I think any dog feels trauma being ripped away from what it knows
I think guide dogs are a little more conditioned to that as they get used to moving around homes a little, and when they are working they still get moved to other homes when the person is on holiday
From what I have seen even tho the dogs bounce back - some in a fairly short time - every dog suffers when it is rehomed
That is what the honeymoon period is - the dog adjusting to its new life. Some dogs honeymoon period is a week or so some can be over a year

A friend of mine has a dog who right from a puppy stayed in several houses, stays with his parents a couple of days in the week, hers once a week, goes on holidays with them or the parents and stays with friends
He takes things in his stride because it is the norm, he has been socalised to dealing with lots of different houses
He would be pretty easy to rehome

My Ben is used to staying with me in many different locations, he is happy to stay anywhere - just so long as I am there, but he isnt happy in a strange place without me - because that is not what he is used to
So a dog who was bred in a show kennels, always in the same environment
It is going to be more traumatic to be moved - especially into a fireside house - because they have not been used different living environments

I think you've missed the point Ben Mc was trying to make. No-one is saying that it is necessarily better for guide dogs & other working dogs to be re-homed when they can no longer fulfil their role. Unfortunately the people that NEED these sort of dogs are not always in a position to keep a dog once it cannot do it's job. They have to get another dog otherwise their own quality of life will be compromised.

The difference with show dogs is that these dogs do no more that fulfil the owner's HOBBY ~ & that's all it is, a hobby! Nobody's quality of life is compromised because these hobbyists can no longer show a particular dog. Unlike a blind person who may be left house-bound or have their independence severely curtailed because their dog can no longer do its work, or a farmer unable to gather in & inspect his flock of sheep because his dog is no longer as active as it used to be. That's a very different kettle of fish to someone who just wants to win prizes for the way their dog looks!!

And whilst this thread started as the reasons why some people are anti-showing, one of the reasons is exactly because some people rehome (or call it discard!) their show dogs when they are no longer capable of winning prizes.

However, on reflection, perhaps the discarded show dogs would be better off in new homes if some of the people that show dogs think no more of their animals than to get rid of them because they won't be so successful at their hobby.

[QUOTE=Ben Mcfuzzylugs;1944032]My biggest problem is people saying that the fireside home is a better life for the dog so AFTER the dog is NO LONGER OF USE for the show person then they should be moved onto this better home

If the fireside home is better for the dogs then the dogs should be there NOW not when they are no use any more


Not better, just different.


Yes guide dogs are often passed on when they are too old to work. They have been used to working for different peopole and have been used to living in different homes
They have a job to do day in day out and the blind person is often not in a situation to be able to care for more dogs
But they NEED a new dog when their dog cannot work any more
Its not just a hobby

Well, I'm sure you'll be happy to know that, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of more dogs.

But that might be because, I've got enough usefull vision left in 1 eye, which means that I can manage that.

Which brings up another thing to consider, that like has already been mentioned dogs mean dif things to dif people, well guide dogs, mean dif things to dif guide dog owners.

In my case, whilst Nyle is usefull, he is not essential to me, in the way others guide dogs are to them, in the working sence. I can and have for many years more, coped without a guide dog, he just makes my life a bit easier, in certain areas.

For example, I don't take him out with me, when I'm taking my pet dog/s for a walk, as in that situation I'm perfectly able to get on with it myself.

However, stick me in a busy town/city centre, on market day, and you've got another situation entirely.

But getting back to the topic of rehoming, as I'm sure you'll prob want to know what I plan on doing with him, when he retires.

If at that time my lifestyle is that which means I can or do have a pet dog, then he will stay, if however, I don't have a pet dog/s, and don't feel that my lifestyle at the time would be right for one, then he'll be rehomed, simple.

It'd not be a choice I'd like to make, but if it is best that he goes, then so be it.

If you, or anyone else find me putting his well being above my own attachment to him, to be immoral, cruel, distastful etc, than you have your right to that opinion, but know that I care not for it.

This thread has gone slightly off topic as it is now discussing rehoming dogs that can no longer be shown or bred from, and that will always raise different opinions.

However, the question I was trying to find the answer to is why are some people anti dog showing and it transpires that the rehoming issue is the major reason, regardless of whether the anti section have exhibited at shows or not, so I suppose it does have a place within the thread.

My head is spinning, I have to admit, with all what's going on here and I do take on board the feelings of those people who believe that those who rehome their dogs because they are of no use to them in their hobby will, understandably, be up in arms about the situation.

At the end of the day I can only say that my dogs loved every minute of showing, they loved every minute of living with me, it must have upset them terribly when I left them at their new homes but, because the homes were cherry picked, they are all just as happy as they were with me.

No dog that has been living in kennels all its life, but has been socialised, will take long to settle into a fireside home, just ask the people that have taken them on, they will show you photos of them on their first night all snuggled up and thinking they have gone to heaven. House training might be an issue but they soon learn.

Just because I had to rehome mine once doesn't mean I would have to do it again, or would want to. If, when the time is right I get my new dog to show and he doesn't make the grade, he will stay with me as all others had in the years before my illness, I owned setters for over 25 years and all of them saw their days out with me until that fateful time 2 years ago.

I don't think the show homes that rehome are callous, maybe they don't love their dogs as deeply as we do, but I think they have the dogs interests at heart. I do realise however, they are also thinking of themselves as it frees up a space for an up and coming youngster, but would still rather the rehomed dog is going to seeits days out in comfort.

I must post on this and since I am not a breeder and do not show, I have no ax to grind.

Some wonderful posts here but like Jackbox has said, we have not answered the question of re-homing.

I can honestly say that the show- breeder I got my girl from many years ago wanted her to be re-homed so she could have the individual attention she deserved. She came into this house and didn't need a moment to adjust and was as happy as a lark. Of course she was only 3yrs old and maybe seven or eight yrs. could take a bit longer but they long for a home just their own. The breeders can't keep them all and most want the best for them. I am working with a breeder for a retired girl this summer and she said I can't give them all the attention they need and I do let some go when my numbers get too much and I can find a home, I know where they will be loved.

I know one of the posters above mentioned showing just to show off its looks. There may be two in a hundred where that is the case but they are out there looking for the best confirmation so the standard of their breed is not lost forever. Nine times out of ten, people show to breed and to better the breed. Do correct me anyone who shows if I am wrong on any of this. A hobby breeder in my opinion is one who doesn't make a business of it and in most cases goes in the hole showing but of course they could make a little profit also (one year and then nothing for two) but they are in it for the love of the breed.

Re-homing a rescue would take more time but they would certainly cherish and welcome the new home, I would think.

Thats a lovely post, we all know how you cared for your girl and the breeder certainly sounds like she had her best interests at heart. This is the point I have been trying to get across, that most times it works out to the benefit of the dog. Thank you for sharing your experience

[QUOTE=tazer;1944105] It's nice to hear from someone who has a guide dog & can put their perspective on this particular issue. And how lovely to hear that you will put your dog's well-being above your own attachment. I certainly don't find that cruel, immoral or distasteful, but find it very touching that you are thinking of his welfare. No doubt if & when that time comes, you will weigh up the options & consider what is in the best interests of your dog. It maybe that by then, your dog will be elderly, happy to have minimal exercise & want nothing more than a comfy bed, tasty food & the care & affection of the person he's very attached to. I hope, for both your sakes, that you would be able to keep him in those circumstances.

[quote=tazer;1944105] I dont have a problem with that - as I said you have a dog because you need one, when he is too old to work you will need another dog. If you are in the situation to keep him then that is fantastic. If you cant then I dont have a problem with you needing to rehome him
I am sorry if my post made it sound that way, I am against people having a HOBBY that means they take on dogs, use them and then dump them
Your situation is totaly different, and by the sounds of it you are not going to be taking the desicion lightly

[QUOTE=wilbar;1944121] Thanks.

He should retire when he is 9 aprox, so a few years left yet.

[QUOTE=Ben Mcfuzzylugs;1944132] Its ok, it was more to give you a bit of insight as to why I'm not outright condemning people for rehoming their dogs.

I know that you feel that rehoming a show dog and a guide dog is different, and yes to a degree you're correct. The reasons the dogs are being rehomed is different, buy the outcome for the dogs isn't.

I am not saying that I agree with large show kennels rehoming dogs after they've retired, just because, but if the owner of the dog, has thought long and hard about it, and feels that it is in the best interests of the now retired dog, then I'm not going to condemn them for it either.

The way I see it is this. To paraphrase Voltaire;

I may disapprove of what you do, but I will defend to the death your right to do it.

I do understand where you are coming from though believe me.