Starting young

[skipper]

That all depends on what kind of space I got atm. But I will wait until they are 3yo. I don't necessarily keep the dog here at all times. If not started up by that age I usually sell them as pets or give them away to friends. I don't see any dogs as waste of time or money. I can put every dog to a different use, even if I have no use for it. A cold dog could work perfect using as a "playmate" when conditioning other dogs. He could be a perfect pet for a friend of mine or a family member. Might do well as a guard dog or a weight pulling dog. The only dog that I put down are a dog that either bites or quits. Otherwise I find a use for every dog.

[OGDOGG]

That all depends on what kind of space I got atm. But I will wait until they are 3yo. I don't necessarily keep the dog here at all times. If not started up by that age I usually sell them as pets or give them away to friends. I don't see any dogs as waste of time or money. I can put every dog to a different use, even if I have no use for it. A cold dog could work perfect using as a "playmate" when conditioning other dogs. He could be a perfect pet for a friend of mine or a family member. Might do well as a guard dog or a weight pulling dog. The only dog that I put down are a dog that either bites or quits. Otherwise I find a use for every dog.

You have a lot of patience for these dogs Skipper. So at 3 years of age they begin their career and then 1 contract per year after that. Wouldn't they be too old to be shown after 5 years of age? I just think if they start later than 2 years old it's gonna be hard for them to become a title dog, wouldn't you think?

[skipper]

You have a lot of patience for these dogs Skipper. So at 3 years of age they begin their career and then 1 contract per year after that. Wouldn't they be too old to be shown after 5 years of age? I just think if they start later than 2 years old it's gonna be hard for them to become a title dog, wouldn't you think?

Yes I have. Not every dog I have starts at 3. I start looking at 18 months. Wont touch them before that. Most of mine are started by 18 months. But if I have to wait, I will. Some of the best dogs I've seen were late starters and well worth the wait. To be honest with you I rather have a dog I waited for, a 1 or 2xer than buried in the ground with no wins or offsprings. If lucky there are more then 1 contract per year and hound. But if not, I really don't care. I want quality before titles. I've seen many dogs with titles pack it in early against non titled dogs. And when I say titles I mean CH at least.

[FrostyPaws]

One question. Why would a dog that begins their career at 3 years old only be able to perform one contract per year?

[prairiedog]

I'm wondering the same thing. What's limiting the dog to one per year?

[OGDOGG]

I'm wondering the same thing. What's limiting the dog to one per year?

Not all dogs will perform the same. Some are Aces and others are average. Don't ever expect your dog to go in and perform like an Ace. There's a saying "every dog has his day" and that's exactly what I expect every time I campaign my dogs. I always expect the worst case senerio for them. If that's the case they will need the extra rest to heal their body 6-8 month then campaign again and by then it'll be at the end of the year already. That's just me. If you do it differently then more power to ya. I learn this through trial and error so it's not something I just made up.

[skipper]

One question. Why would a dog that begins their career at 3 years old only be able to perform one contract per year?

Both Chinaman and Honeybunch were late starters, and starter their carreers late. Thank good their were waited for.

[FrostyPaws]

Both Chinaman and Honeybunch were late starters, and starter their carreers late. Thank good their were waited for.

Honeybunch wasn't what I'd call a late starter. She didn't start the first time when tried, and she looked bad enough that some folks thought she should've been culled. She won her first show before she was 3 years of age, so I wouldn't call that a late starter personally.

But again, what does a dog that begins a career at the age of three have to do with limiting that dog to one contract per year? I don't see the correlation between the two. The amount of contracts a dog has per year is based upon the amount of damage an animal would take within a contract, the amount of time it takes to recover, and the skills and judgement the owner has in knowing when the animal is ready for another.

[skipper]

Honeybunch wasn't what I'd call a late starter. She didn't start the first time when tried, and she looked bad enough that some folks thought she should've been culled. She won her first show before she was 3 years of age, so I wouldn't call that a late starter personally.

OK my bad. I thought she started at 3 years old.

[OGDOGG]

Yes I have. Not every dog I have starts at 3. I start looking at 18 months. Wont touch them before that. Most of mine are started by 18 months. But if I have to wait, I will. Some of the best dogs I've seen were late starters and well worth the wait. To be honest with you I rather have a dog I waited for, a 1 or 2xer than buried in the ground with no wins or offsprings. If lucky there are more then 1 contract per year and hound. But if not, I really don't care. I want quality before titles. I've seen many dogs with titles pack it in early against non titled dogs. And when I say titles I mean CH at least.

I like the way you plan out your dogs career Skipper. You are right about Qualities before title. And there are a lot of dogmen who are not as patience as you and will ruin their dogs including myself. I'm glad I had this conversation with you about starting young. It made me think of all the good dogs i had who couldve been better, if i had waited until they were fully matured. I guess good things do come to those who waited. Thanks for your words of wisdom Skipper.