I used to be like, "Aaaaahhhh!!!!! No!!!" But I've calmed down a bit recently. :rofl1:
Even so, I find that many co-own terms don't suit me. I will not own a dog, house it, trial it, vet it, etc, but be required to show it on MY dime, have zero breeding rights, etc. That's crazy. I'm just boarding somebody else's dog for them, then. LOL. Especially if I paid full price for it.
Now, when co-owns benefit both parties, and both parties are like-minded, I think they can be a very good thing. Sort of, "with our powers combined" situation. My friend has a male Frenchie out on a co-own. She shows him for them at no charge, houses him for shows, etc. Basically she swallows all expenses related to showing him, though I think his owner pays entry fees. Honestly though, those are the least of any costs relating to showing. I believe she retains the right to approve any breedings as well, which is fair enough. It works for them because the owner breeds working line Rotts and shows them in German style shows. He wanted a show quality Frenchie but didn't feel up to stepping into the AKC ring.
I just think it's a situation that needs to be approached cautiously. I have seen co-owns used to make people bend over backwards for the breeder. Usually these are the same breeders that like to make you jump through hoops and lick their shoes to get a dog (and are proud of it). I'm not doing that, lol. I'm a **** good home so if you have a nice dog for me, great! I'm happy to answer your questions and meet you and work out mutually agreeable terms, but ultimately I have some lines I won't cross. A crazy co-own that doesn't benefit me in anyway is one of those lines.
That said, with the right person I would co-own in a heartbeat! *shrug* I really think it's situational and very personal.
Contracts of any kind used to make me squirrelly, tbh, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I like to think I've matured a little bit and I can see their place in the world. I agreed to sign ABMC-R's adoption contract for Blossom, not because I had to but because I recognized a mutual desire to protect her and I appreciated that they were willing to extend their safety net to her. The "give in" on my part was that she needed to be spayed, but I found a way to make that work for everybody as well.
I suppose it's really all about having mutual goals and a willingness to compromise. If I felt those conditions weren't present, I would not agree to a co-own.