Giving away / picking up trained / part trained gundogs

[Callthatagundog]

Over the years I have been the recipient of four rehomed dogs - we currently have two of those four. The first was given to me as a youngster purely out of love. He was 4 years old, well trained and could have been sold instead of given at a handsome profit. The second was again a four year old dog, the casualty in a family break-up. Despite a very good working pedigree he had been a pet dog and it was on that basis we took him on. Again no money changed hands.

For the latest two we paid puppy money plus the cost of healthchecks and in both cases are delighted with what we've got! Both dogs have bonded well with us and are part of the family. They were both taken on on the basis that we offer homes for life and both the original owners have requested first refusal in the unlikely event that we couldn't keep them. I can honestly say that I don't look on these dogs any differently to those we have had since pups.

Much as we like having pups around, for us it is not always practical but the opportunity to take on older dogs suits us fine. Perhaps we have been lucky with these dogs or perhaps our way with dogs lends itself to this approach, I don't know. I do know that without pro, semi-pro and your average Joe moving these dogs on, our lives would have been the poorer, so thank you to them all.

On the flip side, could I sell/give away an older dog? Probably not but I am not in business to do so. It is a fact of life that animals of all kinds do not make the grades imposed on them by humans but it is what we then do with those animals that defines us. I have far more respect for someone honestly saying why they do not want to keep the animal and selling or giving it away to a home where it will serve a useful purpose, be that work or pet. Better that by far than being left in a kennel or worse.

Sarah xx

[beth.james]

Are you seriously telling me that dog should be left in the kennel although given exercise and food to hardly ever be used, can you not see it is a much better life to be passed onto someone who is say a rough shooter, who doesn't need a world class FTCH retriever or spaniel and just needs a reliable dog for themselves. The dog then gets to work all season, may be the only dog and get a loving family and enjoys a much better quality or life and the trialler is happy knowing that even though they raised the dog from a pup that they have gone to a home to enjoy a good life and get worked like they should

I think sometimes people need to consider whats best for the dog and disregard the emotional attachment.

Well said... Will PM you to prevent topic going off track

[criso69]

To be honest, i think it can be a good thing as long as they go to good homes, if i new someone close to me was giving a ess away free to a good home an she was trained i would take her to come beating with me an my other dog (have to get the wifes permission first like )

chris

[Alice]

I understand what Ollie's saying, but to give away a dog that isn't what you need, for whatever reason, isn't to treat it like a comodity- you can pass a dog on without being heartless or not caring about it, and it's ridiculous to call someone who doesn't keep a dog for its whole life irresponsible.

My OH was given his first springer as friends of friends heard about the death of his lurcher and had a spare pup left. It's just being in the right place at the right time.

On the other side of the coin,I would have given away several of my cocker's pups, had I been able to have any of her - one to her breeder, as they lost her mother in a tragic accident, and at least one to an old keeper friend without who has helped me and my OH an immesurable amount with the dogs.

[naustin]

I know of a guy in my area who did run some trials etc and if a young dog was not good enough to win - too slow etc he moved it on. They made great general shooting dogs though.

I get too attached to do this, especially when you've trained for a couple of years.

Nigel.

[ollie]

i wasn't trying to start an argument!!, just simply giving my op, i understand why it happens! sorry if i offended anyone, it wasn't intended that way. each to their own

[Stacia]

Don't worry Ollie, it was an interesting post and don't forget that offence is only how the other person feels when non is intended, only ourselves can put ourselves down

Just wish someone had given me a nice gundog, I had to pay for mine

Jelinga

[Lloyd90]

i wasn't trying to start an argument!!, just simply giving my op, i understand why it happens! sorry if i offended anyone, it wasn't intended that way. each to their own

No offence taken pal, just an opinion.