Just wondered.  I had a 4 month old puppy back a few weeks ago, have found a new home for him now.  My friend has just had a 11 week old puppy back.  Both were returned as they had forgotten what hard work puppies were.  Both homes appeared to be suitable, mine going to someone who had already had 2 puppies previously of the same breed and my friends going to someone who worked from home and had plenty of time for the pup, or so they thought. I'm sure anyone who is thinking of breeding for the first time would be interested as well.  It's obviously easier to find a new home for a puppy, but not so easy with an adult dog, perhaps with bad habits.
Sam

I have had one returned.  I relaxed my homing criteria because they were the family of a work colleague, and seemed to fit the bill in every other way, never again.  He was returned at about 10 months, too much work ;), but he was a lovely character and was actually very well behaved so after a couple of weeks with us I was able to place in a really lovey home that he has been very doted on ever since.

I think that most breeders will get at least one returned at some point. Things change in relationships, and no matter how much you think the home is a good one sometimes it's best to take the pup back (even if it is 9 years old!) than have it go through a rescue centre.

I took back one of my GSDs aged 7 1/2, when his owner was convinced by his sister in law that he was about to "turn nasty"He stayed with me for the rest of his life(another 7 1/2 years)He had an impecable temperament all his life & his owner was burgled within hours of him being returned to me, served his previous owner right !

pssst has anyone else noticed Isabels new signature....I think she's threatening us all! :D

"You'll be sorry"

Mmm...maybe she has been down here playing with the tanks at West Thurrock .........

Non ever returned...:D

> "owner was convinced by his sister in law that he was about to "turn nasty" and "his owner was burgled within hours of him being returned to me, served his previous owner "right !

Burglar wasn't Sis-in-law was she?

Burglar wasn't Sis-in-law was she?

LOLOLOLOL nope they were a couple of his customers who he told he had "got rid"of his dog to.

Strangely enough 2 years later the dog went Res BIS @ a local show & he decided he wanted his dog back ! I told him he was in the back of my van & to collect him from the van if he was that desperate(van was locked), I also had another GSD in the back of my van & when he kicked off as the guy approached, he turned to me & said "I told you he would turn nasty"Only thing was the dog he returned was almost a bi colour & the other dog a very light black & gold !! He didn't even realised the dog that was barking wasn't his dog !

His SIL had Irish setters & sold him a couple of her puppies Now there is a surprise ! I've never spoken to him since

This post should be attached to a previous post ' what makes a reputable breeder'. also as it is relevant Touch wood never had one returned but my door is always open for any puppy/ dog that I have bred. I hope that I have chosen my puppy owners correctly and always go on my gut instinct too about prospective owners.

I hope that I have chosen my puppy owners correctly and always go on my gut instinct too about prospective owners.

its not always down to not placing the puppy as well as one should  I have had 2 back from matrimonial break downs where neither person was able to then give the full care a giant hound breed requires in their new circumstanses.

I know personal circumstances change and I have been lucky so far in that respect, I was reffering to prospective owners that are buying on a whim without careful research or those that you pick up bad vibes from.

I feel for these poor mass produced puppy farmed dogs, what start do they have ? Obviously their 'caring considerate' breeders wouldn't want to know when problems arise so breed or general rescue have to pick up the peices. That's a different debate though so wont open a can of worms.

I would expect about 10% of pups to need rehoming a some point in their lives.

Last year a friend had a 10 year old and two 8 year olds of her breeding needing re homing.

I would expect about on per litter to come unstuck.

Most often if they are going to come back it will be from 6 months to two years (adolescents).

I really think you can do better than that if you are very strict regarding placement. I know I shall never shy away from stereotyping again ;)  I don't think it was coincidence that the only one I have had come back was from a home that I did not strictly apply my criteria too.  People say relationships break down for example, although this was not the problem with my particular example, but I think you can reduce the probabilities, on that for instance, by only allowing couples that have have been together for a long time.  Before anyone moans about the young being given a chance, I appreciate what you are saying and I was young when I got my first dog but now my priorities are my puppies :)

Well my friends 3 dogs were all down to death of owner or frailty/illness.

I have now had two pups come unstuck in homes that had the breed for years so seemed cast iron, yet they had forgotten how much work pups were and that they were 10 or more years older. 

It showed me there is no cast iron home.

Maybe the breed makes a difference, say a lap dog compared to a more energetic one?

Not counting the most recent pups I have bred 60 puppies.  Of those I kept 3 right from the start, and then kept one of the ones to come back.  Apart from her I have had to have back, help re home another 4 from 5 months to 3 1/2 years of age, from 1995 to 2003. 

Of course there is plenty of time for more to come back, as of those 60 the youngest are just over 18 months old.

Yes, I expect some breeds are going to lend themselves more easily to a change of circumstances such one owner rather than two sharing care or even other family members taking over etc.
I am sure there is nothing guaranteed like you say but there is a lot we can do to increase the probabilities by a very strict criteria.  Again the demand for a breed can make that easier or more difficult.

I don't know if he is still alive, but a gentleman I  used to see had my breed originally, but when I knew him he walked miles with a Yorkie.  He knew that he could rely on a good friend to take on such a small dog compared to the responsibility of medium size active breed.

I think people should answer with the number of returns compared to the number of pups bred.

I think we will all have bred too few to be statistically relevent :)  Any of us could have a bad run.  It is all just thoughts and theories really isn't it :)

Well those breeding over a long period will be more statistically relevant.  I know wht you eman though as one very dedicasted person in my breed only ever bred one litter and had 3 pups out of a litter of 6 or 7 need rehoming at one time or another, one of them twice.  Now that was bad luck.  They ahd bred pedigree cats for years, so were not new to vetting owners.

Of course there will be those breeders who never get any back in breeds wehre there is a ready resale market, or those who don't offer a back up service and the pups end up in rescue centres.

I think it is far more likely these days than yesteryear too because good homes are very much harder to find with less stability and less having someone home during the day.  I think it is the worry of this that is the single largest factor that makes me pretty much disinclined to ever breed again. 

My freind who started breeding in the early 50's feels very much the same.  She also feels common sense is long dead, as is commitment, she says that people have unrealistic expectations of ownership, especially puppies and balk at a bit of hard work, and are generly more selfish.

Until the last 20 years she rarely ever had a home not work out.

I had a pup come back after being in, what seemed at the time to be the perfect home, for a few weeks.  His first owners hadn't realised just what they were taking on even after 2 meetings and numerous phonecalls and e-mails before picking him up.

I realise now, it was for the best as he really does have the perfect home with a family who adore him and know what a special boy he is. :-)

Lisa

His first owners hadn't realised just what they were taking on even after 2 meetings and numerous phonecalls and e-mails before picking him up.

I think that is something most first time puppy owners dont' realise. It's like having children - you can read all the books, research as much as possible but the only time you really know what it is like is when you actually have a child.

We had dogs in my childhood and right through my life up until I went back to work full time. When we got our puppy 15 months ago I was amazed that I could forget just how much time a pup takes up. There was never any question of giving him back and I fully understood that all the time and effort put into his upbringing would make life more enjoyable for both us and our dog but it was hard going at times :D

By the time he came to live with us, at just 10 weeks of age, we were the fourth home he had lived in since he had been born

Ive had 1 returned through 'family breakup' he was 15 months - found him a lovely home after he had been with me for a week. I drove 150 miles to collect him as he was being left alone for long periods of time.

I had one returned on my very first litter It was really upsetting but I managed to find her a lovely home within less than a week. This time around I have been very picky not that I wasn't the first time around but a similar story to other people's ie; didn't realise how much hard work was involved. It makes me wonder how any of these people ever manage with their own children if they can't even look after ONE puppy. I've got 2 kids, 2 dogs and 7 pups and I manage fine ;-) oh and a husband :rolleyes:

Out of interest - what sort of criteria do you apply to people, and how do you know you've found the right people?  I don't breed, and am not likely to at any time I can foresee - but what would PARTICULARLY terrify me about breeding would be the placing of puppies in the right homes... How confidently do you weigh people up and know they're the right people?

I go for mature to middle aged, comfortably off, together for many years, experienced in dogs if not my own breed, living rurally with an obvious enjoyment of being outdoors, tidy in appearance suggesting they will take on the task of grooming properly, no children under 7 and someone home most of the day.  Very stereotyped and prejudiced against several groups :D but the only time I deviated is when it went wrong so I see no incentive to ever vary again.  The problem is my list used to be easier filled that it would be today and looks likely to be even less easier in the future as the generation of women that gave up their careers on having children are getting older and older.

With Malinois it is quite easy because is is such a VERY demanding breed, and not many breeders about either. My criteria are they are NOT first time dog owners, they MUST have an interest in training and preferably actually want to work actively in obedience or agility or whatever. They MUST have owned demanding breeds before so have experience.(My ideal buyer alreday has the breed!) Most of the time I also expect references from people I trust or proof of having taken an active part in dogs such as show and working results being available online.

I'm already worrying about having Golden pups in 2-3 years time as then there is no way I can say like I do now -"Sorry, experienced dog owners only as the breed is not suitable for beginners." Help!!

>no way I can say like I do now -"Sorry, experienced dog owners only as the breed is not suitable for beginners."

Well, you can't say exactly that :) but you can say not my puppies if that is what would make you more comfortable.  I don't think any breeder has to justify their own criteria, it is us that have to live with our placements.

I agree with what most people say but I also found out that keeping in touch with prospective new owners before pups are born helped immensely.
In doing this I found two families who I thought were perfect to be quite the opposite in learning during conversations that what they had previously told me was not true.......as liars have to have very good memories.

I have bred a total of 71 puppies in 7 litters over a period of 20 years.  3 have been rehomed.  The first one after only a week or so from a vet and his wife.  They complained the pup was nervous and hadn't settled.  I went to visit, perfectly normal pup, so I gave them their money back and brought her home.  The second was at the age of 3 afer a marriage break down -rehomed with a family friend.  The third was again a marriage breakdown - rehomed with some friends who already had one of my pups.

I agree that it's got even harder to find suitable homes nowadays.

Anyone at any age can have a marriage breakdown, it happens, and sometimes the cracks only show when the kids have left home. Was quite devestated a couple of years back, some friends, the male my husband had known since schooldays, who anyone whould have thought as being the ideal couple and never about to breakup (which is what she thought). It transpired he had been having an affair for two years, and she had no idea. Not till he left her that is. They had been married years, and have fanatastic kids. You can never tell, thats for sure, about someones relationship. I would think you can only do the best you can, whatever age or marital status the people are, and be there for the puppy should the worst happen.

Marriage break up or not I would never dream of rehoming my labs they are part of my family and mean as much to me as the kids it would be like giving one of them away

I think it is very hard to say what we would do when it has never happened to us :)  I would like to think I would be brave enough to do what was best for my dogs so if, for instance (and heaven forbid!! :D)  I found myself having to work fulltime to support myself ( I can hardly get the words off my keyboard :D) would it be kind to keep them?
I do think, as breeder, you can minimise the risk of this by playing the statistics on the groups that are least likely to separate... stereotyping again I am afraid :)

Of the five dogs of my breeding that came unstuck 2 were from that middle aged settled demographic, two were families with wife at home, and one was a couple not planning a family who were a long time married, had an unplanned child and then didn't have time for the dog who by then as 3 years old.  Two of the owners had the breed far longer than I.

Have found the least problematic homes are those with dogs already, and those whose children are growing up, adn parents need an interest of their own.  I have also had some super first tiem dog owners that researched and planned everything and made a good job of it.

had a bitch come back in June last year due to a marriage break up - we kept her for a few months until her owner was able to sort herself out with alternative housing and then she went back with her mum.

I think that as  the breeder you must be prepared to help if owners can no longer keep a dog you've bred - that's why it's such a huge responsibility !.

Yvonne

I never had a dog come back until a couple years ago when the lady called me and told me she had her house repossessed and so, couldnt keep the dog. I couldnt see them split up so I had them both here....next time I'll just have the dog!!!  LOL:rolleyes:

Ebonydawn - that is above and beyond the call of duty!!

I know that now  LOL  Just seemed the right thing to do at the time...It did end up disastrous tho  :-(

I agree with Isabel there.  My partner passed away last year and I had to rehome all but one of my dogs.  Most difficult decision I've ever made, but one that was best for the dogs.

I am so sorry Safftash.  It must be so hard on top of losing a partner :(  I hope the passage of time has helped a little.

Thanks Isabel, it has.  Life is getting back on track.
Meant to say in the last post - I'm still in contact with the owners of most of the dogs and they're all very settled and happy, so in my case, it was definitely the best thing for them.

Lisa

As I said, I hope if anything happened to change my circumstance I could be as brave as you and consider the dogs best interests :)

I was lucky when I got divorced. I couldn't imagine leaving all my dogs and cats so was simply 100% unable to move out, had nowhere to go at all, and my ex wouldn't leave, so I had to stay living with my ex even after the divorce, until I met my current husband who after just a few weeks of dating said "Let's buy a house together and get you and the animals out of there". :D I was able to keep all the dogs (bar one that my ex wanted to keep, which was fine as she had never really fitted in so well with my others, she was different temperament wise to them) and my ex kept the kids. (THAT wasn't the easiest thing ever, but best for the kids.) The cats we split 50/50.

Although I love my dogs dearly, if circumstances outside my control meant I had to live somewhere that didn't allow pets, or I wouldn't be at home enough to give my dogs the attention they both need and deserve then I'd very reluctantly rehome them to someone who could. At least, I hope I'd be brave enough to put my dogs' best interests above my own.

Never say never.

It would be interesting to know how many homings of rescue dogs fail?  After all most rescuews home check so don't just let anyone ahve a dog.  A friend allowed on of her retunees to find a home through breed rescue (there were none in resdcue at the time) and sadly he came back a few years later because of theri marriage breakdown (his first owner was ill and later died of Cancer).

It would be interesting to know how many homings of rescue dogs fail?

I think a fair few do Brainless. When we were adopting our pup from a national rescue there was a large litter next to our puppy and one of these subsequently attended the same training class. The new owners only went a couple of times and then stopped going. I saw one of their children several months later (after the cute and fluffy stage had passed) and asked after their dog only to be told it had gone back as it kept jumping up at people.

Grr :(

Set the same criteria,Marianne  even if it isn't working or showing, what experience of the breed do they have etc. I find I get a few 1st time owners but luckily they have done loads of research. and go on your gut instinct with people. You do not have to justify why you don't want people to have one of your pups.