Is it considered bad form to view a number of different stud dogs before deciding which one you want to use?  I've seen several but one owner in particular has assumed that because I've made an appointment to view him, I am going to be using him.  Just wondered what others (especially stud owners) thoughts were.

No its is GOOD practice to view as many as you can IMO.  Shame on the owner who assumes you are going to use their.  I had that, I enquired about one and didnt use it and the owners have never spoken to me since.  See as many as you can and dont be forced into anything x

Is he shown? I think most people go to shows and see dogs they like, see what they have sired and get talking to people :-)

Thanks, don't get me wrong it was a lovely dog and I haven't discounted it, but just wondered if it was the norm.  These aren't show dogs so I can't just go along to watch I really need to make an appointment with the owner.

Just because a dog is 'shown' and wins does not mean he is any good.  There are many many dogs out there who are not shown yet have the relevant health tests and also meet the breed standard (you would need a trained eye to tell you if the dog was good enough) but do not be swayed by a dog being 'good enough' because he has been shown or won.  Afterall this can be biased.

Sorry,I should have been more clear, I'm not looking at show dogs but working dogs.  These dogs don't compete in working tests during the summer and the trialling season is not yet upon us and are not easy to get to anyway, even if you know where and when they are running. 

Foofoo, I am fully aware that showing is not the be all and end all of selecting a stud, but it IS useful if that is what you are looking for. In this instance the OP is looking for a working dog.

I've never really kept stud dogs but from my experience of many others who do - it would seem that those who need (or enjoy) the money most, get the most annoyed if you don't choose their dog.

To be honest I would have thought you would have viewed the dogs at shows, or working events, and arranging to see one at home, unless already explained otherwise would lead an owner to think you were planning to use him.

I have always done most of my stud research on a dog long before contacting the owner, so if there was anything that put me off there would be no embarrassment or offence.

What I mean is I would have checked health clearances, those of offspring and parents (probably seen them),  I would have taken the opportunity to get to know the dog at shows/Trials, asked if I could go over him, check teeth etc, though this can often be done surreptitiously while petting him.

If I was actually arranging to visit with the owner it would be more to view his relatives, and I would make it clear I just wanted to get to know him and his lines better as he was on a shortlist of potential studs.  I am sure if you make yourself clear then no offence should be taken.

In your case you may be looking to see his working abilities demonstrated???

> it would seem that those who need (or enjoy) the money most, get the most annoyed if you don't choose their dog.

In this case it's not the money, but possibly because they want a puppy (know my bitch and her breeding).

> To be honest I would have thought you would have viewed the dogs at shows, and arranging to see one at home, unless already explained otherwise would lead an owner to think you were planning to use him.

Thanks - I'm interested that you think asking to see them would lead the owner to think I was planning to use him.  As I said, these are not show dogs, but working ones (trialling to be precise) and it is very difficult to get to see trials (unless they are running in a trial I'm at) - it's not like going along to a show.  Open Field Trials are heavily oversubscribed and only the lucky few get to run in more than a one or two a year, and unless I ask the owner outright, there is no way of knowing when and where they are running.  Many are midweek too, so makes it difficult when you work.

Oh I have done a lot of my research and I have my spies on the ground (so to speak), both health wise as well as ability wise. 

I suppose with working dogs the criteria are different from show, but nonetheless I would like a good looking worker ;-) and see them in the flesh.

However, thank you - from what you say it is usual for a stud owner to assume you are using him if you visit.

> In your case you may be looking to see his working abilities demonstrated???

Exactly, although I also want a well put together dog and and so would want to see them in the flesh too - photos don't tell you everything.

I suppose that is what shows were really designed for/supposed to be for a forum to see the available breeding stock in one place, must make it very difficult for you.

If it is difficult to view dogs in the normal course of events in the trialling world then I would think that arranging a visit might be seen differently than for a show dog.

Probably really wise to make your intentions perfectly clear at the outset.

So long as you make it clear when you request the appointment that you are going to view several dogs and then decide, I can't see that they would have grounds to complain.