Breeding & Pups

[Crisovar]

I love the looks on the faces of some of the adults when they get mobbed by the pups, some have a such a happy type glow, others are like oh ok here we go again just leave my ears on my head LOL

[Crazy Daisy]

Great post Jed. I love your stories

I like to know what my puppies first weeks are like and who his extended family is and that, for me, is what makes buying from a great breeder that you know and trust so valuable.

I too would love to hear a story about that weekend when they start going home to their new families. Hint, hint

[Baileys mum]

Thank you so much Jed, that was so beautifully put.

I am sitting here at the moment with my heavily pregnant bitch at my feet, & am waiting with nervous excitement for my first ever litter to be born hopefully sometime next weekend.

It's so lovely to read something about the positive side of breeding for a change, I can't wait to meet my Aussie terrier pups!!

P.S I have every intention of keeping in touch with all puppy buyers, to find out the progress of my pups & I like most caring reputable breeders will always care for every pup I breed, even when they go to their forever homes.

Nicole

Edited April 24, 2010 by Baileys mum

[WoofnHoof]

Yeah that's great, what about when they grow up and they're no longer with you, do you care about them then?

As a first time breeder (ok it's a horse and not a dog but still...) I couldn't imagine not loving my baby for it's entire life.

[megan_]

Yeah that's great, what about when they grow up and they're no longer with you, do you care about them then?

you obviously haven't read many of Jed's posts. She is not a BYB breeding because puppies are cute.

[Jed]

Yeah that's great, what about when they grow up and they're no longer with you, do you care about them then?

Absolutely, and I know where they all are.

People ring me after a couple of years - "do you remember Nelson?". Do I ever, Nelson was the fatty of the litter, a big bold outgoing boy, lovely dark colour, loved cuddles, loved pulling the hem of trousers.

People send me emails and photos, some regularly, some not so regularly. I keep in touch. I also will mind dogs I bred if people have a problem in their lives.

I've sold 3 or 4 dogs to people over 30 years.

I sold the flashy young bitch on the left as a pup to replace the older sister of the dog on the right, who died at 10. The people bought the first girl, loved her so much they came back for a brother from a later litter. When she passed, they wanted another relation. He is her uncle. I thought I might keep her, but their girl died suddenly, and the brother was distraught, so she went to live there, such a fantastic home. A couple of nice, healthy, lovely natured pet kids, doing what they are supposed to do.

[Jed]

Here's a photo - about 12 years ago - the big one standing is the big sister, and the one lying is the younger brother who is in the photo in my last post.

I sold a pup last year. The prospective owner had 3 of the breed before, and she brought pedigrees and photos of them. On looking at the pedigrees, I discovered the first one she owned was sired by a pup I bred. He went interstate on the train, and I remember so clearly taking him to the busy metropolitan station, and he was so confident amid all the bustle and people walking around, and I was so pleased, but so sad to see him go. There was a cinder in my eye, I think. He caught the 6pm train, and travelled all night.

I put him in his crate, in the care of the guard, and left his dinner box with him. I phoned the next day, and spoke to the guard. He had the pup out playing with him for most of the journey!

The new owners were so pleased with him (and they should have been, he was by an imported dog from quite famous English lines). They showed him successfully for a while, but then their kennels burned down, killing many of their dogs, which was terribly sad. Luckily the boy survived, but they didn't show any more, and didn't breed much, they were too upset.

And the pup that the woman bought? He was very naughty in puppy pre school, but came good toward the end, and blitzed 'em all. Now she wants to do obedience with him. I was so thrilled. His sister was puppy of breed 6 times from 6 shows, I'm not sure which one I am more pleased about.

But I still breed them because I like them.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Jed

[Jed]

This is Maurice. His owner suffered a bad break, and asked me to rehome him, as she couldn't care for him while she was mending.

I said I would take him, and when she was better, she could decide what to do. If she wanted me to rehome him then, I would, if not, she could have him back.

He arrived here, everyone said "oh, you're back, what have you been doing?". He knew everyone straight away, settled right in. When the owner was better, she took him back, of course. I knew she would

[Jed]

Good breeders care. My first mentor, now elderly, is in a nursing home, living in a rather nice world not connected to this one.

I generally take a dog of the breed to see her, and they mug everyone else in the room, and generally create havoc, licking bed bound old ladies, climbing onto beds with semi comatose people, mugging staff - but everyone loves it. Except me, I am embarrassed.

She is more sentient when I have a dog with me. She loves it when the dogs visit. Last time, she said to me, when I took my flashy red and white bitch, "This isn't Maggie, where's Maggie?". Quite accusatory!!

Maggie was a beautiful flashy red and white, quite similar to the girl I visited with, but bred by her, and died in 1980!!

I said no, it wasn't Maggie, and she said she knew that, the mouth wasn't as good, nor was the rise of skull Who bred it? Why did I go there? I told her because she wasn't breeding any more. She said she would have sold me a better one.

Really, when she is with it she hasn't changed a bit!!

Breeders never forget.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Jed

[Guest *Pixie*]

Jed I could honestly listen to your stories for days on end..

[Ellie]

Fantastic stories Jed, thank you, I love reading them! I think you should write a book.

[Jed]

Thanks guys!!

The brother of the pup I sent on the train went to somewhere out in the boonies. He was to be shown. I never heard from them after them telling me he arrived safely on the plane. I was so disappointed, he was a lovely pup.

About 18 months after they bought him, I received a lovely studio photo of the dog (cocker) beautifully trimmed and groomed, he was stunning.

There was a little card which said

"This is Rusty. He didn't like your diet. He likes rump steak and chocolate icecream. And he is now Champion xxx"

I never heard from them again, but I figured he was good for life.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Jed

[Dogawne]

Thanks guys!!

The brother of the pup I sent on the train went to somewhere out in the boonies. He was to be shown. I never heard from them after them telling me he arrived safely on the plane. I was so disappointed, he was a lovely pup.

About 18 months after they bought him, I received a lovely studio photo of the dog (cocker) beautifully trimmed and groomed, he was stunning.

There was a little card which said

"This is Rusty. He didn't like your diet. He likes rump steak and chocolate icecream. And he is now Champion xxx"

I never heard from them again, but I figured he was good for life.

:D Thats awesome Jed