I read somewhere in a German article, that once a dog no longer compete, he is no longer illegible to breed, on a schutzhund level. Don't now either way. Yes I would like to breed my male. He is just awesome. and the female thing I got in my mind is also a protection thing I have going on. Dan

Wow, science what a thing? thanks Melissa

I am not a breeder, but Im almost sure that preliminary x rays can be done at a year, and the dog can be x rayed and rated once growth is complete. I could be completely wrong. You should look at the websites for both OFA and Penn Hip to find out for sure.

Maybe you could find a good breeder to mentor you in the process, there is also lots of info on this site about breeding.

From a different recent post you mentioned that this little guy might turn out to be a tough one. Trust me, even if he seems manageable enough now that you think you could raise another dog, when he hits the 8 month mark you might start to feel a little overwhelmed.

My girl is now almost 17 months, and all the little obnoxious challenges that I have squashed over time keep popping back up for another test. And while she is without a doubt a "hard" dog, she is no where near being a candidate for PPD or anything. She is a full time job.

You really have to stay on top of these guys!

Al, I really know that you mean that. good luck. Dan

Lauren, are you implying that it could get worse? I know, and I just been following advices from the board, like keep his mouth busy and remember he is just a pup.

I found out that he has been sandbagging me. We go for two to four miles walks, two hours my pace. As we got home the other day I decided to water the front lawn by hand, wow and behold, this pup started chasing the water with out stop. and I was feeling sorry for him on our walks. I am the one hurting for days

Another tool that has been helping me is my scooter, early mornings and late evenings and once or twice at night, he jogs and I chair, LOL Then we have our five minutes training sessions as the heat permits.

You mention "You have to keep on top these guy's" How many do you have? Thanks for those sites, I will look them up. Dan

 Quote: danilo a. nelson

I found out that he has been sandbagging me. We go for two to four miles walks, two hours my pace. As we got home the other day I decided to water the front lawn by hand, wow and behold, this pup started chasing the water with out stop. and I was feeling sorry for him on our walks.

It's amazing what "play" will bring out of a dog. It's brutally hot here these days, and we excercise our mutts early in the morning. They come back with tongues hanging, wanting a nap. Give them a few minutes to lay down and recover, then one dog looks at the other and BAM, the switch is turned back on and they are in a free-for-all for the next 20 minutes. We have to restrict their activity in the heat of the day so they don't get too hot, but I guess what we see is that a second dog gets SO MUCH MORE ACTIVITY out of dog #1 that it is incredible.

This is a GREAT question for a thread, Danilo! I've often wondered the same thing. It's good to hear from the experts on this one. (Oh, and btw, the "bird dog" people basically say the same thing. Don't bring in another dog until 18-24 months when dog #1 is essentially mature, and somewhat trained. Now, I know for a fact that folks have put dogs together much earlier than that, and have even successfully trained two or more young dogs essentially the same age. Those folks were very accomplished trainers - essentially pros - who know just how much "dogginess" is acceptable while maintaining training goals.)

Hi Rob, good to hear from you. I give in to the majority on this one, they know what they are talking about. two years or close to it as I can stand it.(Smile). Rob, It is a macho thing, plus it looks very good having a pack well behave and control, plus the defensive side of it. the truth is I have my hands full right now. the dog, and plants, wore me out. Plants? furthest thing from my mind, but as the hand you are dealt, you play, and play to win. I am developing a rose garden. plus the inside plants. I am poop. Dan

 Quote: Danilo A. Nelson

I am poop. Dan

You are too hard on yourself, Dan. I would never call you poop!!!

You might be POOPED as in very tired, but I would never say you are poop! You are way too nice of a guy!

Thank you for making me chuckle...

It totally gets harder.

Puppies are easy. Teenagers are HELL.

This is such a good thread, glad it was done!