question - Page 10

IMO sending a dog back for friendly ears is every bit as dumb as sending one back to get a dog to match the carpet or any other stupid excuse.  What is wrong with people? Do they think they are buying kitchen appliances?

Hell, I've had people ask me both of these dogs were GSD-mixes....

The only reason I wouldn't get that question with a WL sable around here is because the people are used to seeing the local K9s.

Blitzen, yes. They do think they are buying appliances. And when they get bored with them, or they become too time-consuming to work with, they get rid of them and get a different model. It sickens me, and it's why I'll never breed anything save for food animals for the remainder of my lifetime.

Hexe, I remember when you got one of those coated females and why she was available. I wonder how many like her never have a happy ending as yours did? I used to cringe every time I saw a puppy ad from that breeder. Grrrrrrr..........

The one with the Orbee ball in her mouth was my girl from Wynn Strickland; the other is my present girl, and yes, I also wonder how the one or two who came after her fared, before her former owner settled on the ones she currently owns. The young woman has her third litter due shortly, as a matter of fact--but I have to give credit where it's due, her breeding females are titled, surveyed & health certs done, and she's using males with equal or better credentials, and she DOES actively train & show her dogs, and owner/handler titled her working line brood bitch from a young pup. IIRC, had I not immediately driven from MI to New England and back all in the course of a weekend, my girl was going to be sold to a breeding kennel somewhere in the Midwest, but it didn't sound like a place I'd want to send a dog of mine, and there was something in this dog's face that wouldn't let me allow that to happen. I've never regretted it, though I wasn't thrilled with the 'fire-sale' sort of feel that surrounded the situation with my bitch and the male that was her kennel mate, but both landed in forever homes, and I'm not going to hold the actions of a 17-18 year old girl against her. From what I've seen and heard, she's doing things responsibly and ethically as an adult, and no one can ask for more than that.

Many people think Esca is a mixed breed because, you know, GSDs aren't supposed to be BLACK!

This is why bite stats are so skewed. The general public has no clue what breed they are looking at. Try walking down the street with an Alaskan Malamute. I guarantee you that 99% of the people will cross the street to avoid the "wolf". Every short coated dog with a big head has to be a pitbull and everyone knows that they eat babies for breakfast. Been bitten by a black and tan stray? Had to have been a GSD.

Keep your dogs safe and out of the reach of the idiot public. Look but don't touch is what I always say.

Sunsilver

That is a perfect picture. I would put that on my wall.

Joan I think you did the best thing by getting the pup back. It was the best for the pup. I could give a crap about the man or what he says. He should own a cockroach farm. I have more breedings of GSD in my future but would not sell any puppies.

I still worry about my 1 litter, all but 1 of my puppy people keep me updated with pictures, the 1 pup was still with his family at 4 years, then they moved, & haven't kept in touch. His owners were pretty infatuated with him, & I'm the second number to call on his microchip, so I am hopeful that he is still okay. I have remained friendly with everyone else...I just feel like I'm stalking if I try to find these folks, for no other reason than to check up on their dog? At what point do you let go? 

jackie harris

Jackie, in answer to your last question:

Never. You never really let go, not after they've been in your care. At least not if your heart is in it. I'd still be busy trying to find the one I'd lost track of, just to drop them a pleasant little card to remind them that I will always be interested in how their dog was doing, and show them pictures of his littermates and such.

Then again, I am a tad obsessive.