer 6

yes,yes,yes and yes rescues sometimes do it too,just ask ellen degenerous