Well....as it says on the tin...........do stud dogs change personality once used? Do they turn agressive towards other males once used?

Some people at training have said this to me but most of these people only have bitches. I'm not planning on studding my boy out but if some one asked I'm unsure what I'd do so wanted to get the facts straight before/if it ever comes do the decision.

I have done all my research into his lines, well actually the other way round the lines were what I researched first then found the right dog, and this wasn't a quick couple of months, it's been 4 years I've been reading all the books on my breed & sitting round the ring marking dogs I liked then checking out health etc in their lines.
I know 4 years isn't much to compared to experts but it's better than just a couple of months & I have put alot of work in knowing whats behind my boy.

I didn't buy him as a stud dog, just wanted a quality dog full of the lines I liked, to show & love which is exactly what I got so if he's never used it'd not bother me. But as above just curious as to wether they change once used becuase stud dogs in the ring don't appear to show any agression.

Also obviously it wouldn't be any old bitch, I would also check her pedigree to ensure it's 1. lines clear of the health issues 2.lines that would compliment each other 3.temerament 4.owner is competent of breeding a litter & aware of implications

In truth, some do and some don't - and you wont know until it's (potentially) too late :) 

Some become wanderers at every available opportunity (i.e. a whiff of a bitch in season within a couple of miles radius and they're off as soon as you let them into the garden for late night relief!); some can begin scent marking in the house and / or become anything from bolshy to particularly aggressive towards other males.  This is not necessarily evident in the show ring because many dogs realise the show ring to be a "work" or "game" environment so they're not often likely to interact with other dogs in the ring because they have been trained not to :)

FWIW my own stud dog didn't change at all - but I was fully prepared for signs and I didn't go into things lightly :)

Reading through your numbered points it's worth mentioning that the competency of breeding a litter and also awareness of implications also lie with the owner of the stud dog :) 

regards, Teri

edited to add: Read HERE

I did read that first but sort of wanted a general idea of people's experiences but then I guess that was probably made up of experiences :)

Oh yeah I'm fully aware of a stud dog owners responsibilities, I'm not planning on breeding a litter for many many years but I've read countless books on it & also helped out hands on with friends when having a litter, from perfect whelping to being in the vets for 6 hours from 2am.

I fully beleive the stud dog owner should be on hand to answer any questions etc and also accept any problems that accure in the pups and not to just take the money and run!

It does seem to vary.  My own experience of males I have known is those used for the first time later in life (four years plus) don't seem to change at all as their habits and attitudes are already formed, and if anything they have improved as they don't 'bitch' only being interested in bitches right on the boil.

The males used while still at the adolescent any port in a storm kind of mindset seem to take longer to settle away from being sex on legs.  The attitude to other males varies, depending on how good/familiar they were with other males before puberty hit.

> I fully beleive the stud dog owner should be on hand to answer any questions etc and also accept any problems that accure in the pups

exactly PLUS be in a position to help re-home or even temporarily house any offspring should there be a radical change in cricumstances of the original owners. 

Do you successfully show, at championship level, or work your dog? 

My own experience of males I have known is those used for the first time later in life (four years plus) don't seem to change at all as their habits and attitudes are already formed, and if anything they have improved as they don't 'bitch' only being interested in bitches right on the boil.

I once used a certain stud dog that was used for the first time by me. He was 7 then. After having mated he was virtually impossible to show for the following year, as all he was interested in was bitches. Seem to remember he even peed up one judge's trouser legs! (And this was a very experienced show dog.) He eventually calmed down again but it took a long time.

>This is not necessarily evident in the show ring because many dogs realise the show ring to be a "work" or "game" environment so they're not often likely to interact with other dogs in the ring

ive found this to be the opposite with my boy, when at a show surrounded by his own breed he is on his toes and ready to fight anything that looks his way (of his own breed though - not often other breeds).  Other times out on walks and at Agility shows he is lovely, I do wonder if its because at shows there are often bitches in season ?

He's been placed twice at UK champ shows in classes of 13+ (3rd & 4th) which doesn't seem much but all the dogs in the ring are, IMO of good quality and it either comes down to small niggley things or "playing it safe", how ever we've had some lovely comments from our fellow exhibitors saying we've been hard done by at some shows, which has boosted my confidence as these are people whose dogs I like very much.

I've also had him in Ireland a good few times this year must be about 20 times and he's been placed within 1,2,3 at all but 1 show under a mix of FCI & UK judges & had a reserve green star, always against some stiff competition.
I also do obedience with him and has passed Bronze Good Citizen working toward Silver and we'll be starting agility soon :)

I also agree with taking on any pups for any reason, all part and parcel of being a "parent" :)

My boy didn't change overmuch but he was just over 3 years when first used.  However, he remembers bitches he's been used on and whether inseason or not he becomes quite hard to handle when he spots them  No marking indoors or agression but then he is bottom of the heap anyway lol (as regards the rest of my dogs).

> He's been placed twice at UK champ shows in classes of 13+ (3rd & 4th) which doesn't seem much

At least he's placing and in numerically strong classes so you're making progress :)  I see you're in the IoM so showing on the mainland can't be as easy as it is for many others.

Oh gosh yeah, in all honesty I didn't think he'd ever be placed at a UK champ purely with me being a "newbie"

It's hard work at the moment attending shows, the ferry costs is just stupid and I find it hard to double up as most people are on diff days to me! Had to put of going to a club show in Oct because I can't afford the ferry £150 + hotel, fuel, food etc!!! :(

Does anyone have any articles about the changes in a dog once used at stud? A new member of a breed forum is under the impression using his dog at stud just the once will cure him of humping his small children(the dog is also badly bred and 20lbs over standard but that's incidental).I'm trying to persuade him that won't be the case but can only find opinions in posts on forums.I did have a couple of articles but the sites seem to be down.

comments from our fellow exhibitors saying we've been hard done by at some shows,
Ha ha that made me laugh... If I had a fiver for every time I've heard that one :-)

But seriously back to stud dogs.... My male cavalier turned into a raging testosterone driven horny hound and still is a total pain in the B*m.
My male boxers never changed one little bit but some can and do. I know of one famous and well used dog who leaps from the top step straight onto bitches backs.. no intro and no "hello how are you" and he is very OTT with humans unless he susses that they haven't brought him a bitch.

My youngster is a nightmare already, my eldest is in season at the moment and he seems to know exactly what he is doing ( He's not even four months old yet), if he can't get his own way with her he tries with my youngest bitch who is more of a push over!!!! ( And thankfully has not come into season yet) I am dreading taking him in the ring with any bitches when he is older especially as it looks like he is going to be a big boy , if he remains sex mad like this ( hopefully just teenage hormones) as you say i am convinced not every bitch owner shows the same consideration to others as some of us do when our bitches are in season. I am hoping he will be able to seperate work from pleasure if you know what i mean!!!!!! But i do think that alot of it is down to individual personality. Having had a stud dog (boxer) in the past i would say that no he did not change at all once studed out.

comments from our fellow exhibitors saying we've been hard done by at some shows,
Ha ha that made me laugh... If I had a fiver for every time I've heard that one

I'd probably have £20, almost an entry paid for haha, but if they didn't mean it then hoe hum, gave me a bit of confidence in the ring :)

Hmmmmm my mind now wonders as to who he is.................have a few guesses he he

my boy's personality hasnt changed a bit but he does have a few favourite corners in the house where he lifts his leg which he didnt do before. Not a problem for me with the hard flooring I have there and Ive tiled the hall to 3 foot up from ground level (was going to do anyway, just did it faster!!)

I have three boys who have been used and none of them have altered in temperament at all. The only thing I have found is the 'marking' when going to someones house who has a bitch. I only have boys so don't experience it my own home.