How many times does THIS happen? - Page 1

In my brief time on the PDB I have seen people searching for the perfect dog and then feeling scammed or disappointed. I personally have never seen the opposite transpire: someone ending up with a dog that "should have gone to a professional" and not a pet owner.

My question is related to what you would tell a dog owner in the following situation. And one can only speculate about what the intentions of the breeders although one appeared to show some interest in taking the dog.

As this refers to an actual event, I can't be too specific. The dog's owner (very naive to the show dog world) purchased the dog in question as a puppy from a local hobby breeder. It was the only puppy available and it was described as possibly having some show potential but nevertheless the least desirable. As it turns out, the dog develops into a very nice show dog that is way beyond the abilities of the owner to bring to full potential. And breeders in the area make no bones of telling this person that this dog should have gone to a professional. Just to be more specific, the dog is a fully developed adult. Other dogs his age would already be titled and be close to the age of being retired from show/sport.

You can imagine that it would be unpleasant for a pet owner to be told that the dog he has raised for several years, put time and effort and emotional energy into, and developed a strong bond with is, in effect, too good for him.

As for the breeders, what would be their agenda? Is this just a way of making quick cash? (Flipping a dog - re-selling it for much more to someone who can afford to overpay and get a pricey, pretty dog to show off to their friends.)

I certainly agree it can be a money thing, yes.
I personally would love for my rockstar puppies to go to rockstar trainers, but will not deny a sale to a less experienced person as long as fit my criteria for puppy buyers. I am more than ok with a less experienced person getting a very nice pup if they gumption to get out and train, and provide the dog with an excellent life. Yes it would be nice for pros to work up my pups, but for me, the dog's overall well being is 1st.

"You can imagine that it would be unpleasant for a pet owner to be told that the dog he has raised for several years, put time and effort and emotional energy into, and developed a strong bond with is, in effect, too good for him."
This "pet owner" should be proud of his dog, it´s an accomplishment, and not care about it further on.
"Too good for him" simply says that the breeder is unhappy, that this dog wasn´t developed within the SV or AKC circuit. A breeder wants to be proud of his stock, and show/trial titles are important for any "involved" breeder.
I wouldn´t care - I heard this statement too often.

I think there might be an element of all these other breeders
saying it just to make themselves look like good experts !
Susie is right, the owner should just be proud of what they and
the dog have achieved, and shrug these remarks off.

The owner is quite fond of this dog, and has attempted to do some novice conf showing with mixed results often due to inexpert handling. I would rather see someone go out, make a sincere effort and continue working despite the gaffes and embarrassment. Many prefer to live a fantasy life in front of a computer screen where they do nothing and risk nothing while their dog sleeps all day under the table getting fat on Milk Bones.

A lot of us dream of finding that little star, a diamond in the rough that we can polish. It is ironic to end up with something truly special as a result of someone else's cockeyed mistake, and then have people expect you to feel ashamed of it.

I am not a "pet owner" I don't think (I've titled four GSDs all in multiple venues, one dog has over 35 titles), but I've felt that ALL of my GSDs had the potential to be better than they are/were at my handling. Many times in hindsight I've made mistakes or not been patient enough or have not been able to follow through with the time/money commitments necessary to title and compete with my dogs at the level of their true potential. Maybe I don't really understand the question, but I would think that in MOST cases, a dog always has more potential than what the owner/handler demonstrates, even most pet dogs. That is what I love about dogs, and specifically GSDs. I know someone who is a trainer (that is his/her livelihood) and has also titled dogs in many venues and just entered a 10 year old dog in the dog's first competition ever and the dog LOVED it, really fun to watch.

The:thing that matters the most to a good breeder is that the puppy they're selling is going to a home that will love and cherish that dog for the whole of his or her lifetime--the showing & titling are icing on the cake. Pups purchased as show or working "prospects" very often don't mature according to the buyer's preconceived notions, and when that happens it can cost that pup it's home...better a pet buyer gets a higher quality pup than they expected than a "prospect" buyer get whatt they feel is a lesser pup than they bargained for, IMO.

Who does titles and ribbons make happy ... certainly not the dog. Plenty of happy mutts and plenty of miserable "high achieving" dogs with ribbons, plastic trophies and silverware. If the dog is happy and has a good life with lots of love and a happy home and a situation that suits the dog's personality and drives any experienced breeder would be overjoyed with that outcome. Money, fame, and titles are important only to humans. Every dog has a unique tool set and personality and their forced competition and achievement in some human designed game such as as agility or IPO does not make the dog a better dog overall nor does it mean the dog has a happy life. Some of the AKC dog breed champions are neither healthy or happy dogs and for that matter neither are some of their owners and trainers.

I enjoy training and titling my dogs in both AKC and SV venues. IMO, in today's world, a GSD should be able to qualify in both venues. My AKC breed champion is a very happy and healthy dog with AKC titles and a BH and AD. I'm over 70 and can still double at SV shows and make it around the AKC ring. If you don't want to train and title your GSD's, that's your decision, but don't dimish the efforts by those who do think it's important.

The question was as I understood it how often do people get dogs that have qualities and capabilities that are not fully realized?? My answer is usually if not always. The happiness of the dog has nothing to do with titles, ribbons, trophies and championships. The dog wants first and foremost to be accepted as a part of a family be they dogs, humans, or both. Good food is nice. Plenty of exercise and play opportunities with other dogs and humans is a wonderful life for the dog. Good health and health care makes the dog's life longer and more fun. I am confident that dogs never worry about the title they did not get or the championship they did not win. If people want to compete and title and win ribbons that is their choice but it is not what the dog wants or needs. If titles and championships were indicative of quality and intelligence then Tom Brady would be President and Peyton Manning would be Secretary of State. Just don't confuse the goals and happiness of the owner of the dog with the dog's best interest or happiness as they are usually not the same.