Co-ownership success? Any hints? - Page 2

 Bob, some of what you suggested falls under my ideas, but I just lumped them all under 'co -ownership' since there's still an obligation (like a litter, etc.) I'm open to all kinds of arrangements. 

I could use the money, for sure, but I hate to have money influence my decisions when it comes to the dogs. 

 Hi Jenni
We and many others do co ownerships, no problem.  It is a way to protect the dog should circumstances change for the physical owner, and to keep your name on an animal to:'
Help promote your dogs/ kennel
Help keep track of the dog
Advertise
Insure the dog comes back to you if something happens to the first owner.

My best advice is to get EVERYTHING in writing.  Especially true of FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL.  This just means if the other party wants to give up the dog for any reason, you have first right of ownership.
Make sure it is spelled out that the dog be in no way altered , unless you agree to it (in writing) or if it is a medical emergency. 
If the dog is returned or put up for sale, etc, it must be with all original paperwork, everything.
Outline who pays for any expenses, feeding , advertising , training, etc.

If there are puppies or stud  services to be shared, state that as well.  Do not leave even the smallest detail to chance. It is better to be redundant than to over look something.
Remember everyone forgets oral agreements, it just happens.
A written agreement, on a co ownership just keeps everything neat and clean.

We do co ownerships all the time, usually name only.
It is a very good way to ensure your dogs get a great home, without overwhelming yourself, but with the safety net that they come back to you if it doesn't work out.

Best regards
Kathy













 

I co-own one dog and it has not been a nightmare.  I got her over 10 years ago when I was just getting involved in the breed and when she was just before two as a show quality and potential breeding quality bitch.  I paid a good chunk of change for her and all the breeder asked was a puppy out of her should I breed her.  She turned out to be dysplastic and so I spayed her.  I guess that might have set off some people but it was a bit of a relief for me becauseby the time the hips came back I had determined that her temperment was not something I would wish to reproduce.  The breeder was apologetic, signed over the papers, and has a standing offer to give me a replacement show quality puppy for free (and consistently reminds me of the standing offer when she has a litter so it was not just an empty promise).

With that said, I doubt I would ever do one again.  Not because I had a bad experience but because I am a control freak and cynic.   Knowing now what I know about the dog world, I can count the amount of people on under two hands who I trust enough to sell an intact dog too let alone get into bed with a co-own on.

I guess if I was in your situation I would consider selling her to someone you trust to do right by her and breed her in a manner that you would choose to do and as part of the sale contract state that you are given first right of refusal on a puppy from a future litter.  If you want to have a say in who and when she is bred to and you can't keep her, than I think you are back to either a "foster" type home or a co-own. 

Good luck with whatever you decide.  I don't envy your situation.  Murphy's law is that when you have the most on your plate, a dog will come along that you would die to have....

When opportunites arise seize them.  Go for it.  Not sure what circumstances you are facing but I like challenge...and you said that things are going to settle for you soon?  Keep her, work her.  As far as the co-own, I have never been down that road yet.  I have had some wierd contracts but no co-owns to date.  Sorry not much help....just some opinion. 

 Thank you both. I appreciate your input. 

Very nice pup Jenni!  If I was looking......... 

I like what psych said here:  "...I guess if I was in your situation I would consider selling her to someone you trust to do right by her and breed her in a manner that you would choose to do and as part of the sale contract state that you are given first right of refusal on a puppy from a future litter..."

I did something similar with a female I had.  Circumstances at the time caused me to have to sell her.   Part of the deal was I would get a puppy from her at a future date if I so desired.    I was never ready for a puppy but I am okay with that.  The buyer reminded me often I had a puppy coming so that was not an issue.  She went to a good home and that was the most important thing to me.

Good luck with her.  Lucky future owner.......

I am in the process of writing out a contract to co-own one of my male pups that I sold.  Don't know how things will work out, it'll be a first for me.  I've gotten mixed opinions on the co-ownership idea, but the majority of them involve female dogs, breeding, litters, etc.  I think that a co-ownership on a breeding female would definately be much more complicated than on a male. 

 Thanks. 

I had someone I almost did this w/a male with, but she has since filled her own plate as well, lol. (you know who you are;-) )

I need to just sell her, probably. I can maybe repeat the litter, but they're not all the same, you know. They are definitely individuals and I hate to get rid of a 'bird in the hand' so to speak. 

Oh, God. Now I'm thinking of that damn Geico  commerical. LOL

co-owns I have done have been simple, verbal contracts.

I have 3 I co-own now.  we keep it simple, and will eventually give puppies back per our aggreement.

my first co-own was on a V SCH3 bitch, I took her, had her bred to a recent import V SCH3 IPO3 male. aggreement was I got pick of the litter, and the breeder took the rest.  well, she had 11 pups, and the breeder was nice enough to give me pick of the litter male and female, she took 7 pups of her pick, then gave me the remaining 2.  all verbal.

I don't suggest unless you really know the person though to have verbal aggreements.  I suggest to have everything in writting because I have had a few terrible co-own experiences, along with my successful ones.  But I was always taught to take someone at their word, unfortunately there's alot of very dishonest people out there.  I've had to learn that the hard way.  I will only work with a small select few now.

co-owns on males, if she sends a stud fee my way, she gets the fee, if I have a stud fee, I get the money (we both have to aggree on the outside bitches though), and we allow both our bitches to breed to him at no cost.

my co-owns on females, we either give pick pup back from 1 or 2 litters, or we split 1/2 the first litter.  I have done quite a few things while co-owning females.  the best thing is to just be honest with each other.