Breeders, is this right?

[Red_ACD_for_me]

My ACD's breeder is placing her #1 "stud" male who is the father of my boy. I know the dog sired about 4 of her very first ACD litters. I had emailed her and asked why she is placing him and she said because the gene pool for ACD's being so small that she needs to make room for other prospects. She only keeps a small quantity of dogs about 7 bitches and 3 studs and has 1 or 2 litters a year. She does all the health testing and shows her dogs. So is that wrong to place and make room for others

[wolfsoul]

For a common breed, using the same stud over and over isn't a big deal. For something less common, it's best to keep the gene pool varied. Whether or not a breeder places a dog is really a personal preference, personally I won't be placing my boy when he is retired. But I know plenty of people that would, even if the breed IS common.

[jdthepug]

So is that wrong to place and make room for others

I know several great breeders who, when done breeding and/or showing their dogs, place them into pet homes.

I also know breeders who, when done breeding and/or showing their dogs, keep them because they have an attachment to them, and they just don't have the quality of life that they would have had if placed in a good pet home. I rather see a dog placed in a home where it will be one of one or one of a few, rather than one of many.

Its not uncommon at all, some will place in another home or part of the country so they have a chance to add those genes to their bloodlines/gene pool.

[tempura tantrum]

Placing a retired dog in a pet home is really quite common- and I think, in some of the larger programs, is a really good idea.

A lot of the times these animals were fabulous show dogs used to being the center of attention. They don't take retirement too well, and end up feeling rather left out. Placement in a pet home allows the world to revolve around them once more. I think it's a great idea, although when I begin my program, I doubt I'll ever make it big enough to have this be an issue.

And it really does help out the gene pool.

My own breeder has done this with a few of her more prolific studs, and believe me- the whole Shiba fancy benefited from it. Some of her old hands: Cutter, Tetsu, Genta- have really helped a LOT of breeders step it up. *Especially* because not everyone has the money or the connections to import great dogs from Japan.

[stevinski]

if shes getting new prospects then she most likely wont have the time for him anymore,

if she feels he'll be better in another home then thats fine

the only problem would be if she gave him to a shelter