buyer bashing - Page 2

Dogs don't end up in Shelters BECAUSE buyers do some pre-purchase research.  
Quite the opposite;  there are surplus GSDs (of all types & temperaments) ending up
in Rescue largely due to the fact that people DON'T do their homework, they just fancy
a GSD, & therefore get one, from whoever will sell them one, without worrying about
whether their lifestyle or what they want from the dog is what is going to work, or be
good for that dog.  Then when it gets too much for them to manage, out it gets hoicked.

Which makes it accidental that 1000s of non-work/sport homes get 'pet quality' dogs that
fit in well and are kept,  because there are also hundreds that do not.  When too much
breeding - particularly indiscriminate breeding - is being done every year, it is no
surprise that a substantial proportion of the breed ends up rejected.  Whether that
be for activity / energy levels, temperament issues, health disorders, or just cos the
owner can no longer be bothered.  Not to mention, there are still some very genuine
and sad reasons for any dog ending up on Rescue.

I don't believe it is 'bashing' potential purchasers to tell them they should be doing
'due diligence' before getting a GSD - they always have the option of buying ( or
adopting ) a dog of some other breed that was actually INTENDED just to be a
household pet.

Buyer bashing - breeder bashing ...Fact is: A dog is a living creature...
Buyer AND breeder have to do their homework.

For me as a German "breeder bashing" is more or less uncommon. we do buy a puppy and it´s our´s.
A healthy pup is fine, a sick one is "shit happens".
A good working dog is great, a bad one is "that´s life".

What I don´t like is the "throw away" mentality a lot of people have.

• Sick dog - dump it
• Too much work  - dump it
• No VA - sell it
• No 300 points - sell it

There are only a few people who really are in need of a special kind of dog ( police, blinds, shepherds, army ), all the others ( including me ) don´t need to sell or dump a dog.
Sorry, but I can´t respect these people.
Why did they buy a dog at all? It´s neither a machine nor a toy.
All my best to LadyFrost, who takes care of the "garbage" of other people.

Buyers need to understand what a GSD is. Many call me and when I ask them to describe the perfect dog, the picture is no where near what a GSD is. Some want 120 lb couch potatoes. Many want completely calm low/no drive pets. Others want yard dogs that will attack anyone that comes close to the fence. Buyers need to research each breed and decide which is most likely to fit into their homes. Most don't want to do any more than a PetSmart training class. Buyers need to research each breeder, to look on boards like this and also check with rip-off and complaint sites. They need to check with the breeder's vet and ask for references, and to see and make sure they understand the guarantees and make sure its signed by both parities.

Breeders must educate buyers, even if it means loosing a sale. Selling a GSD to someone that describes a lab, poodle or other breed perfectly will cause stress to everyone especially the puppy. They need to know good trainers and training clubs in their area and make the list available to the buyer, and strongly encourage buyers to attend class. They need to strongly encourage buyers to socialize their puppies and help them to understand how to properly do this. They need to be available to help their clients thru rough spots as the puppies grow. Selling a pup is just the beginning of what should be a long relationship. Buyers also need to check with buyer's vets and references, including checking local animal control to see if complaints have been made.
 
Its a two way street. We're talking about buying and selling living beings.


 

I myself strive to have dogs that can do both. That is MY goal.
I do have to say I love the fact that I get references from both sides of the fence.
Took me many years to get where I am at. I get several referrals these days from Police.
I also have families that return with other family members. I try to promote sport with people, In fact I offer a free pup as an incentive to anyone that enjoys the breed enough to go out there and get. Title on their dog.
I also guarantee my dogs for life against genetic defects.
If someone gets a dog from me and it has an issue, I will gladly replace their dog....And no,they don't have to return the original.
I will ALWAYS take back a dog I bred, ALWAYS.....
And I am breeding the same bloodlines people are going to the Seiger shows with and the Working trials.
It's really not that hard, IF you. Love the breed, to strive for the best

I myself strive to have dogs that can do both. That is MY goal.
I do have to say I love the fact that I get references from both sides of the fence.
Took me many years to get where I am at. I get several referrals these days from Police.
I also have families that return with other family members. I try to promote sport with people, In fact I offer a free pup as an incentive to anyone that enjoys the breed enough to go out there and get. Title on their dog.
I also guarantee my dogs for life against genetic defects.
If someone gets a dog from me and it has an issue, I will gladly replace their dog....And no,they don't have to return the original.
I will ALWAYS take back a dog I bred, ALWAYS.....
And I am breeding the same bloodlines people are going to the Seiger shows with and the Working trials.
It's really not that hard, IF you. Love the breed, to strive for the best

I think the reason some of the higher drive working dogs can make great pets is simply because they are worked. As everyone says, a tired dog is a good dog. This is where those people seeking an "active companion" are failing. I see so many people say they want a dog for "SAR and sport" yet don't do anything with their dogs. I have many friends myself that would like to have my Dutchie, but they've only seen the end result of her being worked, not what it's like before I work her or let her run off some energy. I have to keep telling them, she's a dog they couldn't handle, even at 45 lbs!

I don't think it's incorrect for a dog to not be able to settle down in the house when it never had the chance to burn off any of its energy to begin with. If people are going to ask breeders for high drive dogs for work, then they should also be ready for the responsibility that goes along with it! Sure it sounds good to say that you want to get into "SAR" but, in reality, how many are actually following through with that? All that time training obedience and tracking in the early mornings while it's raining or snowing? All the time spent making sure the dog can work night or day, rain or snow, below zero or above 100 degrees? My IPO club has about 15 members, there was 3 of us out there yesterday in the cold and wet weather!

"Sure it sounds good to say that you want to get into "SAR" but, in reality, how many are actually following through with that?"
That was a good one - depending on all the "SAR" dog owners in the United States there should be a club at every corner, followed by "service-dog" owners
Fact is: A lot of people are neither able to handle a working dog breed nor are they willing to do so.

KitKat - My kind of (workingline) breeder.
Vkgsd - My kind of discriminating consumer.
PDB - My kind of forum.

 

i thought this thread topic bought out some interesting perspectives, thanks.

vk4gsds, you really do like being a spoon, don't you?     LOL