I am wondering what happens to pure bred pups that are not selected to be sold because of some defect.
temperament - gun shy - markings or what ever the reason. I understand spaying theses animals to keep an unwanted trait from being continued -- but what happens to them? i might be interested in a dog that's not perfect. My girl friend reminds me that i am lest than perfect.... on a regular basis -- although she hasn't tried to neuter me so far.
Like a VDD that dosn't make all the field requirements.... are they sold as wirehairs?
Just asking. Lee

Buck is a purebred yellow lab- I'm not sure what his original story was since I adopted him when he was 1 1/2 years old. He isn't a perfect hunter but more than makes up for it otherwise, I couldn't ask for a friendlier dog.

He's five years old now and we're very ready for chasing birds together again this fall.

A reputable breeder who produces a pup with some form of minor defect generally will sell them at greatly reduced prices after spaying or neutering, sometimes without papers. Many sell them as potential service dogs if they possess the proper traits.
If for some reason they can't sell they will donate them to various organizations or place them in a Lab rescue.
Show dogs strive for perfection and are discarded for the littlest defect whereas sporting dogs would only get passed if there are undesirable traits which are needed for hunting. Many great dogs are sold as washout dogs only because of some fault that prevents them from competing at higher levels and are great finds if you keep a look out for them

Labs and certain othet breeds generally go to good homes and they will still make great house or hunting dogs. The unfortunate animals who are undesirable breeds or of unknown origin or deplaying undesirable traits or have been untrained have a poor chance of getting adopted.

I worry a lot of working dogs are put down if not selected. the working dog business is a big business in Europe. Most dogs sold are 1 year old with the right drive. Dog that are not selected are not puppies and have no economic value - my fear is they are out down. I hope there is a placement program for them but I doubt it.

Mike

I can't speak for bird hunting type dogs, but if they're hog dogs, most of them get shot. Same for cattle dogs, if they don't work cattle, they are dead. I'm not condoning the process, but many of these guys are barely keeping their head above water economically, and they won't feed a dog who doesn't work, period.

Europeans are very tough on breeding dogs to a standard, if they don't make it, they are likely put down.

quote:

Originally posted by kaprota:
I am wondering what happens to pure bred pups that are not selected to be sold because of some defect.
temperament - gun shy - markings or what ever the reason. I understand spaying theses animals to keep an unwanted trait from being continued -- but what happens to them? i might be interested in a dog that's not perfect. My girl friend reminds me that i am lest than perfect.... on a regular basis -- although she hasn't tried to neuter me so far.
Like a VDD that dosn't make all the field requirements.... are they sold as wirehairs?
Just asking. Lee

If you're looking for a cheap bird dog, just ask around at gun clubs, etc and you might find one. OTOH, unless it is already trained, by the time you either train him yourself or hire someone to do it, you'd likely be better off finding a good but less expensive puppy out of good parents.

If you're looking for a companion, not necessarily a hunter, look at the pounds in your area. Many labs wind up in them, for example.

In our wonderful country, fetuses get worse treatment than dogs..... especially the unwanted ones...

quote:

Pups that are not selected