Saffioraire Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 What I'm talking about is one particular pup in a litter - who has a higher drive, or shows more potential than the rest. I have a pup who I want to see go to an competitive or proactive home looking for a working dog. Having a rarer breed already creates a niche of interest, then trying to find a specific type of home narrows down prospects to almost nil. I advertise my dogs on DOL, and I am NOT talking about other websites etc. I am asking how do you create an interest (or where do you go looking) for a good working dog. Given that agility starts at 2yrs, obedience is limited until fully vaccinated and then most would prefer to start off their own dogs, and the show ring isn't the right place - I am questioning what places I can take him that would attract the right kind of interest from the right kind of people? Do you take your pups to herding/tracking/obedience trials in hope someone will notice them? Or contact the Agility Club of your state? I'm curious to know how others target desirable homes for exceptional puppies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Are you talking about a sporting or working home? I have chosen my last 3 dogs based on seeing their parents work/train and they stood out to me as outstanding. I haven't been fussy about which individual pup as I tend to be interested in breeders who breed a consistent litter. My opinion is that the best way to get a pup/pups noticed is to get out there & show off the parents. Hope I've understood the question correctly, apologies if not :) Edited February 7, 2012 by Vickie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hi Saffiodaire. :) I place puppies in homes according to what the people want. There are three categories: Companion homes, Working homes, and Show/breeding homes. If your situation warrants it then you might include agility/herding/tracking/obedience. But I don't think you can conjure up a person to fit with what you want the dog to be. There has to be demand and someone wanting the dog you have. For our dogs, not every one can have a show/breeding dog and I have only had one dog out of several litters suited to agility. Like most things there is an element of good fortune involved. Good luck Px Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) There could be no harm in going to a couple of trials - at the least it would give the pup some socialising. As White Shepherds are not that well known, I don't know how many people would specifically go looking for one for sports, so going around might be good exposure for the breed. ETA: Though most people are not looking to get a new sports pup NOW - but they may know someone who is. I am researching my next sports dog and it is a little while away yet :laugh: Know the breed, still looking into lines and breeders, and looking to understand breed traits better so I can know what it is I am looking at and how that translates into what I am looking for. Edited February 7, 2012 by Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffioraire Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks :) Yes Vickie you understood exactly. I probably didn't word it very well. I have been exceptionally lucky that my girl had 11 puppies for her maiden litter, all survived, and across the board quite a consistant litter. ALL puppies possessed qualities enough to make them a "breeder" when looking for type, pigmentation and temperament, so choosing the cream of the crop was a very labour intensive process. All puppies have been placed, 3 in breeder homes, the rest in companion homes and all were matched to their individual homes to the best of my ability so far with 100% success - again very lucky. This pup was due to go offshore which is why I still have him (at 10 weeks of age) but I have changed my mind as information has come to light that causes me to change my opinion on how trustworthy these people are. The pup in question SUITS a sporting home, his drive, his temperament and his type would suit either a sporting home or an attentive active family home. I think as each family varies so does the suitability for each pup for each family (if that makes sense). I see potential in this pup that I would prefer to see in a home who will use him to suit, I am just not sure how to "advertise" him to people who are actively looking for a sporting dog. Does that make more sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffioraire Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks Kavik I'm contemplating a trip up north soon so if I commit I might even give you a yell and have you assess him for me. Always nice to have many opinions from different trained eyes :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) This pup was due to go offshore which is why I still have him (at 10 weeks of age) but I have changed my mind as information has come to light that causes me to change my opinion on how trustworthy these people are. If it is any help, I had similar concerns about sending a breeding boy to Hawaii. Fortunately for us the people had a number of web sites so it all appeared kosha. One thing about rarer breeds like the Maremma and White Shepherd is that the majority of inquiries are genuine. I am not sure how I would feel about reneging on a placement, when getting your dogs overseas is one of the best advertisements you could have. Px Edited February 7, 2012 by Tralee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Don't ask me to assess :laugh: I am getting help to assess my next dog :laugh: ETA: I haven't met any White Shepherds yet - I am a bit curious :) Edited February 7, 2012 by Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I have chosen my last 3 dogs based on seeing their parents work/train and they stood out to me as outstanding. I haven't been fussy about which individual pup as I tend to be interested in breeders who breed a consistent litter. My opinion is that the best way to get a pup/pups noticed is to get out there & show off the parents. I agree with this, the only real way to get interest from those already competing is to show off the parents capabilities and attend trials. Bit late now though :laugh: You probably already have but let other breeders know you have this guy who is suited to a sporting home. I remember your thread about early desexing, will this pup be done early (or has been done?) Alot of serious competitors wouldn't consider a puppy that has been desexed early or has to be done before maturity. Just another thing to consider :) Do we get complimentary photos of the pup? :p Would love to see a little WSS puppy, I think they are a stunning breed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffioraire Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Having pups overseas is an awesome advertisement unless they've told you a porkie and plan on cross breeding it and pimping it out to unregistered breeders I have at least one pup, if not more, returning to Europe from my next litter (all going to plan) and to show homes, so I have that carrot up ahead to help me make the best choice for my dogs this time over. There is also the chance this boy's brother will still be heading for Europe later on this year also - but being only the 3rd litter of WSSD's in Aus keeping some cream here for now is not such a bad thing. Unfortunately for me I went chasing the CH title (which I ended up missing out on by 6 points before she was mated) instead of being sensible and spreading my time in show and sporting rings. A real lesson learned there. One of his sisters has gone off to be trained with the special dog op's and has already impressed the head trainer which is nice feedback. The other boy I have here is super as well, when I call him he comes and sits in front of me at my feet staring up at my face as if to say "What can I do for you" - and I didn't teach him to do that!! No he's not desexed. Toller after all that research I decided that late desexing is the only good option. Premature desexing has shown to promote late closure of the growth plates causing bone and joint health issues in the long term. So these guys have all gone with a contract stating they will be desexed at 12-13 months of age. I guess at some stage you have to trust you've made the right decisions and hope human kind doesn't let you down! Photo 1: With the PetStock Mascot Photo 2: At the Vets, so incredibly stressed out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Are you able to run him on a little and do some starting out training with him? Maybe to highlight his potential? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezy Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 not that this help you at all, but there is a lady doing agility north NSW with white sheps , lovely dogs and quite good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dxenion Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Saffioraire, this post should come with a disclaimer not to look if feeling clucky! (mutters to herself, I do not want another working boy... I do not want another working boy....) Edited February 7, 2012 by Dxenion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) I would say its not too late to go out and attend some sporting trials with your bitch and the pup to maybe generate some interest just as an observer. That said I agree with the others that not to many people in dog sports are looking for a pup right now. Good luck! Edited February 7, 2012 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonecutter Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 A side comment about show homes v sporting homes - my JS has quite a lot of prey drive and she is shown (in drive thanks to training with K9pro) and later this yr will be starting sports as well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I think your best bet would be to look for an active home that is happy to try sports, as opposed to a sporting home IYKWIM. A sporting home would have researched lines, the achievements of the parents etc and would most probably want a pup at 8 weeks (I know I wouldn't want an older pup because I have very firm ideas on exactly how I want a pup raised for performance, which can be quite different to how you'd raise a pet pup). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffioraire Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 A side comment about show homes v sporting homes - my JS has quite a lot of prey drive and she is shown (in drive thanks to training with K9pro) and later this yr will be starting sports as well :) Good luck! :) Both my dogs are going to be trained in tracking, herding, competitive obedience & hopefully agility this year. I'm also hoping to get them both an endurance title also. This is on top of being show dogs, so I do agree that a good dog can do all! So I think what I assumed to be true is, and that I am better off aiming for an active home then trying to hold out for a sporting home. I do definitely understand the research behind the lines and the need to search extensively to find a suitable partner. Hence my aim to compete in so many rings over the next few years, to draw the attention of sporting and working people to the breed. I think they are capable of being much much more than just a "pretty show and family dog" Cheers guys for your help :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) The first question anyone looking for a serious sporting prospect will ask you is what is the experience you have that has led you to believe that the dog has the potential you say it has. There are a lot of claims made by breeders about pups that simply don't stack up when tested. If the pup doesn't have a pedigree full of ancestors with proven ability, your job will be an uphill one. If you think the pup has the goods then I'd recommend you get a well respected sports or working dog trainer or handler to evaluate it. Coincidentally, GSDs are no longer a popular agility prospect because they are too big to be seriously competitive and some lack the structure for the sport. But I'd be getting someone who knows what competitors look for to see the pup. Edited February 8, 2012 by Telida Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Aww he is beautiful!! I think they are a gorgeous breed....one day...one day :p I do agree with Megan, an active home with a possibility of doing sports will be easier to find than an already competing sporting home. I think a WSS would be well suited to doing agility competitively as (at the chance of being flamed :p) they are alot more naturally put together and are better structured for the sport then current show GSDs but that's just my opinon :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dxenion Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) I think they are capable of being much much more than just a "pretty show and family dog" They can be a pretty handsome assistance dog too! Edited February 8, 2012 by Dxenion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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