I got into dryland mushing for Elroy. He's the kind of dog that NEEDS to be active everyday and enjoys being given a task to do.

I think he would be a keen flyball enthusiast, but nowhere anywhere near us seems to do it. He' loves to run and pull so we decided to give mushing a try. El took to it like a duck to water! He even came second in his first competition with my daughter (which we just went along to for the fun of it and to meet fellow mushers).

We got into the sport FOR the dog, to give him an outlet and for HIS enjoyment.

"Should you get a dog just to do a hobby with?"
We kinda did. Getting into mushing I learnt alot more about nordic breeds and their needs. Working in a rescue, there was a husky how'd bounced from home to home and had been with us for a few months. We decided to foster him when our kennels were full and an emergancy case came in. Whilst fostering I encouraged him to pull in harness on walks etc and once his fitness was up we tried mushing him. He loved it!

I'd never have considered a breed or dog I couldn't have let offlead for a run (which this boy certainly can't) before getting into this sport. He now gets his runs with me on the scooter behind him and both dogs get all excited when they see the scooter coming out. Ziggy and I even managed to come first in our first ever competition. I hadn't even thought about getting placed in it, we were just going along for the fun of getting a run and meeting like minded people.

"What happens if the dog grows up unable to do the hobby? Is it OK to pass them on to someone else?"

In our case, if either dog was no longer able to mush, they'd still have a home here, as does our 3 legged whippet.

In general I think people should be prepared that dogs can't always do the job that they were bred/bought for and be able to keep and care for the dog no matter what. But in the real world, if that's not possible, an excellent home that's aware of the dogs needs, compeltely vetted out etc should be sought to meet the dog's needs.

"Does it matter what the hobby is?"

So long as the dog is fit and able to do the hobby AND enjoys doing it, I don't see why not.

"Should dogs be bred just to do a hobby? - pedigree dogs? crossbreeds?"

This is a big can of worms, not easily answered. There are those that breed, breed, breed with their sports dogs willy nilly and there are those that maticulously select and carefully breed in order to produce dogs that can preform. I think the rights and wrongs of it comes down to each breeder's ethics; be they pedigree dogs bred for the person who enjoys showing or the crossbreeds being picked to breed for a specific purpose.

Originally Posted by Ben Mcfuzzylugs
far too many people imo have far too many dogs, just so they can get the chance to win.

I think your story is a lovely example of your dogs dictating your "hobbies", rather than hobbies dictating what sort of dog you get

I do agree with you in principle. It's very sad when humans put their animals' welfare below their own selfish desires. But another part of me thinks that there may be occasions when an animal would be better off in a new home where it is treated better & given all the things it needs & wants, than it would be if it stayed with a person who found the dog/rabbit etc to be "sub-standard", unworthy of attention, not worth caring for properly etc, just because the animal can't cope with the human hobby.

How many dogs is acceptable to own, for you to fulfill your hobby, and make you a good owner!

How many dogs is acceptable to own, for you to fulfill your hobby, and make you a good owner!

Do you know for a fact that its to win with though. I mean me and mum between us have what most people would class alot of dogs..This has nothing to do with wanting to win..It has something to do with being passionate about a breed and helping with rescues..Some of which never left, and as such we have less show dogs than we do 'pets'. There will be various reasons as to why people have X amount of dogs, like us when we got into showing we never rehomed our family dogs.. Its not always black and white..and the amount of dogs doesnt always equal big time breeder/competitor.

but as long as the dog enjoys the sport (which it probably wouldnt do great in if it didnt)

the owner enjoys it

all the dogs are exercised and trained daily (which most likely are, even if its a small way/'game')

none are neglected in any way

How does that affect the dog negatively?
How do you know the dogs are NEVER allowed to socialise? Perhaps they get enough with all the other dogs at home and then when time other selected dogs...?

if there is only one or two dogs competing how do you know the others arent still walked daily?

How many dogs is acceptable to own, for you to fulfill your hobby, and make you a good owner!