re: Blog Question

Name: Withheld by request
Date: 4-9-08
RE: Co-ownerships

Hi Dale,
Really enjoy the information you have shared on the CHERUB BLOG!
Have a question that I was hoping you could share some insight on with a puppy
I am considering buying.
The breeder is requiring a co-ownership with me, is this standard in buying a puppy?
Please don't post my name but I would really like to know if this is something that
all breeders require in purchasing a puppy.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXXX

Response:
Date: 4-9-08
RE: Co-ownerships

Thats a really good question and since you are contemplating a co-ownership we would assume that
this is a show/breeding potential dog.
First in every dealing there should be the three parts of - OPEN / ACTION / CLOSE - at what point is the
dog yours?
You should take a moment and visit the AKC.ORG and read up on the rights and responsibilities of co-ownerships.
_______________________________________________________________________________
FUN FACTS:
In the eyes of AKC all co-owners are equal and either can TAKE or MAINTAIN possession of the dog and AKC will not
be involved unless there is a court order giving custody to one of the co-owners.

Should one of the co-owners lose AKC priviledges the dog is also suspended for all co-owners (showing/offspring of this dog).

Duplicate records must be kept by all co-owners and with a male only ONE need sign to register a litter / all must sign for a
co-owned female.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Many if not most co-ownerships have some degree of conflict before completion, there are often open ended statements
involving things that can not be predicted or controlled - ie. showing & breedings.

How can you make a plan that involves puppies and wins that may never come?

The expenses of making these goals happen can be staggering and are usually one-sided and that is where it gets ugly.

If you must do this against all advice make sure there is a bail-out clause and a money amount that can be paid to close
out the co-ownership in advance.

Personally I know of one lady that paid a large sum to buy and then had bad luck in showing her dog but it did eventually
finish its championship after some real expense.
All so she could breed it and start her line, she owed two puppies back to the breeder before the dog was hers outright.
Several attempts and money expense later they had a litter via emergency c-section and the bitch had to be spayed.
There was only one puppy that the breeder took and she had to pay for the second puppy that did not live since the vet
spayed the female without the co-owners consent.
Over $20,000. for purchase, show career, breedings, delivery costs, and buying a puppy that never happened all to end up
with a CH.spayed housepet ....

If you buy a dog it should be yours. Putting somebodies name on your house or car title would be a no-brainer this
is the same thing ... in my opinion!

Dale