Why do owners who retire their show dog rehome them???

I am getting a rehomed show and breeding dog for free.  Our case is a little bit different, b/c the dog was purchased from the breeder as a puppy, but then returned because of a bad incident (an accident) that left her skittish and untrusting of her owner, who loved her very much.  Of course the breeder readily accepted her back and has since had her spayed (she has a conformation title and did have puppies), but the breeder feels that this particular dog would do better as an only dog and deserves more attention than what she's getting since the breeder runs a training facility and still shows, works, and breeds her other dogs.  I was picked because of things I listed on my application that I was planning on doing, such as competitive obedience and agility.  This dog has already had obedience and agility training and the breeder feels it's best for the dog to continue with these activities.  She is free, but I may only rehome her back to the breeder and the unwritted, unspoken agreement is that I do these activities with the dog.

If the breeder you are interested in is reputable, I'd assume that this is probably the same type of situation - the breeder feels that now that the dog is "retired", it deserves more specialized attention rather than just wandering around their house all day while they are out working with their show/working/breeding stock.  I think it's very honerable of breeders to be willing to part with their dogs if it's in the dog's best interest.  I know my breeder loves my dog very much and I'm sure it is difficult to give her away after all the work and commitment that they've put into her.  I'd rather see breeders be willing to rehome than just keep retired dogs in runs/kennels for the rest of their years.

As to the "why" of rehoming show dogs:  In some show dog settings, the dog is rarely, if at all, at home with the family.  The dog spends 6-10 months on the road with the handlers.  The dog, hopefully a champion is returned to the kennel.  After the bitch is bred successfully however many times, the owner may decide that the dog is not getting enough of what it needs most- A loving family.  So the owner rehomes the dog.

Some kennels have many dogs and by rehoming one or more, the kennel has freed up resources for the next puppy, as well as providing the retired dog a chance at having a family of it's own, and  a chance to do something more than spend it's life either on the road, or being rotated in and out of the ex-pens.

Retired show dogs can still compete in other events too.  So if you're getting a dog that qualifies for any type of field trial or coursing, you should investigate that!

As far as temperment goes, the breeder should be able to tell you the temperment of the dog that you're getting. 

Most breeders rehome there retired dogs to make room for a new puppy
I show'd my own dogs and when they finished there Ch and retired it was at home with
me to love and spoil them  Katy

I would not be surprised if a good breeder had a waiting list for retired dogs.  You would get a well trained, older dog - perfect for anyone not up to raising a puppy.

Thanks for your replies.  It sounds like the practise is perfectly normal.  I suppose in my thought process that if someone spent all of this time training an animal, why would they rehome it instead of just keep it and love it.  Now I see that I am thinking like an individual and not like a kennel, which is who has the dog now.  They do have quite a few.
 
From what I've read of their site, they currently own and are breeding quite a few champions.  They sell their pups for a good price.  It is somewhat curious that they are just giving the dog away and not asking for $$.  There doesn't appear to be any kind of a waiting list for the dog.  Just an ad. 
 
I digress though, because I really wasn't looking for a dog for around 3-6 mos. and I just don't know if now is the right time.  But it does seem like the right dog.  She appears to be everything I wanted, except that I wanted a male, but she's so darn cute.  I have to think about this one.
 
Thanks again.

It is somewhat curious that they are just giving the dog away and not asking for $$.

That is strange.  One should never advertise a "free" dog.

ORIGINAL: dogsRkewl

From what I've read of their site, they currently own and are breeding quite a few champions.  They sell their pups for a good price.  It is somewhat curious that they are just giving the dog away and not asking for $$.  There doesn't appear to be any kind of a waiting list for the dog.  Just an ad. 

 
Have you contacted them? There may not be a price on the "ad" because that is something they would discuss personally with a new owner. 
 
As for waiting lists, they may be using many different channels to find a new home for her and they could have already rejected some folks[]. Because this is an adult, her personality, likes and dislikes are already a known factor and they might be trying to make a good match.
 
If you haven't contacted them, I think it would be worth a call or email. 

What breeder is it?  There are some good breeders here on iDog that could give their opinion on whether the kennel is reputable.

It may be that they don't feel like dealing with waiting lists, organizing that information, having to read through each of them any time there's a new dog available.  The reason I got the dog I did was b/c I sent in a matching application the day before.  They hold onto several applications, but don't guarantee anything and when mine appeared to be a match, they just picked me rather than wading through the pile of old apps.  Now, I went through a rescue group, not directly to a breeder, but the rescue group is operated by an employee/friend of the breeder so that's how this dog was in their pool.

My dog's foster mother does this. Basically it's because she just doesn't have the time and money to keep dogs that are currently showing in conformations, dogs that are herding, bitches of breeding age, a foster here and there, and more than one or two dogs as just pets. It seems strange to me to part with a dog you've had for four or five years, but all things considered, it is generally better for the dog. I'd definately consider getting a dog this way.
 
I'm not so sure about "free" or having to advertise.

ORIGINAL: dogsRkewl

My question is, why would they then get rid of her?  I have seen and heard of other show dogs being rehomed for the same reason.  Some just give them away and some charge.

Oh, its just one of those mysteries *content removed*.

Oh, its just one of those mysteries *previously removed content*.

Huh?  So giving a dog away automatically makes a person *content removed, reference to content now removed* ?  I should not go pick up Chopper next week then?

Moderator note,
 
This thread will remain civil and devoid of name calling.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Moderator note,
 
This thread will remain civil and devoid of name calling.

 
Sorry Moderator, I can not comprehend this just as I had a very hard time reading Coppinger's book after he gave up his Alaskan pack.  If people want to get these dogs, I would characterize the situation as a rescue.  I see nothing noble about it.

I haven't got too much to add, but we got Buffy for $125 plus the flight.  She had one litter and needed a C-section, so the breeder decided she would not be bred again.  She would have kept her, but in talking to me she decided to offer her to me.  She too is very skittish and might do better in a home that was able to give her more attention.  After 8 months, there is a little progress, but this might take years...