I had one guy call a few weeks ago looking for a shorthair pup. At first he seemed really good. Had just lost two shorthairs in the last year, missed them terribly, had had them a long time, etc. Well as the conversation progressed it turned out both dogs had been hit by something (I think one was hit by a tractor and the other a car). Anyway, he did not have a fences yard and let them roam. In addition he was looking for a male and female (red lights went off with this one), and had already found the male and picking the male up that weekend. When asked what he was going to do with his dogs (I am thinking hunting), he responded breed them and sell high quality pet puppies. He then became pushy about wanting the pup and got mad when I told him I would not sell him a pup. Thankfully that is just one end of the spectrum of buyers.

If you want to breed your dog, by all means go ahead and try. But I for one am sick and tired of fielding the phone calls from puppy buyers that have issues with their BYB puppies. If you are going to stud out your dog, you better be prepared to answer questions that puppy buyers have. I'm sorry, but a well bred GSP should be able to live in the house, not destroy things, be able to be potty trained, not bark...And if there is an issue, with training or health or temperament, you as the stud dog owner need to be there to help (as well as the person stupid enough to breed to a non registered, non health tested, non proven stud dog)

That being said, I feel my litters are successful when I get the constant emails, phone calls and pictures from the loving pet homes i have placed my puppies with. (carefully screened of course) I may be a show person these days, but I started as a pet person. I would much rather see my puppies laying on their owners beds than chained to tie out. I just took a puppy back from a "show home" under weight, no muscle, vaginitis so bad, she was terrified, could barely walk... Bottom line on this is for those of you that breed that will not sell to a pet only home, your puppies are missing out. Trust me, my "pet" GSPs were show CH and MH in their own minds and in my back yard and the fields we ran.

I think I have done my ranting for now!

I sell no puppies as pets only.  I know there are great homes out there, but I will not make that judgement...Many Shorthairs are alot to handle for the average person wanting a pet to lay around the house or yard...Too many stories for me about dogs ending up at a bad end for ignorant people that believe dogs are disposable...One person that I spoke to was taking a Shorthair to the pound because the dog she had for 4 years ate the cookies she had made to send to her son overseas....At least if I screen people that do field work I feel like the dog is getting out and pursueing what the dog was actually bred for, and many bad situations can be avoided if the dog is getting excersize regularly from someone that uderstand what this breed is about....JMO from being in the breed for 30 years.... 

Rebecca - you are not the typical pet home. Your dogs DO hunt in that they are outside hiking and exploring with you all the time, and you do provide opportunities for them to find game, point, etc. To me just because you don't shoot what they find doesn't make you a non-hunting home to me.

My two cents anyway. You are a good example of the ONLY type of "pet" home I will consider - one that knows and loves the breed and provides them a job and outlet for their energy.

Jean

I have one pup that I did place in a non hunting home but they are the exception.  They are very active and they knew what they were getting into when they were looking for a GSP.  I also have two pups I'm still looking to place, these two boys have energy to burn and are bird crazy and would drive the average dog owner crazy.  I love the breed, I love the energy but they are not for everyone.

I turned down two pet homes because I knew when talking to them they weren't right and both were pretty mad.  Both got GSP's from other breeders and both pups ended up in rescue. One of them actually called and asked if I would take the pup or they were taking it to the pound, which I did.  They had her for 7 months and didn't know how to deal with the energy so they kept her crated, she was a mental mess.  I fostered the pup for a short time until anther foster home opened up.  

Puppies are cute and a lot of fun but they are also a lot of work. If you aren't willing to put out the effort to find the right home then don't do it. 

Agree with Jean here....If someone does what you do it is not a typical "pet" home....But, a large reason why I do not sell to pet homes is that Rick and I have spent 30 years breeding dogs to produce a dog with the attributes to be a fine birddog....As I know a dog can have a great life without birds, I feel they have a MUCH BETTER life "with" birds... So, at this point in my life I feel it is a waste of our precious time and knowledge to sell a pup to sit in the yard doing very little.

 

Personally I have a lot of respect for any breeder that is breeding with a purpose and has requirements on where they place their pups.  They know what they are breeding for and where their dogs best fit and have every right to say where their pups should go, whether we agree or not. 

I have no respect for anyone breeding just because they can and then selling pups to anyone willing to hand them cash.  Those are the dogs that have the best chance of ending up in rescue.

Everyone has their own opinion on what they like and want.  The breeder knows their line the best.  Anyone looking for a pup, (GSP or any breed) needs to find a breeder they can work with and is breeding the qualities they want. 

Someone I agree with! The point that was missed in my post was "carefully screened" pet  homes. Just because they arent out doing the field trial circuit doesnt mean they cant have a pet that they spend lots of time in the field with! I have had this breed for 40 years (ouch really??). Even though i do not hunt on a regular basis, my dogs get their "field time". I live in the city and it is a bit more difficult. I have a pool in my yard for them to swim, plus plenty of wildlife enters my yard. I have agility obsticles in my yard too. They do require work and mental stimulation is a must. i'd like anyone to try and say my dogs are not in shape and not happy! Leave my gate open and see where they go! either the back door begging to get in or they dont leave the yard at all.

Bottom line, i think most of us agree that breeding is not a money making venture, not if it is done the right way. Genetic testing needs to be done before breeding. Although not a 100% guarantee, it helps. Breed to better the breed, not just because they are pretty or you want your kids to experience the miracle of life ect ect ect

done rambling....