I received the following email regarding a dog who needs a new home.  I suspect due to the way I was contacted that a lot of folks saw the same thing this morning.

I am the owner of a 6 year old Wirehair Pointing Griffon male. He is trained for upland birds. I have about $3000 into him. Griffons are a rare breed to be got as the original and only breeder in [State] ([Breeder]) is no longer active. "[Dog]" is located in [Town], [State]. Due to the extensive travel in my new employment, I am asking $500 for him. Are you interested?

OK, this really sucks.  Someone this economy actually got a new job, but can't keep the dog.  I'd like to help him out but...  It's a six year old dog, and a Griff to boot.  Don't take this the wrong way, but I really despise shaggy dogs.  I do understand a lot of folks like them, but I do not.  It's just a matter of taste. 

I rolled around the thought of making a quick buck on the dog (sorry, in this economy if I can make a dollar and help someone out, I'm going to do it).  On the plus side, it's September and the dog's value will likely not be higher at any other time of the rest of his life.  But I can't make the math work.  Between gasoline, the veterinary tests he would need to make him marketable, (we can't possibly sell a sick dog and survive) the time spent feeding him and to think I might have to dump him for less than what I paid?  I came to the conclusion that I want to help, but there is no money in it for me even if the dog came for free.  I replied with the following email:

Bill,

[Breeder] is a friend of mine, so I hope you don't take this the wrong way when I offer a little friendly advice.

I don't think your dog is likely worth $500. He's six and most folks aren't looking for a dog that old. Five year old dogs are like a used car once it hits 10 years or 100,000 miles. If you don't get him sold by October 1, he is worth even less. [Dog] will likely be with you until spring at the earliest if you don't move him in the next 4 weeks.

Most dogs that do change hands with money involved at that age are highly titled and desirable studs. Someone wants him to either hang field trial trophies on the wall and/or earn his keep as a stud either in the kennel or at public stud. I'm presuming he has no titles beyond perhaps a Natural Ability test as you didn't mention it. I don't know what level of "training" he has as you don't say, but for the sake of argument, I'm going to assume he isn't a "finished" dog as you would have said that. I believe you have a six year old started dog. There is a reason WPG's are rare, there is a very limited market for them.

I think you should consider the $3000 you have into him as "rental" at about a dollar a day during the off-season and five dollars a day during the hunting season. Cheap money for the love from the dog and the work he did finding birds for you. I'd suggest you keep advertising him at $500 to keep the vultures away and illustrate that you think the dog has value. But if you love [Dog], I'd suggest you screen the folks who are interested to find him a loving hunting home. I suggest once you find the right people, you take whatever they offer. I have been there and done that, and it was the best decision I have ever made.

If it's a situation where [Dog] needs a new home immediately, I would help you -- out of respect for [Breeder]. I'd need an favorable OFA evaluation done in the past 12 months, or a PennHIP evaluation done anytime a negative 4DX Snap Test done in the previous month. (Of course also UTD on vaccinations and neutered.) I just put down a rescue dog in my foster care who came here sick, so I'm not taking in any sick or crippled dogs. I would foster him while breed rescue found him a new hunting home. But yes, this offer is for $0.

I know what I'm writing isn't easy to read, but I am trying to tell you the unvarnished truth, with the hope that it helps you make decisions that are best for you and [Dog]. Good luck with finding [Dog] a new home and your new job. I'm sure this is a mixed blessing for you.

Todd Chrisman
Amanda Rizner, DVM
Marshfield Kennel
Shapleigh, Maine

So I'm expecting a reply that I'm heartless, which is a common misconception about me.  Truth is I have a huge heart.  I am a giant softie.  I just don't believe in beating around the bush.  I also get accused that I assume to much based on the information given.  But I've always felt the information withheld is exactly as useful as the information given.  So you can see I was pleased to receive this reply:

Thank you Mr. Chrisman,

Your essay was incredibly well written and intuitive based on how little data that you received from me. Your writing is spot on. Your analogy about used vehicles was an education as well. I have taken your words to heart. Excuse me for interrupting your workday but thanks again for taking time out for your thoughts.

Bill C.

Bill you are welcome.  I hope everything works out best for you, your dog and your family.  To continue the car analogy just a bit more, the only cars that rise in value are the rare and desiresable ones.  The way to make a dog rare and desiresable is to train it, title it, and have him sire rare and desiresable pups.

For the record, I think I MIGHT be able to get $500 for him, if I sink about that much in vet bills into him to prove he's healthy.  I have a relatively popular web site and a reputation (a little of it is good).  I have paid for advertising which I can use.  I have a network.  My fear is it's just as likely that I'd do all this and give him away on September 30th.  It's just a bet I'd never make.  Do I think this dog (based on what I know so far) is "worth" $500?  Yes, absolutely.  He's a freaking steal at that price.  I just don't think there are a lot of other folks who will feel the same.

This economy is bad for hunting dogs, really bad.  Rescues are chock full.  But I'm hoping there will be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Under-selection is bad for any breed.  Imagine what WWII did for the German Shortharied Pointer (and every other continental breed).  Folks only bred the best dogs to each other to produce enough puppies so they'd have a few when the war ended.  At the end of it, only the best genetics survived.  Maybe this economy will convince folks to breed less and select more carefully.

Oh, and if you want a six year old WPG and you aren't a bottom feeding cheapskate, let me know and I will pass your info on to Bill.