Every dog fancier has to make decisions periodically regarding who is staying and who is going so each dog has a great life and has the chance to fulfill their potential. Most of us make great pets out of each show dog so regardless of their status in the show ring they are also our companions so it is very tough to move a dog on when they are no longer being shown. Many folks just give up the hobby, it is a hobby that lasts for many five years, that is the average number of years a person stays in the dog fancy. I have now been breeding and showing dogs for 34 years, starting at age 16 so yep- that makes me errr- an elder at this. Somehow turning 50 and talking about it seems okay this month. Maybe because it has been another year full of surprises? Age doesn’t matter in this hobby and experience should matter- but some years are harder then others. So this is what I now have in my house:

One VERY large male black Lab with beautiful conformation and a sound but somewhat whimpy mind, Bart is now three and 24.5 inches at the shoulder. - Too big for my taste although still in the standard- he is huge- I worry about small females being bred to these over sized males, it is too much sexual dimorphism- our males are not supposed to be so much taller and heavier then the girls, Bart should go- but he is my husbands dog!

One 18 month old that x-rayed fair at 10 months, I don’t breed fairs, just don’t and after another x-ray she is dysplastic. She is doing fine and I will take one more picture of her hips at age two but she is now spayed and will likely go live with a family member, my first case of hip dysplasia in 18 years in Labradors (and over 10 litters).

One VERY tiny black female, Becca is now a year and measures 19 inches at the shoulder, too small for showing. It is a great size for agilty or any dog sport although I bet she would have trouble carrying a big goose- they need to be a little bigger for those big birds!

ONe VERY nice healthy six month old puppy that I will run on.

The dog fancy isn’t called the heartbreak hobby for no reason- it will be hard to place three of four dogs but that will allow me to continue in the hobby, show the pup and perhaps add a new blood line or pup eventually. This hobby for me is about improving the breed with each generation, if a dog I am keeping is not going to do that and will not be worked or given enough attention here then it is only fair to sell them. It is very hard to tell with a pup if they will turn out or not so I make my best guess but sometimes they need homes as adults. Labradors make the adjustment easily (I can’t imagine having to rehome Chow-Chows for instance!) and the good news about all of this is after seeing how well they adjust I know there is always the perfect home out there for each dog. The benefits of an older dog are many, they are easier to train and you know the health status as well as temperament! Each dog is unique and so is each family, if you are interested in an older dog to add to your family please contact me at harward@ojia.net.