Selling a car (pup) to your friends?

[Hepe]

Don't breed if you aren't comfortable with the fact some will be duds! I breed thoroughbreds.....some can't run faster than a riding school nag, some are world beaters - that's the law of averages I'm afraid!

I want ALL of them to be great and just what their owners want them to be! Realistically i think we all realize that not everyone of them will be perfect. Hopefully most of them will be decent hunting dogs and lovely family dogs, i was to say at least but it's not a bad goal.

[Hepe]

Deal with it as you do everything else in life - just take it in your stride. I presume you've bred responsibly & seek good homes for your pups & that's as much as you can do. You can't be responsible for the expectations or aptitude of buyers. I agree with Miesque, if you're going to lose sleep over it then don't breed. But you're breeding gundogs, not racehorses, and every one will make a proficient gundog in the right hands, if not a trials dog.

Naj

You are right. Not all of them want trial dogs, actually most look for good working dogs, some with expectations to trial as a bonus. I think i've done all i can health wise and i've tried to combine two level headed dogs giving that something extra without going overboard. Ah, writing about it i feel calmer, it will be fun to do this together! Yes fun!

Helene

[Hepe]

I have bought from friends, the ones that live very close and are close friends may not get an entirely honest opinion of their pup... Its called diplomacy, being a good mate, being economical with the truth, whatever. TBH they'll see the pup working and be able to form their own opinion!

The long distance friends whom I have made through buying pups stay in touch and I give an honest opinion if asked. Of course some breeders don't give a shite once they have your money. I don't buy from them again nor recommend them to anyone.

A good breeder is a good breeder and will want to know how the pups are plus offer support if needed throughout the pup's life. Chin up, you can do it!

Whaaaaa you mean that they will not tell me the truth? Well i will see the truth of it, I'm sure i will see all of the pups during the years to come and hear about progress and failures. At least i think i will be a good breeder, i still got contact with most of the puppy buyers from my accident litter some 15 years ago and it wasn't even a purebred one, not that it makes it less of a responsibility.

[HeidiK]

I bought a pup from a friend who lives a 10 minute walk away. He was fantastic! She has had reduced rates on any work I have done for her since, in gratitude! Had she continued to breed, I would have had another from her, after he died aged 15 1/2.

[Hepe]

I bought a pup from a friend who lives a 10 minute walk away. He was fantastic! She has had reduced rates on any work I have done for her since, in gratitude! Had she continued to breed, I would have had another from her, after he died aged 15 1/2.

Glad to hear a success story, crossing my fingers for a similar outcome here. We got minus -15c here today and expect the cold to stay plus lots of snow incoming end of week! After all the complains people had about the warm winter someone did listen and sent a lot of winter, i could have lived without it to be honest. The only benefit is clean floors! I will try to go out and practice my photo skills when the sun reach the cow pasture down the house in an hour or so but no more group training for now, at least not for Heavenly. I really don't want her to get her little tuppence (or whatever you call it) to be cold, it's a constant worry to see that she's sitting on the blanket and not in the snow. Probably unneeded worry but better safe than sorry..

Photo: Jessica Norman

[Stacia]

Heavenly looks heavenly

[shamykebab]

What a super photo; she's a lovely looking girl.

p.s. I'll swap this mud for snow anytime!

[James]

It's no different if you believe what you are selling is as good as you hoped be it a friend down the road or someone 100's of miles away, if you did your best when selecting your sire and put as much into the pups as you could then all you can do is hope the new owners enjoy their new pup and they both go on to have many great days out in the field.

[Hepe]

What a super photo; she's a lovely looking girl.

p.s. I'll swap this mud for snow anytime!

Thanks and yes the young lady taking the picture show great promise, especially in editing and having an eye for a good picture. And yes i have to admit that Heavenly turned out rather good looking although i can't take credit for it as i didn't breed her. Her eyes are a bit light, else she's well put together, if you ask me. She's a size bigger than i expected her to be but no complains from me, just surprised how a leggy snipey youngster turned into a rather sturdy grown up labrador lady. Of course that is not the main reason to breed from her and i doubt it's a big priority for those waiting for a puppy even if we all like a well put together dog to hunt with. Beauty is as beauty does, after all.

Helene

[Hepe]

It's no different if you believe what you are selling is as good as you hoped be it a friend down the road or someone 100's of miles away, if you did your best when selecting your sire and put as much into the pups as you could then all you can do is hope the new owners enjoy their new pup and they both go on to have many great days out in the field.

You are right, i will stop fretting about it now and enjoy the ride, decisions are made, all is prepared.

Helene