Let's pretend--if you're not one already--that you breed dogs mainly for protection work. What kind of person would you feel very very comfortable giving a dog to? How much experience should they have? Experience in what? What kind of personality would you prefer they have? What approach to dog training in general? What kind of person would you absolutely NOT give a dog to?

since we're pretending.....
I dont think that Id require experience, just enthusiasm and knowledge. someone who is into gentle leaders and no prong or e collars would be vetoed by me, as well as someone who thought that the dog, being an animal should be happy outside all the time or who indicates that they use "primitive" methods...i.e. yelling, etc. (I know thats termed abuse now but alot of those people think they are comunicating effectivly)
If they showed that they hadnt researched working dogs, and werent aware of what they were getting I would at least make them hold off.
I think that working homes are ideal, but they would at least have to be planning to work with the dog throughout its life, not just "complete" obedience training and then never teach a new thing again...
basicly the type of person who is on this forum
interested in their pet like they are their child, always wanting to learn more...
Im no breeder, and I am an idealist :smile:

I am not a breeder, but I would never sell any dog, especially a dog for protection, to the type of person who loves to show off how tuff his/her dog is and is determined to make them "Tuff". I am very inexperienced, but I would not believe this is in the best interests of the dog. I would not sell a dog, or even give a dog to someone who wanted their property protected, but had no interest in dogs in general, and just wanted to tie the dog up outside and let it protect its property without any interaction. Unfortunately, I have met people with dogs who feel this way. The ones who want to show how tuff their dogs are that I have known have treated their dogs poorly and in fact believe treating their dogs poorly will make them even more tuff. ANd I have gone to peoples houses and seen the lone dog, tied up to a dog house, water bowl empty, and looking very lonely. I have asked them about their dog and they really had no connection to them and just said, its not a pet, we just want it to protect the property. (which isn't a bad thing-protection) but when asked if he is friendly, they say, we don't know, we just feed em, he seems ok. So sad for the dog, I usually try and get them to change their perspective or get rid of the dog to a good home.
Since I am inexperienced I am sure it is hard to determine who these type of people are. But if I had any idea they were like this, I wouldn't sell to them. As I am sure none of you would either.
Just my inexpienced opinion.

Any prospective owner that says the words "Fur Kid" is immediately shown the door.
I don't care how far they drove to see me, those words end any possibility of a sale cold.

 Quote: will rambeau

Any prospective owner that says the words "Fur Kid" is immediately shown the door.
I don't care how far they drove to see me, those words end any possibility of a sale cold.

So glad I'm not the only one. For some reason those two words really bother me. Combine that with a baby voice and I fly into a seething, frothing rage.

I assume we're talking about puppies? If so I'd want to make sure that they understand the drives these dogs have and how these drives can make an average pet owner very unhappy especially during puppyhood. If they are dogs bred primarily for protection work then they are going to chew, dig, scratch and bite everything they can including the owner.

So the owner would need to be experienced with higher drive dogs and understand how to satisfy those drives.

"What approach to dog training in general? What kind of person would you absolutely NOT give a dog to?" Someone who is only planning on locking the dog up somewhere to guard property or someone who just gives me bad vibes in general. Not to mention, I would never just "give" a dog to someone if that's what you were implying. Free things usually have no value to people.

LOL, I too hate the "fur kid" type

-I also wouldn't sell a pup to one who will train and title the dog and when done with that, be done with the dog. I hate that, I know people who will show or work a dog and then when they are happy with the titles or breed accomplishments, the dog paces in a run for the rest of its life.

-if they baby talk to the dogs, I even hate it when people do that to babies

If they show you pics of past dogs and their kids hugging, toss em!

 Quote: will rambeau

Any prospective owner that says the words "Fur Kid" is immediately shown the door.

By you or by Fetz???

Competency. Something most people are lacking.

Some people learn, and need to start somewhere.

Some people just never get it and will forever be struggling with the basics.

Some people feel like they get it, but they really don't.