I hope you don't get any backlash either. There are circumstances where you don't have a choice but to rehome and your post is a great example of why one may have to.

rehoming
 

I did not rehome my first 3 girls...the thoughts of letting those 3 go would have broken my heart.
Then I got serious with breeding/showing...if it is a passion and in your blood, you will not take a break wait for the old ones to go to Rainbow Bridge before getting a few new ones...you don't want to stop. As I have said before..a serious breeder is cut from a different cloth...we think different.

The more I progressed the more breeders I met...and what an eye opener. I have been to the kennels/homes of finest of the finest, the lowest of the low and every type breeder in between...
Nothing sadder then 40 or 50 Yorkies stacked in cages, growing old, little attention, waiting for the death angel to release them to a better life...
Breeders start out with the best of intentions, then things get out of hand so easily..and I have been called more then once to go help a friend before they put a gun to their head....I have never had a problem telling a breeder friend they had too many dogs and needed to downsize. The breeders feelings are a non-issue, the dogs best interest is what counts..
Been there are few times myself...

I agree a pet to me is a forever thing until death. I dont see how any one can do it and it also makes me feel so sad for those being rehomed and some over and over again.
And The same goes for Breeders. Im sorry But I dont understand this at all.
rehoming a girl that was retired from breeding? After what this little girl did for The breeders.
WE use to breed Boxers, I still have the old female. I could never rehome her.
WE use to stud out our male Pittbull, We still have him, just because they are both retired, I could never rehome them, I brought them into this family and feel that is where they will stay.
WE had a beautiful home we lived in and planned on buying this home. Well we was told to rehome our pitt or move. We had three small children, could not find any thing close . Yes WE moved and now live in a trailer on 5 acres, Why ? because we needed a home fast and so we bought this so we could keep our Family dog. sadly thou she dies shortly after. Do I regret it? No... Id do it again. To me a pet is for life. No ands ifs or buts.

Thank you for your eye opening post. It's heartfelt and I have more compassion and respect for serious breeders. I can just visualize those poor dogs left in crates. I'm sure it must be so hard to have that heart to heart talk with the breeders who can't care for all the dogs properly. I wish all breeders were more like you.

Thank you for sharing!

I do understand where you are coming from. and I agree they should not be in cages to wait their death. To me this is not a good breeder one that cages their females and breeds and breeds them . What life is that?
If a breeder can have 40 or 50 Yorkies stacked in cages, growing old, little attention, waiting for the death Then they seem no better then a puppy mill to me. To me a Female that is used for breeding should get the love and attention that they exspect from thier puppy buyers. Why should these dogs thats being breed have or feel any less.

I'm not disagreeing with you but I believe there is a huge difference between a small breeding program and a larger breeding program. If someone is only producing a few litters a year, I would think you are able to keep all your dogs, love them and care for them for their entire life and it's wonderful! But if a breeder has a larger operation, I would rather see the retired dogs go to a home where the can be loved and charished. I'm not a breeder and will never be a breeder, but take a look at the Westminster Kennel Show, most of these dogs come for larger operations who is striving to produce the "Perfect" dog. With out them, we would not have breeds of our choice which are healthy and close to comfirmation. To produce a elite champion, they would require a larger breeding program. I understand it is rare for a Westminster level champion to come from a small breeding program since it would take many, many years to reach that level.

Bottom line is Re-home if it is in the best interest of the dog. What I don't like to see is dogs being rehomed because the dog did not live up to the owners expectation in size, color, or behavior from not being trained properly and then they turn around and get a new puppy.

This thread was not aimed at breeders and I don't want any bickering over breeders. I knew I shouldn't have started this thread... I tried to be very careful of how I worded the thread with hopes that breeders would not be targeted. I'm so sorry

Maddie is a retired breeder. She apperantly had no maternal instinct and only had 1 pup both times she had a litter. Her owner Tracy knew that she'd be better off in a home where she could get more attention, and that's why we have her today. I know that Tracy loved (and still loves) Maddie very, very much. and I believe she proved that by seeing over her own feelings, and doing what was best for Maddie.

Now. When people rehome dogs because they don't like their coloring, size, or they aren't trained I want to hit them across the head. That's no reason to put that kind of stress on a dog. However I also think there are exceptions to this. We used to have a black lab named Shadow who really was the sweetest dog. But he was psychotic or something. he litteraly ate the couch. I was still really young, and my parents didnt have enough attention/energy to care for him. So now he lives on a farm with another dog just like him and a nice lady. :)

But (sorry I got a bit off topic) yeah. i don't think people should rehome dogs just because they're bigger than they wanted, they dont like their coloring, or something like that.

I was not trying to target any breeders, I was just saying how I felt like everyone else did and if I come off that way Im sorry. And Im sorry but I have to dieagree with rehoming. If a breeder has to cage their Females because they are retired then yes they need to rehome them, They dont deserve a life in a cage. For all that this Female has done for her breeder, she deserves the best. Breeders who have so many and have no choice but to cage, Well thats just sad to me. I cant and wont feel any different on this subject. a breeding dog should not be treated any different IMO and The same goes for pets If they are in a sad home then yes rehome them, They deserve better. But People keep getting pets and rehome them for no real reason ,and should not ever own pets. and if a breeder can have 50 females caged because they are retired and go out to get younger females to breed more and more.and keep rehoming the old. Im sorry its not right. I guess I put animals first and to me this is just plain wrong.

See I can understand someone rehoming because they feel the dog deserves better and so they rehome it. Thats great. But does she have 50 in cages that once she breed and now they are to old for her needs, then she rehomes them? Prob not. This is what I think is sad. I had a post where I posted I had over 300 rehomes. I rescued these dogs off the streets. cared for them got them well and then rehomed them. So I feel thats different.

pets
 

Of course breeding dogs should be pets first...and I think most there do treat theirs as pets, then breeding dogs...and there is no need to rehome when you only have a couple.

As to people rehoming a pet because of silly reasons...the reason does not matter to me why you don't want it...you can not force anyone to love a dog they do not want...give it back to me...no questions asked...the dog will no doubt be thrilled to leave them anyway...Yorkies are mind readers, they know when their owners aren't pleased with them...

That is why I wouldn't be able to rehome Autumn ever....she was my baby and my pet first. I only have 4 furbabies in my house right now, soon to be five when I get Lexie, and my limit is 6 in the home, so to live by that I would eventually have to do the rehoming too. I don't feel it would be fair for me to have more than 6 because I don't want more than I can give proper care and attention to.

Not saying others with more than 6 don't give proper care or attention...I just know what I could afford and what would work for me so for me and my situation the limit has to be 6.

We all want the same thing for a dog to be in a loving and safe environment. I know YorkieShadow has been involved in finding homes for so many dogs and you've brought so much happiness to so many - you are definitely a champion in my book!

We got our chocolate lab Dixie at age two, and were at LEAST her fourth home. She is the best dog in the WORLD--is marvelously trained, well-behaved and loving, and everyone who meets her just falls in love. We constantly have people asking if they can have her.

Why did her previous homes not turn out? they just weren't able to give her all the love and attention she needed. Mazie was rehomed to us under similar circumstances.

I usually defend rehoming because of the marvelous experiences that WE have had being on the OTHER end of it. And I know that there are times when perfectly lovely people, and perfectly lovely dogs, just do not FIT together. Could they continue to try to struggle to make it work? yes. Would that be the best and the happiest for ALL involved? no.

NOW! That said, would *I* personally be able to rehome an animal?! Never say never, but I'll confess, I really don't understand the emotions and mentality that that requires. We just get far too attached to our pets, and yes, feel OUR responsibility for their care.

Yes, there have been times when SOME rehoming stories here on YT have just made me scratch my head. And yes, a few times I've seen the same person who berated someone ELSE for rehoming, turn around and do the same thing themselves.

But usually, I try not to judge someone else's situation, because I'm not in their shoes. And like YorkieRose sd., ultimately, if that's how they FEEL, rehoming is better for the dog anyway, so it all turns out for the best.

I so agree with you, I dont care I would never rehome Lillie!!!!
Now I just rescued a 4 year old, her parents are going through a divorce and the ex husband had her but did not want her and was going to take her to the pound, the mom could not keep her where she was living, so I opened my home to her, but she was so scared and I fell so darn sad for her. But she has seemed to start to adjust, but it's still so darn sad.

Well, my problem would be more that I don't have room. My yorkies have taken over my living room so that is their home. As the dogs get older and you need to retire them (if you care about them, you retire them instead of breeding them half to death), you are also keeping puppies or buying puppies or young females if you are going to keep breeding. You have to. After while, you just simply run out of room and you have to make some tough decisons.

As a pet owner I could never rehome my two ever. They are with me untill they passs on. They are My babies. I do understand though that breeders need to rehome their dogs though. Sometimes because they have retired them sometimes because the dog doesnt fit into their breeding program. I too cringe though when I read posts from pet owners and their reasons behind why they are rehoming them. Sometimes its very selfish reasons. However I do wonder if it isnt better to be in a home where it iis cherished rather than unwanted.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: perfectly said. I agree

Yorkierose, I began reading this thread and was so touched by your post that I had to reply (b4 reading the rest). Your explanation of why responsible breeders retire their dogs and rehome them is well-written and actually brought tears to my eyes. :)

Sometimes there are other reasons to retire them besides age too. Like complicated deliveries right?

For me, I have a limit of 2-3 litters per female. At what age do you suggest retiring a girl? I have heard people say 6 yrs...is that about average?

Okay, now I've read the entire thread...LOTS OF GREAT POSTS here! And I'm really happy to see that it has not become confrontational:yorkietal That being said, here's my two cents:

Personally, I could never rehome Ginger, Bernie, Kirby or Mr. Fun Kitty...BUT, I don't want to discourage those who do. Anyone who is feeling the need to rehome should be supported. Think about the animals. What is better for them? To be in a home where they are at best ignored and at worst mistreated? Or to be rehomed to a place where they are loved and wanted? If someone is to the point that they want to rehome a pet (I'm not talking breeder here, they have an entirely different set of circumstances) there is a good chance that they and the pet will both be unhappy until this takes place. So why fight it? Let's help them find the best home they can. Sometimes personalities just do not mix!

I'd also like to say (admit) that when I was MUCH younger, we made an "impulse buy" and ended up with a dog we were in no place to handle. Yes, we did find him a new home. He was happier, we were happier, and our other dogs were happier. What did I learn from that???? Well, since then every animal (with the exception of Fun Kitty who just kinda moved in on his own terms) that we've ever had has been researched and fully committed to before we brought it home. No more impulse buys for us, every one I bring home now is here for life!

I agree with this. In many cases (it may be hard for people to believe) people give up their dogs because they love their dogs and want a better life for them, it's not always necessarily because they do not love or care for their pets. At many times it means putting your selfishness aside and doing what is best for your pet.

:thumbup:
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Very well said!

Sometimes it's in the pet's best interest to find them a better home. With regards to the decision to rehome a pet - like most others - I don't think we should judge until we've walked that proverbial mile.

yes, this is a good reason to retire them AND get them spayed so if you ever do re-home, someone won't get her and kill her. Almost every breeder I knoww, retires them at five years and no more than six. My girls are coming up on four in march and I am not sure yet what i will do. One thing I do know is they will both be vet checked all over again before breeding anymore. Some people say as long as they are healthy but most is five years.

Autumn is 3..she will be 4 in September...I was heartbroken when she only had one surving pup with her litter in August so I made the decision not to breed her again.

Autumn was my pet first, and my very first yorkie...and since she is my heart I can't rehome her...but after reading the posts by Sugarsmom and YorkieRose I comepletely understand the reasoning behind rehoming retired bitches. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

I agree to that also. I just couldn't see myself having a dog and letting it go. Once they are mine they are part of the family.

I can see and understand doing whats best for the dog. If the dogs in a home and its not happy and or is not getting the attention love that it needs then yes by all means it needs to be rehomed. I can see peoples lifes and siturations changing there for the dog is left to be rehomed and All tho I think they brought that dog into their home there for they should try their best to make it work, But if it comes right down to it that the dog is not being cared for and is not happy loved like it should then yes rehome it. I do understand breeders haveing a older female and it needs love and attention then rehome it. But I do not understand doing it over and over again. I breed Boxers and Pittbulls and once they retired I didnt rehome them , They are here and they will stay until they die.I feel they had these litters because of me breeding them now that their done They dont deserve to be just tossed out for someone else to care for.Theres just no way I would or could rehome them and get younger and start again. And I do not believe its right to cage them now that they are unable to make litters and just forget about them. Im not saying breeders here do that, I dont know what they do.But people They wonder why there are so many older rescues out there . well I think this is why half of them are there in rescues homeless. They have been caged and used for breeding then They are rehomed, They get rescued and then from not ever being loved They dont no how to act , Their scared and act out. Then they go to another home then another and then end up at the pound. Some are lucky and end up in that happy forever home. I wish they all could. But I have seen this time and time again. Breeders and pet owners rehoming. and Its not nothing I would ever want part of. Just like the 3 chi's I posted on here. The breeder was done with the breeding program so off to the pound they went. If thats all these females are used for then thats wrong. Get the money from their pups and off to the pound they go.:thumbdown Its like This Bitch gave me wonderful puppys ,I sold them now she cant breed any more shes useless to me. its time for her to go. where she ends up I dont know but thats not my problem. Whats right about that?

I have those feelings sometimes too -- Looking at my 4, I think how could someone just turn them out? No way! But people's posts rarely tell the whole story and I am no one's judge.

rehoming
 

When I placed my first champion, Chopper at 8 years, I cried so much., I had backed out when he was 7 yrs. His new "mother" came to get him and he was so excited about going in the car..BUT he stopped on the sidewalk by the front door because I did not follow him..he looked back at me, I told him to go with Josie..he would walk about 5 steps and stop, look back at me, again I would have to tell him to go with Josie..and he would take another 5 steps.. I wanted to grab him up so bad and forget the whole deal...He looked back at me from the car window all the way to the end of the street...

He was given away, not sold, there was no amount of money to compensate for his worth to me. (I do not sell retirees)...but I also do not give them to just anyone.


Six months later he came for a visit...he pranced in the door like the king he was, jumped in my lap and gave me lots of kisses..when it was time to go, Josie got up and walked the door...Chopper jumped down and ran to this mother very excited..he got his coat on, walked out the door, never looking back at me...in the car he sat on Josie's lap looking straight ahead, because he knew he was going home with his mother...
I am ever so grateful to Josie for all she has done for my boy. He is walked twice a day like clockwork...something I could never do. If Josie can not get home at lunch she has the pet nanny walk him... He is very old now(15)...and at 10 Josie spent a fortune saving his teeth..I told her it was okay to have the loose ones pulled..old Yorkies lose teeth, but she took him to a doggie dentist for treatments to keep his teeth as long as possible.
When I think about Chopper, I have the warmest feelings..I have done all I can for a very special boy who made a dream a reality for me...he is gold in my eyes.