[Sharon Marples]

As Goniella stated, the most important item in this "possible" arrangement is for you to know and trust the other party totally.

We have done many co-ownerships on bitches we have sold and to date, have never had a problem. One reason being that we put EVERYTHING in writing! You need to spell out who is responsible for what costs associated with anything that is required for the dog (training, show expenses, travel expenses, vet bills, feed, etc.).

Most of the co-ownerships on bitches that I am familiar with allow you to take the puppy (either at no charge or at a reduced charge). If the owner wants you to do obedience and/or protection work with the dog you have to decide if YOU want to do it. You don't want to be pushed into having to spend hours and hours training, etc. if you are not really "into" doing that sort of thing.

In regards to the litter, you need to decide on what health certifications and/or titles would be required for both the bitch and the stud prior to breeding and then stick by those agreed upon. Also decide who pays for any bills resulting from the breeding (emergency C section, progesterone testing, brucellosis testing, vaginal culture, tail and dewclaw removal, puppy vaccinations, puppy food, etc.). If you are to split the litter, who gets 1st pick? What happens if there is an odd number of puppies? Who gets the "extra" puppy?

There are lots of things to take into consideration and therefore, the necessity to trust and be able to go into a co-ownership with no questions. Get it all in writing or else go elsewhere for a puppy that you can own outright on your own. This post just addresses a few of the items that you would need to discuss with the breeder before entering into this agreement. Make sure that YOU WANT to do this first and foremost!

Sharon Marples