Question on Co-Ownership - Page 1

I was approached by a breeder/kennel about co-ownership of one of her dogs.  We were originally going to get a puppy. 

I would like some opinions on this.  The dog is 6 years old.  She is Nancy von Salerno.  The agreement would be that we take the dog for $500.00 as co-ownership with the agreement of taking her back to the breeder when she goes into "heat."  We then would take the dog back, whelp, raise the puppies until they are 8 weeks old.  Once the puppies are 8 weeks old the breeder gets all puppies with us getting 1 puppy from the litter, but if Nancy has only 1 puppy then the breeder gets the puppy.  Is this a fair deal?  We would get no money from the sale of the puppies even though we are co-owning.  We would just get to keep 1 puppy.

Thanks,
Kari

I forgot to add that once Nancy has her litter then she would be signed over to us as our dog with no more co-ownership.

Get everything in very detailed contract wording. Many people will tell you this is bad ideal but some people have had co-ownership's successfully. After all is done do you get full registration on dam and the pup? Don't leave anything to chance and this will keep both you and the breeder on good terms.

FIrst question is do you know much about the dam? Make sure she is one you want to have since you will have her for the rest of her life hopefully.

FInd out what her previous litter sizes have been. Likely she will have more than one pup. Be very detailed over who/how the decision is made on which pup you get to keep. Who pays the vet bills, food etc;  be very detailed.

In closing just be straight and upfront and don't assume anything and your chances go way up to be a good relationship.

Do you know much about the breeder?

 Ask them to put everything in writing and then take it to a lawyer who understands these thing for review before you decide. Too many things can go wrong. For example, what happens if the dogs dies or gets ill while you have her? Who pays the vet bills? The list could go on and on. I think it's risky especially if you don't know the people very well. These things can sound good but benefit the owner much more than the co-owner, of course it depends on the situation. The bitch is 6 yrs old....

You were approached by them, if you had approached them with full knowledge of the bitch I believe your chances of success would be higher.

  Why is a 6 year old bitch being sold to breed this late in life /..I quit breeding mine at 7 so kinda late isnt it...why do you want a 6 year old female....ask Tammy Jo what happens to buying an older dog....fine if you are not breeding...that is a lot of responsibility for a 6 years old...Is this her first litter or has she had other litters.?????

I would say no ...partnerships and co ownerships always end up in a battle and loss of friendships.....I co own all  my dogs with my sister,,my daughter and my son....and one othe outsider...this is only in case I end up dead      doa.....only  Im in full controll of all dogs ,,,unless I cant talk , walk or nod  my head...

First thing I want to say is thank you and your family for the sacfrices ya'll have made defending our country. My family wishes your's the very best and always know we are very proud of our men and women in Uniform.

Is this the Von Salerno kennel?  

One important thing to remember is that for someone wanting to get a high level Show GSD an co-ownership can provide an opportunity to get one without the high expense. Plus nothing wrong with giving an older girl a nice retirement home. Just make she she has good temperment and fits in well with all members of your family especially children.

 I personally believe co-ownerships are a bad idea, especially if you are new to the breed or to dog arrangements. That being said, who gives a hang what we think? It should be what you think is or is not fair. If YOU agree to terms, then make sure it is all clearly spelled out. For example, what happens should the dog end up loosing the litter and having to be spayed, or worse yet, she dies? There are many, many contingencies in life and so it is with dogs and dog deals. It is impossible to predict them all even if you use your brain and are experienced. This is one reason why I suggest people not enter into such arrangements. If you want a pup, buy one. Period. If you want an older female, there are plenty on the market and probably some decent ones in your local shelter. So it all depends on where you are headed. If you are just one more person wanting to get into breeding, perhaps there is a lot more to learn about the dogs, breeding, training, titling, showing, etc., before you should even consider that. If you want a pet, what kind of pet do you expect? I could go on and on, but hopefully, you understand the points being made.

Good luck.

High Level show Gsd with a co ownership is great as long as it doesnt require the breeding issue.....

It is a good oportunity ,,just want to warn about the reprocussions.....read all the posts on this site about break down in communications   when co owning or even purchasing   like the   Drago post...kinda off the wall but still a contract with a lot of things still not known and why someone took back a dog....that a lot of people think she was ok to deal with....

It can happen,.,,Von Salerno has a good rep .if that is who you are dealing with....Just dot all the i's and cross all the t's and make sure your new family member cannot one day just disappear back to the breeder.......

I just heard of a case here in Texas today....because the new owner in the co -owner ship took the pup to a vet without the breeder co owner knowing ,,she threatened to take the dog back...got and is in a reall messy arguing back and forth stand right now....the dog had terrible diahrea and had to be gotten to the vet  ,,not wait for a call back from someone you dont know when you will hear from.......so these co own things can go wrong  some are good ....be careful.

 I think it sounds like a fair enough deal if you really like the dam.  I would ask for at least second pick puppy though, because you wouldn't want to not have any choice and get runt of the litter.

But yeah definitely get the clearest contract possible with signatures.

If it is fair or not depends on the fair market value of the bitch and one puppy.  Is she highly titled in work or show?  What did her previous pups sell for? What are the titles of the sire, and how much is his stud fee?  Whelping out pups can be fairly expensive if veterinarian help ends up being required.  You will probably be required to do a pre-whelping and post-whelping xray to be sure the litter is all born, and there are none left in the bitch. 

Figure up the time you will spend on the litter, assign a fair value to your labor yourself, and then see if you think it is going to be worth it.  And I agree with Bluegirl....ask for second pick pup, so you get what you would like to have and not what is left over. 

If this bitch is not special and a dog you would like to have, save your money and just buy a pup.  

Veronica