Questions about breeding and microchipping

AlfiesMum

I met a man while walking Alfie who i have met twice before and each time he has commented on Alfie being an expensive dog Confused

I thought it was an odd comment to make.

Anyway yesterday i met him again and he had his alsatian and black lab with him and again he said "corr i bet he was expensive" and then told me he'd had labradors for over 35 years now and he takes them shooting etc

He then told me that i should consider getting Alfie's hips tested (although he said by looking at him, he didn't think he'd have any problems with his hips, are you able to tell just by looking?) and using him as a stud dog as he's a gorgeous dog with a lovely chunky head and his pups would be worth alot of money Confused

so he advised me not to have him castrated. I always thought that breeders need to do alot of research before even thinking of breeding or does that just apply to the owner of the bitch? Confused

I'm sure i read somewhere that dogs used as stud dogs weren't often kept as pets because it affects their personality or have i got that completely wrong?

Alfie then stopped playing with his dogs and ran over to him and he gave him lots of attention and then told me again that he must be worth quite alot of money now and was asking about his pedigree.

What worries me is that there's alot of dog theft and although i'm sure he was just being friendly, i'm worried that while he was stroking Alfie he could've also been checking for a tattoo or microchip, is it possible to feel if they have a micro-chip?

I got Alfie as a family pet and not to breed him and make any money from him so i was sure i would be having him castrated soon as he's able to be done and at the same time the vet said she'd microchip him, is this what you would advise me to still do? and will castrating him change his personality?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions Smile

dexterslab · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject:

Hmmm.. all sounds a bit odd Confused

I personally wouldn't take any breeding advice from someone who seems so interest in the cost and profits of puppies!!!!!

I have read that it is difficult to keep a stud dog as a pet, and it can bring about a change in their personality - don't know much about it though!! I also think any person considering using their dog as stud would do a lot of research into pedigrees etc, and only offer their dog to a bitch that they thought suitable and worthy. At the end of the day the resulting pups are just as much their responsibility as the bitch's owners'.

One of the reasons I got Dexter neutered was because a few people had asked about using him to breed from, and I was terrified of him being pinched!!! Other factors were involved in the decision too, and this was just my choice - there's no rule saying you have to have them neutered if not breeding from them.

Sorry to sound cynical, but I don't like the sound of this man's intentions!!

~Clare

sue51 · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:13 pm Post subject:

I would be extremely wary ofthis man; aside from anything else, dogs used for stud, generally need to have excelled in the ring / field and have something special to offer the breed.

On the Microchipping front, if he is out and about you should get it done ASAP, there is no need to wait until he has an op. The process literally takes seconds, and will not hurt Alfie.

Cant help on personalities after castration, sorry, but know there will be lots of members here who can.

Sue

_Mary_ · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:36 pm Post subject:

I agree with Clare, you don`t breed just to make money out of the pups, this man sounds suspicious to me, personally I`d get Alfie chipped asap, failing that tattooed, thats visible whereas a chip is`nt.

Allowing a dog to brred can change their personality I`ve heard, I`m sure on of those in the know will be able to tell you though, apart from the fact that once he`s tasted sex I imagine he`s going to want more and will go looking for it. Smile

mommy · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:01 am Post subject:

I agree with all the above, especially Sue....if you are aware and worried about theft, your pup should not be running free. Simple as that.

My first thought was this man was familiarising himself with Alfie...a friend...no one to be scared of...someone Alfie would happily run too??!!!!

Be more than cautious, chip ASAP anyway although it can't be felt it is still a safeguard... BUT a tattoo can be seen straight away and if Alfie had one then should this man's intentions be less than honourable then a visable tattoo would make him lose interest immediatly !

Chip and Pin - don't become a statistic...sorry sounds harsh but speak from experience Wink

AlfiesMum · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks, i appreciate your opinions and advice. I will be seeing the vet about getting him chipped, i wanted to get him done from day 1 but my old vet said they don't do it to the puppys because it's too painful so they usually wait till they're at least 6 months old Confused

Also does anyone know how i can find out where i can get Alfie tattooed? do the vets do this too?

I won't be breeding from him, i was just asking the questions because i was curious about what that man said and if he was right. He also said that all pedigree dogs have a "white swirl" on their chest and he said Alfie has one but when i looked i can't see it Confused

Is he wrong about that too? Laughing

Fay · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

Ive never heard of the white swirl?? Confused

Fay · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject:

This is the link Rhoni posted, when she had Tilly tatooed Very Happy

http://www.dog-register.co.uk/

lablover · Account Deactivated

Hi Alfiesmum
Take what this man says with a pinch of salt and be careful - it's not uncommon to be approached by such people with pound signs in their eyes - particularly as you have a chocolate lab. His reference to him being expensive is telling, as the price is probably the least reliable indicator of quality anyway. It does sound suspicious, although it may be that he simply has designs on using him on one of his bitches at a later date, thinking of all those chocolate puppies he can sell Rolling Eyes

I must admit I've never heard of delaying the microchipping and would get him done straight away
Have a look here for a tattooist near you
National Dog Tattoo Register
regards
Jenny

lablover · Account Deactivated

Oops sorry Fay didn't realise you'd posted.

Re alll pedigree dogs have a white swirl????? mmmm....

The breed standard is for solid colour, but does allow for a small white spot on the chest (and mine does have this) - again take with a very large pinch of salt Wink