I have been offered the opportinuty to 'co-own' a GSD with a local breeder. This will be a male and will be used as a stud providing he turns out as hoped. Just thought I'd get some thoughts on this from the people here. The pups aren't due till early December. To me it sounds like a great way to get a good/great dog and just want to know if there's anything I should be aware of.

 Quote: Patty Macleod

I have been offered the opportinuty to 'co-own' a GSD with a local breeder. This will be a male and will be used as a stud providing he turns out as hoped. Just thought I'd get some thoughts on this from the people here. The pups aren't due till early December. To me it sounds like a great way to get a good/great dog and just want to know if there's anything I should be aware of.

What if the dog is not breeding quality?

Who trains/houses/exercises/feeds?

Who decides on vet care? Vaccinations and feeding program? Who decides on the training?

Haven't done anything formal yet, so far the dog is no cost, the breeder is not charging. The dog would be living with me and if it is not suitable for breeding I get the dog..no charge. Nothing has been set down in a contract or on paper yet. I plan on getting together with the breeder and discuss this further once the pups arrive

NO WAY! I work for the AKC and I deal with co-ownership/contract disputes every day! The co-owners start off all friendly and nice, next thing you know they are threatening each other, thn threatening me cuz they can't get want they want, etc.
It can get very ugly. The AKC does not even recommend co-ownerships. As an employee, if I were to purchase an AKC dog, I wouldn't even be allowed to co-own one, not that I ever would.

 Quote: Kristen Shepherd

NO WAY! I work for the AKC and I deal with co-ownership/contract disputes every day! The co-owners start off all friendly and nice, next thing you know they are threatening each other, thn threatening me cuz they can't get want they want, etc.
It can get very ugly. The AKC does not even recommend co-ownerships. As an employee, if I were to purchase an AKC dog, I wouldn't even be allowed to co-own one, not that I ever would.

Kristen, this was what I had hoped to illuminate with my questions..... the fact that it would be a very complicated arrangement, totally unlike, say, co-owning real estate (complicated enough).

JMO. I'm with you.

I agree. I know myself well enough to admit that I am way to much of a "control-freak" when it comes to things like that. Not to mention, wouldn't that possibly be difficult for the dog? I guess it would depend on the arrangement, but I could never "share" a dog with anyone. I think that my controlling nature is good when it comes to training (I have no problem asserting myself to be a pack leader), but bad when it comes to taking someone else's wants into consideration when it comes to raising/owning a pet. JMO.

From a breeder's perspective, we've done "breeder's contracts" with trusted folks with our potential breeding females. Essentially we own the dog and cover expenses, but foster it out to someone so the pup can grow up in a loving home. We usually ask that the dog have two to three litters (by our stud, of course), and at the end of this obligation ownership reverts, in full, and at no cost, to the foster home. If this dog turns out to NOT be breeding potential, or has a difficult first litter, or for some other reason can not fulfill our hopes in this arrangement, ownership STILL reverts to the foster home at no cost, in full as soon as the dog is spayed (part of the deal). Everything is spelled out very clearly, in writing, and usually to the foster's benefit. We just feel that it's much better for a puppy to grow up in a good home than in a kennel, while still being able to contribute to the breeding program. It can work very well if it's done right. I agree that most of the time, co-ownership, as opposed to a foster-care arrangement, can get dicey

 Quote: Kristel Smart

... I agree that most of the time, co-ownership, as opposed to a foster-care arrangement, can get dicey

Yes, very different.

I am currently fostering a dog for a breeder and am happy with the arrangement so far. The female is living with me and under my name for ownership. Whether or not she will have puppies is depending on how her hips turn out, etc. She is a valuable dog and from excellent lines. I don't forsee any problems, I just hope communication stays good with the breeder.

Just make sure you ask a LOT of questions and get things in writing. If your not sure about something ASK first and don't assume.

At least the stud dog doesn't have to go through having the puppies and staying with the breeder for extended lengths of time "away" from home.

Lisa

We have a kennel here that does the same thing where the females get fostered out. As long as everything is in writing, I would think it would be okay.