Breeders Taking Back Dogs They Bred

[Crisovar]

No flaming please, but I am genuinely interested in peoples thoughts on this as in the back of my mind I have often worried that perhaps we are contributing to people taking the responsiability of dog ownership too lightly by offerring the easy out.

Having said that, I myself have rehomed a dog after offering it back to the breeder. I was more than happy to do the rehoming and consulted the breeder with regard to whether they would prefer the dog to be sterilised first and transfered to limited register if they did not want it back themselves or whether they were happy for her to go to another breeder who had some of their lines.

Definately food for thought, I don't know what the answer is, I do know that somehow we need the public to start taking responsibility for their actions.

There have been some interesting threads on here recently, and it really does seem that more and more people expect someone else to clean up the mess.

Ownership of animals is a big responsibility, one not to be taken lightly, but when things get tough there is always someone else to blame or to pick up the pieces.

I think it is sad that baby puppies have to have their reproductive organs ripped out to prevent some idiot allowing them to breed. I think it is ridiculous that people beat their chests and wail fowl when local authorities destroy unclaimed and unwanted animals. Equally sickening are the people who use emotional blackmail to try and get rescuers, shelters and councils to take on the unwanted litters that they were too damn lazy to prevent.

We live in a world where no one wants to accept responsibility, yes maybe we are making it all too damn easy.

[whippets]

No flaming please, but I am genuinely interested in peoples thoughts on this as in the back of my mind I have often worried that perhaps we are contributing to people taking the responsiability of dog ownership too lightly by offerring the easy out.

Having said that, I myself have rehomed a dog after offering it back to the breeder. I was more than happy to do the rehoming and consulted the breeder with regard to whether they would prefer the dog to be sterilised first and transfered to limited register if they did not want it back themselves or whether they were happy for her to go to another breeder who had some of their lines.

Definately food for thought, I don't know what the answer is, I do know that somehow we need the public to start taking responsibility for their actions.

There have been some interesting threads on here recently, and it really does seem that more and more people expect someone else to clean up the mess.

Ownership of animals is a big responsibility, one not to be taken lightly, but when things get tough there is always someone else to blame or to pick up the pieces.

I think it is sad that baby puppies have to have their reproductive organs ripped out to prevent some idiot allowing them to breed. I think it is ridiculous that people beat their chests and wail fowl when local authorities destroy unclaimed and unwanted animals. Equally sickening are the people who use emotional blackmail to try and get rescuers, shelters and councils to take on the unwanted litters that they were too damn lazy to prevent.

We live in a world where no one wants to accept responsibility, yes maybe we are making it all too damn easy.

Amen to that. It goes beyond keeping dogs as well.

[WreckitWhippet]

I offer the "easy out" to anyone with one of my dogs, so far no one has sent one back. I prefer to offer to take one back than find out that one of mine has been dumped in a pound. Thankfully that hasn't happened either.

ETA: I'd like to think that I have selected puppy buyers that are in it for the long haul, not the throw away owner. I think all of my puppy buyers and those who I have rehomed to are committed, but I understand that sometimes life doesn't always go to plan and if they need help, then I'm here.

Edited March 3, 2010 by SBT123

[Jed]

I've only had a couple back, over a very long time, and both were for good reasons. They went to lovely new homes. A couple have returned temporarily for a bit of training, or owners have been helped at home.

I've had a couple back short term - one pup was sold, and 4 weeks later, a grandparent in another state died and the owners had to go for a couple of weeks, so I took the pup back for that time - easier on him than boarding. Another owner of a half grown pup broke her shoulder, I think he was here for a few months, while she recuperated, he was a good boy.

I don't choose people who subscribe to "disposable" dogs. I like my pups, none of them have ever done me any harm, and I wouldn't knowingly place them in anything but the best home.

[Sandra777]

It is alarming the number of people who do not even consider contacting the breeder when things go pear shaped

Yes, and you get the oddest reasons - such as "they live all the way over ....." or "I want to be able to see the dog again"(like is the breeder going to make it invisible?) Somehow it was possible for you to get off your butt and phone the breeder when you wanted the puppy, but when you don't want the dog or can't have the dog any more the breeder lives tooooo far away to make a phone call!

GGRRRR

[ozjen]

Thanks all for your thoughts on this subject, I do like hearing others perspectives on this matter.

Many years ago I had someone who had purchased one of my pups call to see if they could get another from me as they were so happy with the other one. I didn't breed often so I promised I would contact them sometime in the future if I had a litter to see if they were still interested. The next day I got a call from another puppy buyer (same litter) who could not keep theirs and I was able to arrange a rehome to the first caller who had origanally tossed up between this pup and the one they took. For many years we shared snail mail (before the internet) about these two pups who were truely loved and I recieved regular photos as well. It still amazes me though how well fate played a hand in this event and the amazing timming between calls.

[~Anne~]

It is alarming the number of people who do not even consider contacting the breeder when things go pear shaped

Yes, and you get the oddest reasons - such as "they live all the way over ....." or "I want to be able to see the dog again"(like is the breeder going to make it invisible?) Somehow it was possible for you to get off your butt and phone the breeder when you wanted the puppy, but when you don't want the dog or can't have the dog any more the breeder lives tooooo far away to make a phone call!

GGRRRR

I had many Pugs surrendered and the breeders were not cotnacted by the owners because the owners wer concerned they would be looked upon poorly for being in the position of needing to surrender their dog and they were too embarrassed or concerned about being abused or looked down upon.

I think it is really important that breeders let their puppy buyers know that they will not be judged regardless of why they need to surrender the dog. If there is a sense that they will be, the same with rescue, then you have buckley's chance of ever being told that one of your pups needs to be re-homed.

Sadly though, the majority of people will judge someone who needs to surrender their dog. You only need to read the comments in threads on this forum about dogs being surrendered,given away and re-homed to see that.

[Andisa]

I had many Pugs surrendered and the breeders were not cotnacted by the owners because the owners wer concerned they would be looked upon poorly for being in the position of needing to surrender their dog and they were too embarrassed or concerned about being abused or looked down upon.

I think it is really important that breeders let their puppy buyers know that they will not be judged regardless of why they need to surrender the dog. If there is a sense that they will be, the same with rescue, then you have buckley's chance of ever being told that one of your pups needs to be re-homed.

Sadly though, the majority of people will judge someone who needs to surrender their dog. You only need to read the comments in threads on this forum about dogs being surrendered,given away and re-homed to see that.

Anne I agree with this.

I do not care if my dogs are returned to me - but I do care about the way they have been treated. As long as they have been well care for and loved and if/when things change and they are no longer able to keep the dogs then I want them back.

So far I have had 2 Rottweilers come back home - one is here now.

I would rather find a new home than all concerned not being happy. Everything can work out good as long as it is handled properly.

eta: just to clear any possible misunderstanding - regardless of the way they have been treated I want them back. I will put in the time and effort required to rehome them or I would pts myself. But I would not want one of my dogs become pound fodder. I have always said if I can not trust my dogs with my family then I would not put them in someone elses family.

Edited March 3, 2010 by Andisa

[centitout]

I too want my dogs to come back,but i am sorry-too many owners now when the slightest hiccup happens-get rid of the dog.

For some people ANY effort/adjustment is too much and that is when i do get the %$#ts.Genuine circumstances are different.I would never openly critisice the owner though-the main thing is to get the dog back safe.

[Surgebuster]

I am genuinely delighted that many people have identified the owner's responsibilities to their dog. Up until reading this thread, I thought the overwhelming majority of DoL'ers blamed breeders far too often in these instances.

We live in an impulsive society that views everything as disposable. Unfortunately, that can mean people buy and discard dogs without too much thought about the consequences.

Breeders can't do much more than ask a few questions and use their judgement on prospective owners. It isn't perfect but blaming them for society's ills seems a tad excessive!

[Bisart Dobes]

We have a clause that all dogs must come back to us to be rehomed - no if's, but's or maybe's - as far as we are concerned we bred them and we have that responsibility for the entirety of their lives. "IMHO" If you are not in a position to take dogs back then you shouldn't breed.

We have only had one back though and that was due to marriage breakup. We insist because it gives us the chance to assess the dogs temperament and ensure it is going into the right home - with our breed this is vitally important.

Though we also do everything we can to prevent this. We run training and socialisation classes of our own for our puppy people up to the age of 16 weeks - which helps nail out those little problems before they develop into anything real. We are always available for advice - phone, email or in person if needed - though only 2 have required lessons after puppy classes - both were pregnant mums and the dogs were around 18 mths and just a little over protective of their owner - a natural reaction for our breed but re-establishing the pecking order settles things down. Probably the most rewarding thing I have received was a very proud letter and photos of how good their dog was with the new baby - he was like a proud dad (they now have 2 kids and the dog is devoted to them).

We stay in touch with our own 'newsletter' - corny I know but I find it is a great way of keeping in touch without being too invasive - some people don't want the breeder of their dog to be in their lives every week for a chat but I want to have that contact maintained - we have a better chance of the dogs coming back to us that way. We had several contact us after I put in the story of the rehomed one and how heartbroken his first owner was but what a great home he had gone into - hopefully this reinforced that it is ok for them to approach us at any stage of their dogs lives.

We can only do what we can do.

[ozjen]

.

Though we also do everything we can to prevent this. We run training and socialisation classes of our own for our puppy people up to the age of 16 weeks - which helps nail out those little problems before they develop into anything real. We are always available for advice - phone, email or in person if needed

We stay in touch with our own 'newsletter' - corny I know but I find it is a great way of keeping in touch without being too invasive - some people don't want the breeder of their dog to be in their lives every week for a chat but I want to have that contact maintained - we have a better chance of the dogs coming back to us that way. - hopefully this reinforced that it is ok for them to approach us at any stage of their dogs lives.

We can only do what we can do.

Not corny at all, I love keeping in touch with my puppy buyers although as you say this does not suit every puppy buyer. I also think its great that you run puppy classes for your pups, this is something I have been considering for awhile. At present I make it clear to people that I am available to assist with training issues as well as the normal inquires for the life of the pup but am thinking that perhaps a more structured learning class might be a good starter to encourage those less confident owners who may be reserved about calling for assistance. It is also a good way to further build the relationship with the pups owner.

[Jed]

Anne

I think it is really important that breeders let their puppy buyers know that they will not be judged regardless of why they need to surrender the dog. If there is a sense that they will be, the same with rescue, then you have buckley's chance of ever being told that one of your pups needs to be re-homed.

I do too, and I think following up puppy purchasers with the occasional email, phone call etc and keeping in touch helps buyers feel that they can send the dog back without judgement being made. When I ask them to sign the rehoming agreement, I always tell them about one of the dogs I took back, what happened, where he went etc, in the hope they will remember if they ever need to rehome the dog. Sometimes things go pear shaped for the best buyers in the world, and the dog does need a new home.

[Swiss Girl]

We have a clause that all dogs must come back to us to be rehomed - no if's, but's or maybe's - as far as we are concerned we bred them and we have that responsibility for the entirety of their lives. "IMHO" If you are not in a position to take dogs back then you shouldn't breed.

We have only had one back though and that was due to marriage breakup. We insist because it gives us the chance to assess the dogs temperament and ensure it is going into the right home - with our breed this is vitally important.

Though we also do everything we can to prevent this. We run training and socialisation classes of our own for our puppy people up to the age of 16 weeks - which helps nail out those little problems before they develop into anything real. We are always available for advice - phone, email or in person if needed - though only 2 have required lessons after puppy classes - both were pregnant mums and the dogs were around 18 mths and just a little over protective of their owner - a natural reaction for our breed but re-establishing the pecking order settles things down. Probably the most rewarding thing I have received was a very proud letter and photos of how good their dog was with the new baby - he was like a proud dad (they now have 2 kids and the dog is devoted to them).

We stay in touch with our own 'newsletter' - corny I know but I find it is a great way of keeping in touch without being too invasive - some people don't want the breeder of their dog to be in their lives every week for a chat but I want to have that contact maintained - we have a better chance of the dogs coming back to us that way. We had several contact us after I put in the story of the rehomed one and how heartbroken his first owner was but what a great home he had gone into - hopefully this reinforced that it is ok for them to approach us at any stage of their dogs lives.

We can only do what we can do.

I think that is fantastic. I feel dumped by our last dogs breeder. I knew they were moving state, but thought that they would have kept the same email address and webpage, but its all been closed down. So even if I had a problem I couldn't contact them. Its such a shame because I loved providing emails and photos of our other dog.

[alpha bet]

Glad to hear soooo many breeders are prepared to take back their puppies.... Many even stating that if a 'breeder isnt prepared to take them back then they shouldn't be breeding'

Lets get honest here......... Things happen.... circumstances change..... nobody can make a promise to rehome stock they have bred........ for life !......

When the statistics sate that perhaps 1 in 3 marriages end in divorce - then this alone can mean that potentially dogs may need rehomeing... neither of the divorcee's can keep the pup..... so why is the breeder now responsible.

There are also plenty of breeders out there who have operated in partnerships/marriages and then had divorce/breakups. These breeders may no longer be in a position to take pups back......

As breeders we can offer to rehome and assist .... and sometimes take a puppy back.... BUT TO MAKE A PROMISE ! Sheese! get real.

(now i sit back and wait for the ear bashing....)

[centitout]

i have had to rehome 5 (most from the big litter and the other girls).Most of these people traveled from out of state twice to see their pup -so i thought i was on the right track.One was donated as a potential search dog on anothers recommendation.

I had 4 at pretty much the same age all come back ,then i get a phone call to say another owner had their work hours cut,so they needed full price back for the dog immediately and to arrange transport for him back to me

That is the only one i have been unable to help as i was extremely stretched financially already-but i do know where he is now,and if they didnt ask me to pay for him and transport,he would have come straight back.

Now i would offer to foster for a while instead till they get sorted,owners have to take some responsibility for the dog and the choices they make.I know people can and do end up in a bad situation overnight(been there before) so i do understand and will do whatever i can if its a genuine problem.If one is in the pound though(only happened once thank god) i will do whatever i have to to get them out.