Co-Owning Show Dog-Questions

[ebonyboxerlover]

I am very interested in showing boxers, I attend every show that I can, and will be going to shows in July in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas. I'm not really in the position to outright own and raise another boxer right now, but would like to learn about co-owning a show boxer. How does one go about doing that? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a co-owner of a show dog? Is there some information around of the legalities involved? Thanks for any help you can give me.

[JulieM]

If you enter a co-ownership on a dog, be sure you know the other owner(s) VERY well. Here is the AKC stand on co-ownerships:

Co-Ownership Contracts - Co-ownership arrangements, in far too many cases, lead to problems. While AKC registration application forms provide for more than one owner, we recommend that co-ownerships be avoided. It has been our experience that purchasing a dog "outright" is preferable.

We would like to point out that if a co-owner is suspended of all AKC privileges, then for the term of the suspension, recording of a transfer of the dog that is co-owned is barred and registrations of litters sired by or whelped by the dog in question are barred. Wins taken by the dog in AKC-licensed or member events are subject to disallowment.

For the reasons cited above the AKC recommends that co-ownerships be avoided.

It is a valid argument.

If you do decide to go ahead with a co-ownership, be sure that you have a contract that covers the following issues:

Where will the dog live when it is not showing (do you want to keep the dog in your home, or just be a "name" on the dog)? Who will handle the dog (who will decide who handles the dog)? Who will pay handler fees/entry fees? Who will pay vet bills - regular and emergency? Who will pay for food - what kind of food? What about breeding? When will the dog be bred? What health tests are required before breeding, and who pays for them? Who decides which breedings will take place? What happens to the stud fee (if a male)? Who decides on puppy placement (if a female)? Who gets first pick puppy? What happens to the money from the sale of puppies?

Basically, think of *anything and everything* that can happen in the day-to-day life of this Boxer - for its' entire life - figure out who will be responsible for it, and PUT IT IN WRITING.

That's the easy part You also have to find a breeder who is breeding dogs you like, has ethical standards you agree with, and is willing to enter a co-ownership with a novice.

It might be easier to give you specific advice if you can tell us what you're looking for from a co-ownership....