please help me to reassure husband - Page 2

I'm not a breeder, but here goes... I certainly don't see anything "wrong" with your girl's pedigree - she's out of two V-rated, Kkl 1 and Schutzhund-titled dogs with the sire rated V-27 at a World Sieger Show. Just because neither parent is VA-rated doesn't automatically make them junk by any stretch. So I don't think that's the issue. Conformation-wise, it's impossible for anyone to comment without a photo, and even with a photo I would think anyone really knowledgeable (not me!) would want to see her for themselves before commenting - so that issue remains open. What does seem to be an issue is that you haven't said that your bitch has a show rating, was Kkl'd, or Schutzhund titled, or that you've been working toward those qualifications. If not, then she hasn't been and/or won't ever be properly "assessed" as breed-worthy. And without those credentials, as maligator said you basically would be stuck with dumping the pups through the local newspaper for $500, which, leaving aside your concerns about what would happen to the pups, greatly increases your financial risk and makes breeding her for profit much less of a "sure thing." So that's the approach I would take to convince hubby that you shouldn't breed her and go ahead with spaying. If it's the idea of producing a pup from her to keep that has your husband keen on breeding her, then the thing to do is to buy one.

Thanks to all.  I took a printout of this thread and had a long talk with husband. I showed him one GSD rescue sight that had two puppies. One had exactly the same goofy, happy go lucky expression as ours. When he saw that puppy in a shelter and this thread it was enough to reassure him that we were, indeed, making the right decision. He still doesn't "get" the titles thing, but, like I said, he leaves dog things to me. None of it was about the money for him. Just wanted a "replica" of Remmy.

I was going to go through with it regardless. At least now he'll be fully on board with it.

Thanks again,

dawg

Have to agree with P59, nothing wrong with the pedigree if that is what you like. May not have as many big name dogs in there as some other pedigrees, but big names and big titles do not automatically make a better dog. You must have liked the ped when you bought her. Her brother is a very nice male. Looking at her parents, her ped and line breeding, and her bro, she cannot be all that bad structurally either. Regardless of that, if dog or ped are good or bad, there are lots of siblings from top rated dogs that live the life of a couch ornament or frolic on a farm somewhere. Opions differ, especially about dogs. That does not mean the dog that does not match personal taste is not a good dog. Just lines/dogs that a different person may not care so much about. So be careful whose advice you follow, what their own preferences are and what their motives are. I know there are a lot of people thinking about the same issues though, if a good dog might be going to waste by not breeding it. Breeding is also being behind what you have. If you are that easily influenced by other peoples opinions, then you are not yet ready to breed anyways. Breeding is also not producing replicas of the dogs we have. Try cloning for that one :o). I know, he does not want the exact same thing, but he was thinking about somehow holding on to a great dog that will not live as long as he would like, so he wants to let her live on through her offspring. Lots of people have these thoughts. If Hubby wants something out of similar lines later, keep in touch with the breeder, he is already continuing the lines. So if that was Hubbys main motive for breeding, someone is already doing it for him and he will always have access to that later.

DH-I'm not easily influenced by other people's opinions. I was going to get her fixed regardless.  But I preferred to put his misgivings to rest first if possible.

As far as the pedigree goes, I've had more than one person say this. Your right. That doesn't make it true just because they said it.  I don't think, in the long run it matters though, as I won't be perpetuating he lines. I don't think factoring in two well known breeders opinions makes me weak minded or inferior.  I don't think, in the long run it matters though, as I won't be perpetuating he lines.

I'll be totally honest, I didn't have a clue about pedigree when I bought her.  I did every misstep a person could.  I certainly meant no disrespect to her breeders who could burp more information than I posses about breeding.  I hope it's obvious by my posts and our private correspondence that I am impressed as hell with her as a dog. And what a great idea to tell him we can always get another with similar bloodlines. For me this is good to keep in mind too.

But, for me (and now my husband) it comes down to puppy placement.  It would make me insane wondering what happeded to them when they left my hands. I didn't expect to be reproved, especially on this board, for not choosing to breed. And I have no intention of going through Sch training with her for personal reasons, therefore no Sch titles, KKL, etc..

But, I do appreciate the overall suggestions you gave.

Dawg

OOps! In the process of editing that it came out with duplications and different wording than I meant to end up with.  No offence intended.

Dawg

I meant no disrespect regarding being influenced. It happens and what is being said does stick somewhere, often without realizing it. With the dogs it tends to stick more because it is so very personal. We love our dogs and criticism of any sort is not something that is brushed off easily. No one is immune to that. Not if they love or are at least passionate about their dogs... And I am not saying you should or should not breed. No pedigree is that special that a dog must be bred just because of it, no pedigree is so bad that a dog cannot be bred because of it. The seed for that thought of possibly breeding has been planted though, be assured, next time it gets sun and water it will sprout up again. Don't think that just because you are spaying this female now the issue is done. Might take a few years, but after the first thought crops up, its often hard to keep burried. Comments from well known breeders, there you have it. They follow their lines and their preferences. Applies to me to. To everyone. Could this be competition? Lots of reasons for likes or dislikes. There are lots of people out there who will tell you that the Sieger dog is cr*p, does not deserve the title, his lines are cr*p too, he should not be bred, and so on. Nohhhh, we don't want him neutered because of that :o). I think the greatest compliment to Remmy's breeder is how much you like her and that she is working out great for you. Who cares about what others think then. And if one day you might take the step and breed, you have enough time to contemplate all issues surrounding that til then. With more education comes security and hopefully some wisdom and then breeding can actually be a very joyful and rewarding experience. Dogs that end up tied to trees do not come for those type of breeders. The first litter is always very frightening and should not be rushed into. If you do it right, you may well get a nice message out of the blue from a puppy owner many years after that puppy left your home, and it is one of those little golden moments that is priceless. Even if you get a message that a dog you placed as an adult suddenly had to be put down several years later now and the owner thanks you for the great dog they got to enjoy during these years, it makes it all worth while. Made for a good week. But all circumstances have to be right for you to take that step otherwise you will miss out on these kinds of rewards. Make sense?

Yeah, it does. Thanks. I don't know if I'll ever really be up for it.  But, I know I will NEVER be without a GSD if I can help it. And, hopefully, they'll all be as great as her.

In my experience, the best way to get to the husband's sense of reality is straight through the wallet. Remind him that if something goes wrong and the apple of his eye needs an Emergency C-section in the middle of the night he can figure to shell out about $2500. and may lose the female and all the pups despite any heroic efforts. BTW: You may NOT mention this to MY husband! ;))) Shelley

Why not tell him that your dog could quite possible have a litter of 10 puppies and that he needs to be prepared to take in every one of them if they are returned for whatever reason. Do you think he is ready for that??