How Does One Become A Registered Breeder?

[jackie_a1]

Hey fellow DOLers.

I was just thinking the other day we hear a fair bit about backyard breeders and irresponsible breeders but how would one go about becoming a respected registered breeder?

For example.

Jane loves dogs and has been raised with them her whole life specifically (lets say border collies). She has the space (i.e big backyard) and the financial security to become a breeder she also has the time. She has good knowledge of dogs, puppies including training and the importance of socialisation, and wants to become a registered border collie breeder how would she go about doing it?

(Jane is a hypothetical person and the breed is also it could be John wanting to breed bulldogs etc)

What are her options, what steps should she take? She currently owns no dogs or other pets at the moment.

And don't worry guys not planning on becoming a breeder or breeding was just thinking of breeders and never really knew the process of how they got into breeding. Breeders feel free to post how you became a breeder etc.

[Bilbo Baggins]

You apply to your Kennel control council and sit an open book exam.

But first you need to havea dog that is considered worthy of being bred with.

[jackie_a1]

So how would Jane go about breeding? Would she have to buy a papered puppy from a registered breeder? Once her pup (lets say it was a bitch) was of age and suitable temp would she have to look for a stud male? Or buy one? And what will make Jane's pups more sought after then any other respected border collie breeder?

Edited for clarity

Edited May 11, 2010 by jackie_a1

[WreckitWhippet]

Jane should also find herself a mentor, show her dogs and learn about her breed, before she even considers breeding.

You may well purchase a puppy that is showing potential but it may not end up good enough to be bred from.

[jackie_a1]

SBT who decides whether the dog is worthy a specimen to be bred from? Also say Jane does this. She shows her dogs and learns all there is to possibly learn (for arguments sake) then what?

[fifi]

Jane should also find herself a mentor, show her dogs and learn about her breed, before she even considers breeding.

What she said

Tell jane Or john to consider it like an apprenticeship, they wouldn't presume to know the intricacies of a trade before serving some real learning time with their mentor.

fifi

[Sayly]

We have gone from pet owners to hopefully breeding our first litter later this year.

We have owned the breed as a family for around 20 years now. Several years ago we added Ruby to our family firstly as a pet with the chance to show her, which we have done. We have shown her to her title and she has done very well under specialist judges. We applied for our prefix and lukily we got our first preference.

With the support of Ruby's breeder we have been researching stud dogs and are now down to a couple of choices. Final decisions are being made at the moment.

Jane would need to purchase a bitch from a respected show and breeding kennels with the intention to show it. She should do her research and pick very carefully the lines she wants as this bitch may be her foundation. She then needs to show it with the help of her mentor/s. She needs to research, research, research online (looking at different lines), by talking to others within her state, the country and the world and by reading as many breed specific and canine structure books as possible.

All relevant health testing should be done. Then she can get her prefix. Now she starts reading all she can about breeding. She also needs to find a vet she trusts!

IF her bitch is suitable, she should then get help from her mentor in selecting the right stud dog. She needs to remember she should only be breeding to better the breed. Once the stud dog is selected she contacts stud dog owner and the rest is pretty obvious.

[kyliegirl]

wouldnt jane first need to ask herself why she wants to breed? does she want to improve the breed, be it temperament or quality, or does she just want to breed just because she likes the breed and wants to make more?

[fifi]

I think something worth mentioning is that jane wouldn't need to start with a breeding bitch.

She would be wise to begin in her breed with a good dog, show him and learn the ropes.

Apply for her prefix and continue to learn, join her breed club and see as many specimens of her breed that she can, here and overseas if possible.

Jane would then be in a better position and knowledge base to choose her foundation bitch and have made valuable contacts in her breed to help with her future endevours.

fifi

[mr.mister]

Jane should also find herself a mentor, show her dogs and learn about her breed, before she even considers breeding.

[Bjelkier]

I think something worth mentioning is that jane wouldn't need to start with a breeding bitch.

She would be wise to begin in her breed with a good dog, show him and learn the ropes.

Apply for her prefix and continue to learn, join her breed club and see as many specimens of her breed that she can, here and overseas if possible.

Jane would then be in a better position and knowledge base to choose her foundation bitch and have made valuable contacts in her breed to help with her future endevours.

fifi

+1

[alpha bet]

Firstly Jane.....

To be a breeder you don't necessarily have to show. Perhaps you initially bought a purebred bitch as a pet - you research the breed and discover that your girl might be a pretty good specimen and then go thru and find out what health problems might need to be considered (i.e. HD Scheme etc).

You might have taken your bitch to a club and found that she has a great outgoing temperament and is fun to work with - she is probably a good candidate for a litter.

You learn/read as much as you can about the breeding and whelping of dogs - go round and visit some of the stud dogs of the breed, check that they also have a great temperament and all the health benefits. Perhaps you even consider which dog might compliment your bitches conformation - Once you have registered with your state body and have your prefix you organise the health checks and have the bitch mated. wait 58-63 days and then pups are on the ground..... You are now a registered breeder

As far as becoming a respected breeder - that may come in time. However for who's respect you seek that will be your own decision. Just be true to yourself it would be impossible to expect more. Just go to any show and listen to the way breeders talk about each others stock....

[Simply Grand]

What about working dogs? I don't know anything about this but have heard about "good working lines". How do agility, obedience, tracking etc titles fit in with this?

Also, just out of curiosity, do you have to actually have a dog (male or female) to do the exam and become registered with the kennel council?

[Aziah]

Firstly Jane.....

To be a breeder you don't necessarily have to show. Perhaps you initially bought a purebred bitch as a pet - you research the breed and discover that your girl might be a pretty good specimen and then go thru and find out what health problems might need to be considered (i.e. HD Scheme etc).

You might have taken your bitch to a club and found that she has a great outgoing temperament and is fun to work with - she is probably a good candidate for a litter.

You learn/read as much as you can about the breeding and whelping of dogs - go round and visit some of the stud dogs of the breed, check that they also have a great temperament and all the health benefits. Perhaps you even consider which dog might compliment your bitches conformation - Once you have registered with your state body and have your prefix you organise the health checks and have the bitch mated. wait 58-63 days and then pups are on the ground..... You are now a registered breeder

As far as becoming a respected breeder - that may come in time. However for who's respect you seek that will be your own decision. Just be true to yourself it would be impossible to expect more. Just go to any show and listen to the way breeders talk about each others stock....

Do you continually make posts that imply a) you don't show your dogs and b) you don't think highly of many well respected breeders and exhibitors or am I simply imaging things???

No you don't HAVE to show but for MOST it comes part and parcel and before the actual breeding of dogs!

[SoL]

If you don't show your dogs against the dogs of your peers how the hell can you possibly be breeding "for the good of teh breed"? It is only by showing and seeing others being shown that you get an idea of how the breed is faring today, where it is going and how you can possibly contribute to ensure there is still a breed for the future that is as true to type as possible.

[Janba]

If you don't show your dogs against the dogs of your peers how the hell can you possibly be breeding "for the good of teh breed"? It is only by showing and seeing others being shown that you get an idea of how the breed is faring today, where it is going and how you can possibly contribute to ensure there is still a breed for the future that is as true to type as possible.

Bettering the breed, depending on the breed isn't always about winning conformation. It can also be about dogs that perform really well at what they are meant to do. Is a border collie who has who would rather kill sheep than herd them a good example of his breed even if his conformation is good?

I have a dog that would never win at conformation, mainly on his colour and markings, his coat and his prick ears (I didn't tape them ) but his colour etc are still within standard just not fashionable. I recieve a enquiries about him because he will put the working ability back.

[mr.mister]

You might have taken your bitch to a club and found that she has a great outgoing temperament and is fun to work with - she is probably a good candidate for a litter.

There are thousands upon thousands of dogs who possess this quality - does this mean they should be bred from?

[Greytmate]

I think something worth mentioning is that jane wouldn't need to start with a breeding bitch.

She would be wise to begin in her breed with a good dog, show him and learn the ropes.

Apply for her prefix and continue to learn, join her breed club and see as many specimens of her breed that she can, here and overseas if possible.

Jane would then be in a better position and knowledge base to choose her foundation bitch and have made valuable contacts in her breed to help with her future endevours.

fifi

I agree with this too.

What about working dogs? I don't know anything about this but have heard about "good working lines". How do agility, obedience, tracking etc titles fit in with this?

That is what you would be learning about before buying your foundation bitch. Depending on what work you want to do, you choose the breed. Then as well as (or sometimes instead of) showing, you would be learning which breeders and bloodlines are tending to produce the best dogs for the work.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Greytmate

[Miss B]

I think something worth mentioning is that jane wouldn't need to start with a breeding bitch.

She would be wise to begin in her breed with a good dog, show him and learn the ropes.

Apply for her prefix and continue to learn, join her breed club and see as many specimens of her breed that she can, here and overseas if possible.

Jane would then be in a better position and knowledge base to choose her foundation bitch and have made valuable contacts in her breed to help with her future endevours.

fifi

I agree, that's exactly how I have gone about it myself. I started out with a dog just over a year ago, I waited 8 months for him as I was wanting something from a particular line. And it has been non-stop learning ever since. Learning about showing, how to handle, how to groom, learning about my breed, developing relationships with other exhibitors and breeders within my breed. I now have 2 great mentors and am waiting for a litter to be born later this year in which will hopefully be my foundation bitch.

[dancinbcs]

SBT who decides whether the dog is worthy a specimen to be bred from? Also say Jane does this. She shows her dogs and learns all there is to possibly learn (for arguments sake) then what?

Even after 20 years of successful showing and breeding, Jane will still not know all there is to learn. Novice breeders realise they know nothing. After about 3 or 4 years they think they know everything. If they stick with breeding, a few years later they will start to realise how much they still have to learn. If you are a truly dedicated breeder you never stop learning.

I consider anyone with less than 20 years experience a relative newcomer to the dog world. You need to have observed several generations for their full lifespan to really know a breed. At the first National Border Collie show in 2006 we had a photo taken of all the exhibitors with 20+ years in the breed. There were about 50 breeders in that photo, so newcomers have a long way to go to gain that sort of knowledge and experience.

The best person to decide if your dog is worthy of breeding is your mentor. A mentor should have at least 15-20 years in the breed and have successfully produced numerous titled dogs in whatever field you wish to pursue ie. showing, trialling, herding, retrieving, etc. It is preferable if the your mentor has produced dogs titled in conformation as well as other activities appropriate to the breed.