I was always amazed at how many successful competitors in AKC events had spayed/neutered pets in addition to the dogs they competed with. In talking with people, I learned that many, many, many people were first involved in competition with a dog that didn't hold up. They spayed/neutered the dog, used the connections they had forged to get hooked up with a good breeder and carried on with their competition goals.
There are very, very few people who discover that they have a winning dog right out of the box. What they do find is a great attraction to the sport and a desire to be involved. So they recalibrate how they will reach their goals and start again with a dog more appropriate.
OP, neuter your male. If your female has a PAL/ILP registration, she would be spayed already. Dip your toes in the various sport venues, find the one that really speaks to you and then find a breeder who produces the type of dog that does well in your sport and start your breeding program there, with a dog that can compete in your sport and prove itself worthy of being breed. And honor your current dogs for getting you started on the path, even though you ended up doing the right thing for the breed and those dogs by not breeding them.
Sheilah
|