Stud Dog Management

Let's Talk About Stud Dog Management

Hmm, basically here at the Pines, we absolutely adore boy puppies! As it stands, we currently have nine, eeek! Yes, nine, but we consider old man Hank and Dune the lifer to be somewhat of a different category. This leaves us with five hopeful boys, including the established Rocky and Rumor, along with Dune, our forever house dog, and, of course, the venerable Hank.

In the world of dog breeding, other breeders often campaign their boys extensively, pursuing a range of grand champion titles such as silver, bronze, and beyond. However, we have chosen a different path. Take Primo, for instance. He was shown, finished his championship, accumulated grand champion points, and even had the honor of being showcased at Westminster, marking a lovely show career. He was utilized not only by us but also by various other breeders in the field. Yet, despite his successes, once we had daughters and granddaughters, Primo was still only seven years old.

Certainly, Primo was a joy to show; he had that undeniable pizzazz that made him stand out. However, he had always been a kennel dog, spending most of his time in that environment. While he did come into the house on occasion and formed a bond with our family, especially our grandchildren, things changed as we had offspring from him and when his daughters and granddaughters would enter their heat cycles. During these times, Primo was no longer “The Stud,” which was particularly torturous for him. Even though he continued to be utilized by outside breeders, I tend to humanize our dogs. I genuinely wanted Primo to experience the love of a family, to become the star in the life of a beautiful little girl, and to enjoy the simple pleasures of being a constant shotgun seat rider.

Thus, despite Primo still being young and vibrant with so much to offer the breeding world, we made the conscious choice to let him find a family of his own—a cozy sofa to lounge on and the throne of all attention. This philosophy is why we refrain from keeping “Studs” forever. We love them dearly, showcase their incredible traits, and hope to create a legacy through their offspring that carries on their lovely type and temperament. And then, some lucky family hits the jackpot!

In our backyard, you won’t find old dogs struggling to keep up with younger ones because each dog has a designated place to thrive. Their pack transforms into a lovely family unit that enjoys seaside beach escapes, fly fishing trips with dad, and the cherished moments of sitting at grandma's feet. They know she will sneak them a nibble of a cookie, which we all know they absolutely do NOT need! 😊

So that is how we do it here at the Pines, and we wouldn’t change our method for anything. It’s all about love, family, and ensuring that each of our beloved dogs can enjoy their retirement as cherished members of a family and become the family star they were born to be....