Re: Your views on breeding I agree with the agression behaviour, never should these dogs be re-homed. Thankfully Charlie is a soppy boy and so that's never been an issue. I also agree with the point of not saving a dog at all costs, whether it's medical or behavioural. I see all the time requests for money to save a dog with various medical conditions when the poor dog should be PTS to save it's pain. As for teaching dogs to walk on their back legs and wheels as replacements really upsets me. Put the money into dogs that can be rehomed as great pets. Also not sure about spending the funds to bring dogs over from different countries, that's another issue. Helen x
Re: Your views on breeding It's not just the shelters, I'm currently helping a friend with two young (18mnth) wolfhounds placed via a reputable rescue after being fostered. One of the pair is so scared of everything that she'll snap out of pure fright, which is simply not acceptable in any dog especially one as large as she is. We're socialising her as if she was a puppy - it's difficult with a full grown hound, everyone wants to talk to her - we're constantly amazed at the things she's apparently never seen; her first six months were with the breeder but she was ring shy (not surprised) so she was fostered out before finally being put out to rescue, she bonded with one other dog in kennels and it was decided that separating them was not a good idea; which is how my friend ended up with two. However, the good news is that she's making good progress and although she'll never be a bold girl I think she'll get there but if not then I'm not quite sure what my friend will do because I know she really doesn't want to split them up or to send them back. It's a problem that should have been identified and dealt with earlier. Back to the breeding. I'd go with the small breeder, breeding for themselves - that's where my girls come from and at the moment we have our fingers crossed as we're waiting to hear if the bitch has taken and if she has and all goes according to plan Juno's great - great niece, Maia's second cousin (or something like that!) will join our tribe at some time in the summer.
Re: Your views on breeding Kerryn, that is an excellent point, it's not just the rescue centres at fault but also some breeders. I really wish your friend good luck with her Hounds and with your help she will succeed. Helen x
