To neuter or not?

**ESS-lover** · 11-18-2005, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by AllAmericanPUP

alot depends.
Did the breeder you got him from field test her/his dogs and hunt with them? were the dogs health tested for hips and elbows and thyroid, etc. etc. ?
considering he's field bred i know he wont meat the show standard so that doesnt even matter.

what matters is titling him in field tests AND getting him health tested before you even think about breeding him. to responsibly breed a dog you need to know the dog is the TOTAL package not just have the package, sure the dog can hunt but is he free of genetic health problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid problems, etc. etc. look into OFA if you havent already and look into any other health problems ESS's are known to have and get him tested for those too.

it costs alot of money to RESPONSIBLY breed a dog, sure anyone can throw two dogs together and exchange a stud fee or pick of the litter but that is NOT doing any dog or breed a favor and just ads to the overpopulation and disease riddled dogs out there.

Why I am even considering (not for the pup or fee) is the ability he has shown so far (still more training and field testing to come). His breeder has his parents and grandparents - all good/clear, etc on health tests - going back 4 generations all are healthy dogs and only 3 do not have FC to their credit....

Show conformation is out - he would fail miserably... LOL

**Love4BCs** · 11-18-2005, 04:43 PM

*sigh*

Neuter.

**Flatcoatluver** · 11-18-2005, 05:01 PM

t.j endeed up running away 4 times, once on my birthday(looking for gf i guess). when he was neutered, after he got neutered he has stayed home. Thats the bahavior problems i had.

**Jessika** · 11-18-2005, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Flatcoatluver

t.j endeed up running away 4 times, once on my birthday(looking for gf i guess). when he was neutered, after he got neutered he has stayed home. Thats the bahavior problems i had.

Those are mating-related.

Unneutered males have a tendacy to wander to fidn females in heat

**Flatcoatluver** · 11-18-2005, 05:08 PM

oh well! same thang for me!! lol, neutering is one of the best thing you can do for cowboy!

**.sarah** · 11-18-2005, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by ESS-lover

Why I am even considering (not for the pup or fee) is the ability he has shown so far (still more training and field testing to come). His breeder has his parents and grandparents - all good/clear, etc on health tests - going back 4 generations all are healthy dogs and only 3 do not have FC to their credit....

Show conformation is out - he would fail miserably... LOL

Then if he does well in the field and is well behaved, and is negative for hip & elbow dysplasia and all other tests needed for ESSs, and if you want to breed him, then you have a good specimen. But only if you're going to do all of that.

**bckrazy** · 11-18-2005, 10:17 PM

I have no miffs with people breeding if they breed responsibly. It sounds like you're on the right track... but really, it will require tons of hard work trialing him, paying $100's to get him tested, and training with him. And that's only half of the work. Don't just stud him out to whoever will pay, make sure you get to know the bitch's owner, see paper-work proving that she is purebred, has great lineage, and is completely health tested. You should probably require field titles on the female, too. This will require countless hours of research and work on you and your family's part, but if you really truly believe he's going to better the breed definitely pursue what you want to. You should talk to his breeder too, it sounds like she/he would make a great mentor.

I think we need pics of this hawt boy