Isn't this contradicting? - Page 1

When someone places an ad that states something along the lines of "Retired sport dog, many WUSV famous dogs in pedigree now being sold for your breeding program....blah blah blah"  Then you read a little further about how fantastic the dog is and you're thinking hmmm sounds like a nice dog THEN the last part that just kills it all "NOT A FAMILY DOG".

WHAT???  So you want someone to add this "perfect dog" into their breeding program when you are basically saying it's doesn't have a great temperment you'd place in a home with children?? 

Correct me if I'm wrong but when one is looking to breed isn't always drilled into people's heads that most GSD's wind up in a family environment and if not well balanced, even tempered "family companions" they should not be bred??

I dunno, just thought I'd put that out there cause I see a lot of ads that people are trying to sell stud dogs, or brood bitches that say something along the lines of "not good with kids", "not a family dog"....if they are not trying to send a message that this dog has a nasty disposition then why would they write the ad this way??  Very misleading if that is not the case.

They may mean the dog was a kennel dog and was not brought up around a family. It would be a training issue not a temperament issue then.

There are also alot of higher competition dogs who do not make good family pets!  So, I would say it depends on what you are breeding for.  Police dogs sometimes don't make good family pets either.  Just depends.........

At least they are being honest about the dog.

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

I guess it goes to show you how specific one must be when inquiring about a dog for sale.  If it was a case where the dog was just a kennel dog but had no issues with people, kids  but just wasn't used to living in the house, then that's fine, just say so. lol 

As I understand, that's also a "cover your butt" thing for the seller.

A lot of working dogs haven't had family socialization. It's no slight to their disposition, but it's better to say a dog isn't good with kids, or a dog isn't a family dog if the dog hasn't had experience with such; rather than claim the dog IS a good family dog -- or make no statement either way -- and find out only after a tragedy has occured.

Most dogs readily adapt to household living situations, but I can see how a recently retired working dog would be poorly suited to life with Mom, Dad, and the standard 2.5 children without proper introduction to the chaos of a family household. And unfortunately I can see how a family might want to buy a "winner dog" for bragging rights and puppies, without having any idea of how to help the dog integrate into his new environment.

Agar -- buyers might read: "dog isn't used to living in house" but not understand that means the dog will need extra time and introduction to become a family pet. They might just bring the dog into the house, without ever thinking about the fact that it's a completely foreign environment for the fellow... then when the dog doesn't intuitively have house manners they blame the seller for giving them a bad dog.

jc.carroll- You've got a good point there.  Many people don't think to ask more direct questions to know exactly what they are getting then get irrate after the fact feeling as though the seller failed to disclose info.  I guess if I had a dog for sale that for whatever reason I personally would not trust with my own family I'd list the ad to read "not a family dog".

A few other things to consider.

  As a puppy the dog was selected for his outstanding drives, throughout his life those drives have been encouraged to the extreme.  It would be a shame for a child to lose a finger for picking up a ball.

Also, a dog trained for top sport has generally had a tremendous amount of pressure put on it by the trainer.  I can see someone in a family or a visitor grabbing the dog, and the dog thinking that an ass-kicking is coming probably won't react well to it. 

Right now I know what you are thinking.  Can't a dog be used for sport and be in a family environmet?  Well of course, but that dog was shown both the gas and brake pedals.  Many dogs have only been showed the gas.   

I have females with a wonderful temperament and very social  to adults...but because they have been in my care on here with only adults around them ,,,they do not like children.....so if I advertised one of them to place in a home , after retiring them,,,I would have to say ,,,,Not a family dog......because  they have super temperments that they do pass on to their progheny,,,but because of the environment they have been raised in.....you dont allow them to go to a family...Second reason a dog can be advertised as     not a family dog..."   is that the drives are too high and a child can be hurt , unintentionally,,because of power behind this german shepherd.....highly trained germans have to be in homes with people who know how to control these dogs....a family situation may not work....but that doesnt mean the dog is not a kkl or a kk2 or is of proper evalutaion for breeding...at the age of retirement,,your not selling the dog for  work or breeding , anyway...

You want a dog to be in an adult home where it can live a loving and peaceful, happy life ....if it has been a kennel breeder or a high podium dog...not a family dog....which indicates  not children.....

My working dog is GREAT with my kids..  I dont have to worry at all. My children also understand what to do and not to do with a dog.  There has been many times my daughter has fallen asleep using my dog as a pillow....didnt bother the dog because she was also asleep.

But, I would never send my dog home with someone else with children.  She is great with her family....but doesnt care about other people and does not care for strangers...adults or children.   With time she would warm up to a new family...but I would not trust anyone who did not have the experience needed.

She is a great family dog and just because she wont let a strange five year old run up and play with her does not mean she is not a good dog or not good with children.