Zip Tie

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by SaraB

I think the availability of a vastectomy would hinder that option. Like I said (or maybe I didn't, can't remember!), any agreement will be open for discussion and I'm actually really fond of writing up individual contracts for each puppy buyer based on the situations. I have no problem with people waiting until the appropriate time to neuter/spay as I tend to wait until at least 16 months with my dogs.

Their life spans are awesome! Zip Tie's grandad is 16 years old, I believe. The Toolalla dogs also are incredibly long lived. The best part? They keep working for the majority of their lives.

I kind of thought so. I've read it is becoming more popular, so maybe at some point it will be a better option. I never know what it's like out there in the "real world." Living in small town Alaska, I see people in other states talking about "just take your dog to XYZ specialist," etc. We just don't have that here, so sometimes I think everyone else has all sorts of great resources! I had to drive Zoe for three hours and get a hotel for two nights to get her TPLO done.

Their lifespans and long working careers sounds like exactly what I want in a dog. Granted, working would be running, hiking, and dog sports, not a "job," but I definitely want a dog that can keep up for many, many years. After all the stress of having a big dog, I decided I needed something with a better chance at a longer lifespan next (even though at nearly ten years old, the people in my nosework class thought Zoe was barely an adult!) Of course, then I fell in love with the Lundehund. Figures. We'll see where life takes me. Maybe right into a crazy herder some day! I need a little variety where I can get it.