Thread: How many dogs don't make it

Originally Posted by Got-ya

When you consider the drop out rate for working farm dogs, even those from very good lines is north of 30%. Surely it is not realistic to expect gundogs to be any different. I think that because its a recreational pastime too many people do not have as high performance expectations or if they do for a lot of households by the time they have worked out that that their mutt will end up average at best it is to late, its become a loved member of the house hold.
All this is assuming a suitable amount of time and effort has being put into the dog. I have seen dogs that have literally had to be taught to fetch with absolutely no hunting drive turn into very competent gundogs but the time put in was huge. I admit that I would have given it up as a bad job and rehomed.

Under the German system we breed under the results are pretty consistent, you will find lines that breed above the norm and plenty that breed to a good average, but all will be serviceable hunting dogs, the training culture is a lot stronger though.