I wanted to respond to this topic, as I do a lot of rescue, and these auctions are a nightmare for dogs. Horse people do things differently than dog people do. I have both, but I am always surprised at what goes on in the horse world, as it's nothing for a horse to have many homes in his lifetime, as he outlives his usefulness or situations change, they're sold. Because they're much more expensive to keep and require much more care, special zoning, etc., there is a greater need to create a place to market them. MANY of these horses end up being bought by slaughter houses. An auction, for most people selling a horse they care about, is always the last resort, taken only after all other options have been explored. Thoroughbreds are a world entirely unto themselves. These are animals that sell for millions of dollars. So, I suppose, if that kind of money is being spent to buy an animal, that animal would hopefully get excellent care, because they're a big investment and potential future moneymaker for the buyer. Even then, I would just die if I ever had to resort to sell a horse at auction, as again, you really have no control over what type of situation your horse may end up in. Dogs on the other hand, aren't sold at higher prices at auction, etc., because no reputable breeder would ever allow one of their puppies to end up in a dog auction if they have any control over it. Therefore, a majority of the dog who go to auction are poorly bred, excess baggage dogs, who someone needs to unload to bring in "new blood". Once in a while, by some great misfortune, I've seen champions end up at auction. This is a breeder's ultimate nightmare, and it's a very good reason to have a contract that protects one of your dogs from ending up in that situation. The only people who buy dogs at auction are puppy mills who want to add "new blood" to their "livestock", or rescue people who are trying to save the dogs from the puppy mills. They are never sold for high prices, a champion (if they're unfortunate enough to end up in the wrong hands) can often be had for a fraction of what it costs to finish a dog, at most, a couple of hundred dollars. Many times, the puppy mills buying dogs at auction will buy a dog who is "unbreedable" just to get the dog's AKC papers so they can use them on a subsitute dog in order to breed "AKC registered dogs". If you put blood, sweat and tears and love into breeding top quality dogs, you want to know where each and every one of your puppies go. If you allow your animals to be auctioned off, you have absolutely no control over the type of place that dog ends up in. As an ethical breeder, you hopefully have a good contract that spells out your guarantees and also has things in it to protect your dog, including a stipulation that if for any reason during the dog's entire lifetime the buyer can't keep the puppy, it will be returned to you. I can't say I agree with what I call the "livestock" mentality in horses, but I do see the need for it. I see no need for "dog auctions" as the only people they'll ever benefit are puppy mills. Lynn In a message dated 5/9/2005 12:02:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: >>Diane and David, just some thoughts on auctions. >> >>The top thoroughbred horses(Kentucky) are sold at auction by the breeders. >> It is the best way to get top dollar for their work. >> >>Trainers, with Vets and owners show up(with their check books) to check them >> out and perhaps make a purchase. I for one, have thought this might be a >>way >> for breeders to get the best direct access to potential buyers/owners. In >> some cases, pinhookers(speculators) will take a risk and purchase them with >> the idea of growing them up for a future sale(auction). You can always >>put >> a reserve(minimum price) on the animals that you have entered. >> >> Mike, rambling again Lynn Brown - Ebonystar Schipperkes/Angelsgate Rescue http://www.angelsgaterescue.com/ & http://www.schipperkerescue.com/ Post Office Box 92283 - Long Beach, CA 90809 (562) 428-9832 ...special dogs for special people since 1972 ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================