We have advertised for a KC Reg puppy bitch - because I would like to involve my children in obedience shows - for a while now (Newfoundland, Labrador, Boxer) with no luck - maybe because while we have budgetted for her upkeep we are only able to pay a donation upto 150.

Then on Wed 19th June I got a call for a 9 month KC Reg Yellow Bitch Labrador. Made an appointment and drove there on the Saturday. Saw the bitch who had a good temperament and seemed to have elements of basic obedience. Fully vaccinated, microchipped, of good health (well ... no weeping eyes, ears, mouth). My 4yr old son took to her, we were adjudged suitable, and after about an hour we drove away with her.

The owner called on Saturday evenign that the wife/kids were a bit traumatised. He called again on Sunday that she'd been crying all night. AND ASKED if they could have the Labrador back. I spoke with my family and we were in agreement and asked him to collect her. Which he did. I showed him the changes we'd made in one day to our residence to accommodate the Labrador in the best of circumstances. She'd already been socialised with our neighbours and their children. I'd cut down (well .. haven't finished yet) the hedges to make way for sturdier cross poles, the accessories, the appointment at the Vets, etc., etc.)

Yet we gave her back.

Maybe in time, we will have similar luck and a chance for my children to own a puppy of their own. Someone reading this ... who knows ... could be you

i stand too be corrected---BUT, id never thought of newfies or boxers as the ideal obedience dog, if youre well into it why not get a border collie, theyre very good at it and id imagine cheaper to buy, :D

What a nice thing to do, you would of been quite within your rights to keep her, Im sorry, you must be so dissapointed !! I do hope there is someone who can help you with a suitable pup. I wish you the best of luck in your search xx

I was just thinking that Philippa- she's a much nicer person than me because I wouldn't have gave her back. I'd question the reason for them letting her go in the first place! (It is a bitch we're talking about isn't it?) Could Mattie help out? or is she JUST into rescue?

Stacey x x x

Stacey I would not have given her back at all,and when dogs come into rescue we will not return them after all they may yet change their mind again and where will the dog be then.
This person can contact me and if I can help I will.
Email me with a contact number by clicking on my name

Mattie- funnily enough- I've just put someone else onto you too- Cheryl Pelteret:)

Stacey x x x

THANK YOU ALL. I will contact Mattie. dizzy - since your post I've looked at the Border Collie and think we are unsuitable for one - basically their main strength is on the farm! I have had a look at the Hungarian Vizla as well as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which are both greatly appealing but we think we will probably have to wait for ever for a puppy on donation or breeding terms. If nothing else, I have now become a member of this wonderful site and it will take me weeks to assimilate so much relevant and interesting information.
Pssssttt - our disappointment is almost completely replaced by the warmth of your responses.

Happy to help:) Like I say though you're a nicer person than me:)

Stacey x x x

P.S; Something you're bound to ask- we all have at some point- click on help and it will show you how to do smilies:)

Thanks kash.

:( then champdogs.co.uk post, then :D

Hi Martinez sorry to disagree but Border Collies are one of the most versatile breeds ever I have 4 and only one could be called anything like a farm dog as she actually did spend4 weeks on one.:DGillian

from my experience of border collies at shows theyre much changed in temperament now--ive not seen any of them herding anyone around the ring :D. i know years ago that they where all very much pure work obsessed dogs ,but i feel theyre much more capable of being a family dog now-providing theyre stimulated, :)

Hello SatinCollie - what I meant in my post was that we thought our family would be unsuitable for the Border Collie. Our research also showed the impact of foot & mouth on this breed and though we are sympathetic and willing, we feel our family lifestyle to be unsuitable to this breed (well .. my wife is all for it hoping that the exercise requirements will help get rid of my pot-belly)

I dont hold out much hope for your pot belly :) Since getting my Malamute , I have been walking anywhere from 2-6 miles a day (As I also walk to school and to the shops as well as walk Hudson). My belly (and hips) havent changed one jot ...

Mind you ..I have thighs and buns of steel :D

Melody

Oh that sounds like me Mel! My cousin was making fun of my large bum that gives a good impression of a solar eclipse if it's in your eye line! he decided to slap me playfully, and hurt his hand!!!! :D

LOL

Have to get hubby to try ;)

My bum ...not yours :D

Martinez,
I would say about breeding terms that it is not done as often now as it was.

there is a lot of scope for misunderstanding and strife, and tends to be done most often between people that know each other well, and even then if things go awry can result in falling out.

From the breeders point of view they may find that the owners will not honour the agreement, and to enforce it throughthe courts etc is just not worth the hassle or expense. the new owners may not find it convienient to have thir bitch taken away to rear a litter, o0r be prepared for the hard work and time and expense involved if they are expected to rear a litter themselves and the agreement is for x pups to go back to the breeder!

I have bred a litter on a loan of bitch agreement. the owners were not in a position health and work wise to breed, and wanted their girl to have a litter, so I had her here temporaily in my ownership. She needed a C section and was poorly, and I realised that if she had died I would have felt terrible, and the owners may have thought me at fault, and it could have strained our relationship. I would never tdo it again even though it all worked out well and 3 of the pups are being shown and doing well!

Thanks Brainless. I did send off to the KC to find out exactly what this stood for. All I meant in my ignorance was that I would sign an agreement for the breeder to consider stud choices as well as to have a pick of the first and/or second litter. I am not considering a loan of breeding bitch.

I do understand the perils of such an agreement - FAITH ON BOTH SIDES. I think for my family we have considered this our very own adventure. Whether it happens this year or not is no longer relevant since we have been successful once and our loving home might be again :)

Have taken the plunge! Advertised for a puppy: one of three possible breeds - any of the German Pointers, Hungarian Vizsla or Weimaraner. We'll stick it out and hope for the best. Does anyone have an example of a breeding terms contract?

Hi Martinez

It might be a good idea for you to read the Weimaraner breed guide on here as well as reading as much as possible about this breed and talking to people before deciding it would be suitable for your family. I'm not saying you shouldn't get one, I don't know you to judge, but I must make you aware that they are not the easiest of breeds to have, even when you think you are doing everything right you can still get into difficulties. They are extremely intelligent but also very wise and need a firm but not harsh hand. Earn their respect and they'll do anything to please you, let them get away with anything and they'll run your life for you :D

I can't comment really on the other breeds as I don't know enough about them, but I do have a dog and bitch weimaraner. I don't know how much Rescue charge but if you were getting a weimaraner direct from a breeder you could be looking at paying at least £300. Good Luck with whatever you decide. :-)

Hi Claire B,

Thank you for the comments and well-said too!!! We have looked at these breeds and agree with your comments with regard to the Weimaraner. I believe firmness probably applies to most gundogs.

We have joined the Hungarian Vizla Discussion group (MSN) and have recieved an invitation to visit and discuss with a breeder not too far from us (discuss and have a first-hand 'feel' of the breed - not get a puppy as they don't have any litters planned for a year or so; and even so they won't have any for 'donations').

We intend to do the same for the German Pointer and the Weimaraner. Remember it is not only about getting a puppy it is also about getting as much REAL-LIFE information as possible. Our journey is still only starting and will last till our lifetimes so we thank you for the good luck wishes ;)

Martin you couldn't have said it better- I think if I lent Kassie (13 wk old GSD) to say 10 different people all wanting GSD's for a week- I could probably put a fair few of them off as with her size etc and the mischief she gets up to- only the really serious people who have thought about it very hard would remain:) This of course is a personal guess and not from any true statistics:) I think it's a great idea to visit them and have a look:)

Stacey x x x

Test driv9ng the breeds is an excellent way to go. One mans meat is another mans poison as the saying goes. there are some breeds that I could not stand to live with, and they are considered wonderful by theri afiscionados! I cqan't imagine having anything other than Elkhounds, even though they are not my first breed, but accept they aren't everyones cup of tea!

If you take this slow path you may perhaps find someone willing to accept you for a boomerang pup (one that comes back to the breeder), as you seem to be making such an effort to progress in your search slowly!