Sold as pets, which ones fair better? - Page 1

The recent threads about re-homing, and the many, many threads about working vs show lines, have me wondering the difference in the two lines, and their after effects.

If the buyers of puppies get a working line pup, for no intention of ever training the dog, or if they get it with the intention of training it but never get around to it for whatever reason, is that pup (now a dog) more likely to end up in a shelter, than the same situation with a show line pup?

Another way to put it, I guess:  Would a show line pup be more inclined to accept the role of a family pet, than a working line pup?

I will jump ahead and assume that the answer to both is yes.  Then, could I assume that if someone who is a first time potential owner of a GSD comes to "you" and says they love the looks of a GSD, was in love with Rin Tin Tin and his like, and wants to get one and may decide to participate in Schutzhund as it looks fun.  Would you steer them towards a show line, working line or shelter dog that looks like a GSD?  OR, would you sell them one of your pups, no matter whcih type you have? (I don't really expect anyone to pick this option)

I have left out the so-called American lines, so that this thread does not become a bashing party (although it probably will anyway )

I try to match the individual dog with the potential buyer, regardless of pedigree/bloodline. If I don't have a pup I think suits a particular buyer, I recommend they either wait till I have one that suits them or refer them to someone I trust and believe might have one available. I could hope others would do the same, referring buyers to me, but most don't believe in that kind of reciprocation, more's the pity.

I can hardly WAIT till I have space in the kennel to rescue some of the wonderful dogs in shelters, love 'em up, shine 'em up, put a little obedience on them, and re-home them. I dream of taking some of the super working dogs dumped in shelters when their owners can't handle them and making k9's out of them. Dog gets a great home and a job, under-financed departments get a great dog for nothing or nearly nothing, and the communities benefit from a reduction in drug traffic. Win-win-win!

SS

Obviously a high energy, high drive working dog is going to be more frustrated and most definitely do more damage. And yes it is true - I have NEVER seen a show "Rin Tin Tin" GSD with perfect pigment at a shelter needing a home...sadly, only working lines and American (sorry). I strongly believe each home needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. If a GSD has a job and a purpose along with a loving home, it will be happy....whether that be Schutzhund or chasing rabbits out of the farmer's garden on a daily basis. I do believe that all well-bred GSDs will have a tendency to develop issues (be it chewing on couches LOL, or different types of nervous issues or crazy little habits or animal/vacuum aggressions LOL, etc.) if they are left to themselves with no purpose or job and no training and loving human interaction. I would never sell a high drive working SchH dog to a buyer that has never had anything to do with the sport. There would definitely have to be some stipulations to that type dog purchase if the dog is obviously showing signs of being able to compete at a high level of SchH. IMO, NOONE should be able to purchase this type of GSD without the background to handle it OR some consistent mentoring from someone who has the background. Either way, it really needs to have followup from the breeder to make sure that is the case.

AMEN, Shelley!! Those dogs are soooooo amazing and full of life and love and willing to do anything for their master!

GSDLVR-  This is exactly why I still have two pups from my last litter, now 4.5 months old, when I only intended to keep one. Sooner or later the "right" home comes along, and I am comfortable placing my top sport prospects, if only after I have put in the time to civilize them and allow them to grow out of the renegade puppy stages myself. I call that the "My Fair Lady" process.
Although I AM a professional, no mistake there, I don't think for a second that God gave me whatever talent I may have just to make the almighty dollar. One scan of Petfinder should be enough to break any true lover of the breed's heart into a million pieces within minutes. Fortunately, rescue organizations are very strong in this area, so most are rescued and fostered well before the Dr. shows up with the big red syringe, and the org's have an excellent placement rate. I do expect to get some oppostion from rescue groups because I will not be promising my own to be the permanent home for the dogs, but hope that they will trust me to do the best thing for any dog I adopt after the first few successful placements. I just wish I had more money to donate to the fine rescue org's NOW.

SS

SS: I commend you for several things in your postings, and I don't need to point them out.  They are self evident.  I too, do rescue and placement, as much as time, money and space will allow.  Recently did a Greyhound that just "showed up" out of my woods, and nobody was looking for it, according to all of the authorities here.  I still have three dogs here that I got from kill shelters, that the shelter operator that knows me, called and said that someone really needed to take this dog or that dog as they were wonderful.  She was right.  Just haven't been able to find the "right" homes for them.  I'm probably just too picky.

I wish I could do more.  I have checked out several others that I decided to not get, because of space and such, and they haunt me at times.  They are gone.  One large mixed breed (huge), was a beautiful red male, but he was aggressive thru the cage fencing, so I decided to not post his bail.  It has been two years and I still see the longing for affection in his eyes.  He just needed someone to "try" and I didn't, and neither did anyone else.  I regret to this day, not rescueing him, but then, there are many, many more with those same eyes.  Those eyes can say so much if you aren't looking at the other things going on, such as growling, hiding or jumping up.  They say the eyes are the windows into the soul and I don;'t mean to give an actual soul (in the religious aspect) to dogs, but their eyes do speak volumes.  And, they do haunt.

Reminds me of the thread with the pictures of those dogs for sale in the Phillipines and Chinese markets, for sale for food. 

Now I'm depressed again.  Back to the topic.

If I had working line pups for sale and someone came to me stating that they wanted to get a pup and someday they were going to "get into Schutzhund", I don't think I could sell to them.  But, I do understand that everyone has to start somewhere, sometime.  Tough decision.  Especially if the pups aren't moving quickly, and the bills are due.  But, that is no excuse really.  Yep.  Tough decisions when you have pups for sale.

uhh oohh...sounds like yall dont think i should have boss....but no worries, i understand...i have said on here before that i feel guilty now knowing his potential, knowing it is something he would love...but not being able to do it myself.....but its to late to worry about those things now....all i can do is make sure he gets plenty of excercise, even if there is no title he does get jobs to do....we play "track' in the yard...among other things....also he gets tons of love and would never go to a shelter....if his energy is driving me crazy, i always see it as my fault---means im not doing enough....time to go for a walk, throw the ball around some....or brush up on the little OB that i can do myself.....his energy actualy is perfect for my kids, all the other dog have always pooped out before them!..lol...they will say.."im tired"  with boss still begging them to throw the ball....

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about rescue dogs. With  little training, love and patience they can become so much more.

I have witnessed perfectly pigmented blk/reds in the pound not even a rescue. That was the day I brought home my ugly 1/2 dead sable. I figured the perfect blk/red boy would find a taker. My boy was too weak to stand had kennel cough and was just plain ugly. I had to wrestle the kennel cough meds away from the shelter. Stingy bastards already had the meds but didn't want them going to the dog. My boy was so bad off they let me take him home and waived the neutering until he was healthier.

I was anti breeder for many years after owning both pedigree and pound dogs. The pound puppies were always the better dogs, so why pay more? I hated the thought of people breeding more when there are so many in need. I came to realize though that someone needs to breed to the standard and I may as well support those breeders.

My wife and I went to the local shelter last year, on one of our many trips to take them blankets and bleach.  They had a medium sized black and white Great Dane male they had just taken in, and he was in really bad shape.  The story was that the only food he had been able to get for a long time, was whatever the cows were being fed and their feces.  Anyway, the lady running the shelter said that the vet had stated that an expensive operation was needed for this or that medical problem (I forget the exact problem/s now) and the shelter operator was "on the fence" as too whether or not to spend the funds needed for this particular dog, and that the vet stated it may not save his life "anyway".  I told the shelter operator to have the operation done and I would pay for it (those eyes again), and I went to the vets office and told him that I would pay whatever the costs for this dogs care came to, to get him in condition to be "homed".  This poor dog, "Buddy" never made it to the operation table.  He died that night.

Just one of many poor souls who died needlessly, from the care, or lack thereof, of an uncaring human.

Again, those eyes sometimes creep into my mind and remind me of what "could have been".

I hate going to the shelters anymore, but sometimes can't stop myself, because of what "could be".

Do Right, that was so sweet of you to have offered to pay for the cruelty another caused that poor animal.  You've got a big heart.  Touching but sad outcome to the story.  I was hoping you were gonna end it with the dog got well, found a loving home with a family, kids and was living in a lap of luxury like he probably deserved.  I can't go to shelters anymore myself personally.  It breaks my heart and I want to take them all in.  My kids are the same way.  They're not partial to dogs either; hell we even had a $30 guinee pig that wound up costing me close to $300 in vet bills only to find out he had an injury that left his back legs paralyzed and would cost me $50 a mo in meds to keep him alive.  When I saw the look on my kids faces I was ready to say go ahead to the vet but the poor little guy never made it out of the office.  I can't see animals suffering.