Sad news about my dog.

[hatredisnotavalue]

Took my little guy to the vet yesterday. I was thinking about breeding him. The vet assistant said that although he is a really nice dog, he's not a great dog and needs to be neutered. He is too jowly and not very big for a GR.

He is six months old and is the most incredible animal I have ever had. I have posted on other threads, that it takes him literally five minutes to learn a new trick. His tricks are up to 10 at the age of 6 mo. and his vocabulary is at least 20 words.

He works at the nursing home, and the residents absolutely love him. We got him at 7 weeks old and he has only make two mistakes in the house. We don't tie him up. He just comes and goes as he pleases.. This since seven weeks.

When the vet assistant said, there are a lot of smart dogs at the shelter, which is true, I kind of got pissed off. She was implying that looks in the dog world were more important than brains. She professionally breeds dogs and raises them in crates and only lets them out to eat and run around their pen once a day. (a huge no-no in my book)

Am I being a snotty bitter bitch about this. Or should I see another vet. I am telling you, this dog is truly brilliant. And I have had my share of pups, who weren't so.

[arismomkoofie]

1. I'm sorry...

keep in mind neutered dogs are (in general) healthier... and there is always cloning!

:)

[hatredisnotavalue]

3. you're right

I am now training him to go on David Letterman. But it is just so sad how they rate dogs right now. Standing in the vet's office I felt like she was telling me I shouldn't have kids because they wouldn't be genetically superior.

[bigwillq]

9. Hello. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Darth_Kitten]

2. Not sad news.....

We have too many animals in this world without good homes....feel blessed to have your beautiful pup! :D

[hatredisnotavalue]

8. You're right

But i have had to put to sleep two dogs from shelters who were so badly abused that they attacked people. My vet said that that is very common in dogs who were not well treated and then when they found a good home, they were too protective.

[driver8]

19. I agree...too many dogs that need good homes already.

You have a wonderful pup that you love. What is the big deal about breeding him?

Also -- who cares what the vet thinks. To you, your dog is perfect and that is all that matters. As far as the breeding goes, I would have him neutered for health reasons.

[The empressof all]

4. I feel your pain

Unfortunately Professionals breed to AKC standards which are based primarily upon agreed upon standards of how the breed should appear.

I have a Dalmatian/Lab Mix that I got as a pound puppy. (both parents were registered pure breds that had an illicit encounter) As part of the agreement with the humane society we had her neutered. Now that I have raised and loved this dog there is nothing more that I would want than to have puppies. I've even looked into cloning-but I can't afford that. She is smart, loving, well behaved and doesn't shed. I'm grateful I have many years still to look forward to having her in my life.

[driver8]

20. I hate the idea of "breed standards"...absolutely hate it!

So these breeders are breeding dogs to produce a dog that meets a standard set by the AKC. What happens to the pups that don't meet the standards? What do they do with them?

[The empressof all]

22. From what I understand

The ones that don't fully meet standard are sold off as pets. Generally a breeder will negotiate with the buyer to have the dog neutered as part of the purchase agreement and the dogs AKC registry will be noted that this dog is not for breeding. Dogs that are to be bred as show dogs are very expensive and frequently the breeder will want a percentage of profits from the blood line.

I'm not saying it's right---It's just the business of showing and breeding Pure Bred AKC registered Dogs. (By the way I'm not in the business, nor do I show or breed dogs--just have learned a little about it through the years)

[Pithlet]

5. It sounds like she has the "show dog" mentality

And that is ALL about looks. Talk to a few reputable breeders of your breed and have them assess your dog.

[Dookus]

6. not terribly sad news

you have a great dog, and he's healthy. He just doesn't conform to the breed standard, which is somewhat arbitrary, but is nonetheless the standard.

I have an English Bulldog - 7 months old - and I'm hoping to have him evaluated for breeding potential. If he's not breedworthy, it doesn't detract from his greatness as a dog at all.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. It's probably best not to breed him.

I would not breed. There are already many animals in need of homes. To bring more into the world is just going to end up in more unwanted animals. The people who will take the puppies sired by your dog will end up taking the place in people's homes that could have been taken by puppies that need homes.

I'm sure your dog is great. He sounds really wonderful. But breeding is really a very serious matter. Just because your dog is wonderful doesn't mean that the offspring will be. Breeding is not cloning. Just like not all of the children of geniuses are geniuses themselves, not all the pups of good dogs will be good dogs.

People buy purebred dogs expecting their dogs to be the AKC standard size and weight. If the pups sired by your dog are not meeting the standard, they will be sold as pet quality dogs. People wanting pet quality dogs can really help out a dog in need of a home.

Sad news would be if he had a tumor or something. Be happy! You have a wonderful dog.

[hatredisnotavalue]

10. i know ...sniffle

But he is just the best dog. If you could see him interact with the nursing home residents, as just a pup, you would say, OMG the world needs a million more of this dog. I truly have never seen anything like it. He then goes to PETco and gets to pick out a treat, but his best treat is going after the deposited gum in the parking lot :)

[hatredisnotavalue]

13. I do have a wonderful dog...you are right

I should be thankful for what I have. Here's his pic playing with his best friend, Izzy.

[miss_kitty]

14. What a sweet couple!

When's the wedding?

Seriously-I got an extremely intelligent stray (Stella, 'The Terrierist') a couple months ago, and she's not fixed. I have to though. She started life as a homeless guy's dog and she was lucky she had a boy to look after her. But in a different world-with the right dad-she'd make excellent pups.

:hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

16. Aww look at him smile!!

I always wanted a Golden...but my dogs always seem to find me rather than the other way around!

[Vadem]

23. What a great picture!....Our "children" are so special to us....

I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels now. I had three, until my first precious one died leap day, last 2/29, almost a year now, from Diabetes. Yes, they are wonderful. I still have two more, tri-color, the loves of my life, along with my human granddaughter. What would we do without our precious loves?

[Mend]

11. Do not neuter him yet

I actually am a show breeder (as a hobby, small-time but for many years). You absolutely can't judge the looks of a dog at six months. He will change a lot before he is fully grown. GR's have a lot of problems with hip dysplasia, so I would definitely have his hips and elbows x-rayed and sent to the Orthopedic Foundation of America. If his hips pass, and he is smart, go to an AKC show near you and watch the GRs in the ring and talk to a few owners. See how close your dog is to the standard. Temperament is very important in breeding and showing....it is not all about looks. Also look into agility and obedience....there are breeding lines that emphasize working ability. BTW, the incidence of osteosarcoma goes up in neutered dogs, so if you are a responsible owner that prevents him from roaming, you don't have to neuter him ever.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. Neutered dogs are less likely to develop prostate problems and testicular

tumors. Neutering IS the responsible thing to do, even if you are careful about your male dog's roaming habits.

[NashVegas]

15. Check With Your Local Society for the Blind

or whatever is in your area.

they may have use for GRs that the AKC doesn't.

[hatredisnotavalue]

17. I think that is really my point in all of this

This dog brings in dead squirrels that have been flug in the back 40 a year ago. He is incredible in search and rescue and with the infirmed. You should see him at the veteran's/nursing home, where my Mom is now at. .

There was a guy there that had one arm and legs blown off from serving in Iraq. Boodah was quite taken with this guy from a very young age. Did Boodah sense his health issues? I don't know. But I asked him if it would be okay if Boodah could jump in his lap and this guy was like ya okay. I said Boodah "Kiss" and he jumped into this soldier's lap. And started kissing him. Boodah you want to go for a ride? And the soldier took him all around the facilty showing him off with the dog riding around on his lap. Absolutely priceless.

Boodah was probably four months then.

[alittlelark]

21. That is an exceptional idea !!

My daughters class did a field trip to one in N CA last year... they went over breeding, training, intelligence ( over 1/2 the dogs are not accepted after training ). They have to be the best of the best - and size is not a factor.

[BrklynLiberal]

18. Boodah is a gem..and sometimes the characteristics worth passing on

have nothing to do with being "purebred". As was suggested in a previous post, wait a bit and make sure to check his hips and such. Continue to spread his goodness among those who appreciate him. It sounds like he has a lot of heart and it should be shared.
You are both very lucky to have found each other.
PS Find a more compassionate vet.
PPS He is adorable, as is his best friend!

[hatredisnotavalue]

24. Thanks so much

I just love them so much. My kids are now teenagers and don't need their mom much any more. Sigh. I probably spend way to much time with this dog and four cats. But they bring me such happiness, whic is the only happiness I have known since Bush became president...you know the rest, our so-called president...ya da ya da.

[SOteric]

25. See another vet. Service animals and canine officers

need the kind of smarts you describe and it would be a shame to let go of the possibility without a little further research.