Question for you all...
I have 6 dogs. 3 are intact, 3 are spayed. Before we got into competition we had three dogs. Two were only pet quality, and the third is the one that got me infected with the bug. (You know, that one where you spend every weekend traveling the country with your dog, paying money to earn ribbons and titles!)
Since then, we have decided that this is what we want to do with all of our free time. Dogs! So we have added three more dogs to our family. All are of exceptional quality. One did not work out, and we had her spayed. So we now have three pets. I am not adverse to competing with them... but, admittedly, they are lower down on my priority list to title.
Of our intact dogs we have 1 dog and 2 bitches. I would like to add a third bitch of breeding/competitive quality, from either another breeder or from one of my own breedings (about 18 months down the road). All of our dogs live inside with us. They are not a breed that can be kept outside, in any climate, and they are not a breed that can go without hourly human companionship.
We had discussed at one point placing some of our pets. I refuse to place my two pets, and my husband refuses to place his. So we're at a standstill there.
Can a person effectively care for, train and compete with 7 dogs in the household?? How about 8? 9? I know to a certain extent it is a personal decision, but, I'd like to hear what others have to say also.
Oh, average lifespan on Weims is 10-14. Mine are all fed raw, so I would extend that about two years, so I expect these dogs to be around for at least another ten years, if not longer. Boxers do not live anywhere as long, and she is poorly bred. We've already removed one MCT at 18 months (albeit benign). She is also fed raw, but ten years would be a ripe old age for her I believe. So, I don't predict losing any of our dogs from old age for at least another 7 years...
Thoughts....
I have 6 dogs. 3 are intact, 3 are spayed. Before we got into competition we had three dogs. Two were only pet quality, and the third is the one that got me infected with the bug. (You know, that one where you spend every weekend traveling the country with your dog, paying money to earn ribbons and titles!)
Since then, we have decided that this is what we want to do with all of our free time. Dogs! So we have added three more dogs to our family. All are of exceptional quality. One did not work out, and we had her spayed. So we now have three pets. I am not adverse to competing with them... but, admittedly, they are lower down on my priority list to title.
Of our intact dogs we have 1 dog and 2 bitches. I would like to add a third bitch of breeding/competitive quality, from either another breeder or from one of my own breedings (about 18 months down the road). All of our dogs live inside with us. They are not a breed that can be kept outside, in any climate, and they are not a breed that can go without hourly human companionship.
We had discussed at one point placing some of our pets. I refuse to place my two pets, and my husband refuses to place his. So we're at a standstill there.
Can a person effectively care for, train and compete with 7 dogs in the household?? How about 8? 9? I know to a certain extent it is a personal decision, but, I'd like to hear what others have to say also.
Oh, average lifespan on Weims is 10-14. Mine are all fed raw, so I would extend that about two years, so I expect these dogs to be around for at least another ten years, if not longer. Boxers do not live anywhere as long, and she is poorly bred. We've already removed one MCT at 18 months (albeit benign). She is also fed raw, but ten years would be a ripe old age for her I believe. So, I don't predict losing any of our dogs from old age for at least another 7 years...
Thoughts....