How Does One Become A Registered Breeder?

[Bindii]

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.

:noidea: Me too!! Same time frames too!

It becomes such a passion too, for the breed. Something that you can't explain until you 'feel' it. Something that is more than just "oh i'd like to breed a litter of pups"

Edited May 11, 2010 by Bindii

[Black Bronson]

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.

That depends on the breed, but the above procedure doesn't work particularly well for working breeds.

[Black Bronson]

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.

Correct

[Wazzat Xolo]

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.

Well I for one will not be showing against anyone and I know I am breeding for the betterment of the breed in many ways, as I have mentors who advise me and are in constant contact, not everyone can show against others in some breeds, I believe its about being honest and up front with your dogs, and the very best specimins that fit the breed standard will continue the breed. I am already looking to lines that will better my lines as I have certain atributes I want to retain and a few I want to change with new lines. The betterment of breeds is as a few have stated not just all conformation.

Any breeder that has NO faults in their lines really needs to have a step back, as I for one dont know of any breed of dog that is faultless, we should all be striving with the very best animals to better the breed.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Wazzat Xolo

[Black Bronson]

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?

Using the German Shepherd as a working dog example, two lines exist within the breed, show and working lines. Show lines are bred with conformation as the priority and working lines are bred for working ability. Although working line GSD's comply with the breed standards more closely than show lines as a whole. Few working lines have the conformation correctness to win shows and few show lines have the ability to work as successfully as a working line.

[Janba]

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.

Its is not just the breeding you are doing now but what is planned in the future that matters. I have just swapped a service fee for a pup that won't be born for another 18 months - all going well. The mating I will do with that bitch pup 2 years + after that is where I want to go with my dogs. The other breeder, who I respect, also agrees it is a good breeding plan and on paper looks very good for what we are aiming to produce.

I learn am learning so much from breeders here and overseas about lines etc in relation to what i want from my chosen breed.

[voloclydes]

as someone who has had to use a working sheep dog i can say....

our worst dog was the most awarded pure breed border collie i have ever had the misfortune to own.

the only thing he wanted to heard was chooks! for lunch. he was terrified of sheep and cattle... would send him to his kennel for a week. to terrified to come out.

there is more to breeding any sort of animal that just confirmation, the best confirmed animal may not tick other more inportant boxes like temperament, ability or brains.

while jane might not know about doggie husbandry per say, she might have other animal husbandary skills which will mean she is in front of the average "town" (not meaning to put townie folks down) person.. like sheep births or horsey births or cattle births. also experience in overall care... from other places can be a huge help too.

[Gayle.]

There's no need to show dogs to be a good breeder.

My boy came from an excellent breeder who doesn't show her dogs. She breeds puppies who make superb companions, live long and healthy lives and excel at whatever activity their owner might want them to try. They conform to the standard, the parents are hip-scored and health tested, the matings are done carefully with an eye to excellent temperament and my boy is one of the nicest, friendliest dogs I have ever met.

[Bilbo Baggins]

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.

IMO this a very pompous statement, and is the reason a lot of newbies give up. ;)

[WreckitWhippet]

Gayle, anyone can breed pets with nice temperaments. A truly successfull breeder, breeds dogs that are the entire package, in terms of type, temperament, structure and soundness.

They are winners in the ring, as well as excelling at other activities.

[Greytmate]

There's no need to show dogs to be a good breeder.

My boy came from an excellent breeder who doesn't show her dogs. She breeds puppies who make superb companions, live long and healthy lives and excel at whatever activity their owner might want them to try. They conform to the standard, the parents are hip-scored and health tested, the matings are done carefully with an eye to excellent temperament and my boy is one of the nicest, friendliest dogs I have ever met.

I would disagree. Breeders of excellence breed dogs that excel in their field. They cannot do that without some sort of competition.

Your breeder doesn't sound excellent, she sounds like she breeds good pets though. Breeders of excellence also produce pet quality, but their goal is to produce something more than just nice, friendly, healthy dogs.

[Gayle.]

Gayle, anyone can breed pets with nice temperaments. A truly successfull breeder, breeds dogs that are the entire package, in terms of type, temperament, structure and soundness.

They are winners in the ring, as well as excelling at other activities.

They do win in the ring...the pups and their offspring do. The breeder, however, doesn't show her dogs.

ETA, in fact one dog from this breeder was the first tailed Aussie to gain a championship title in Australia.

Edited May 12, 2010 by GayleK

[Gayle.]

There's no need to show dogs to be a good breeder.

My boy came from an excellent breeder who doesn't show her dogs. She breeds puppies who make superb companions, live long and healthy lives and excel at whatever activity their owner might want them to try. They conform to the standard, the parents are hip-scored and health tested, the matings are done carefully with an eye to excellent temperament and my boy is one of the nicest, friendliest dogs I have ever met.

I would disagree. Breeders of excellence breed dogs that excel in their field. They cannot do that without some sort of competition.

Your breeder doesn't sound excellent, she sounds like she breeds good pets though. Breeders of excellence also produce pet quality, but their goal is to produce something more than just nice, friendly, healthy dogs.

Are agility, obedience and herding not competitions?

[Aziah]

Gayle, anyone can breed pets with nice temperaments. A truly successfull breeder, breeds dogs that are the entire package, in terms of type, temperament, structure and soundness.

They are winners in the ring, as well as excelling at other activities.

They do win in the ring...the pups and their offspring do. The breeder, however, doesn't show her dogs.

ETA, in fact one dog from this breeder was the first tailed Aussie to gain a championship title in Australia.

It clearly states on your breeders website exactly how they feel about their definition of 'Showies' and that they themselves as breeders fit somewhere between 'Showies' and their definition of 'Backyarders' (as in back yard breeder)?

ETA: I'm not having a dig at your breeder Gayle, but it's frustrating when people comment on the dog showing/breeding fraternity when they don't participate on a regular basis.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Aziah

[Miranda]

I would recommend that Jane purchase a male puppy from a reputable, experienced breeder who is prepared to help her, she should show the dog, title it if she can and only then think about looking for a bitch and obtaining a prefix. Although showing has its detractors it is one of the best ways to acquire a thorough grounding in your breed of choice. She needs to see as many representatives of the breed as possible, read about the breed's history, study the breed standard and learn how to interpret it. If she's interested in a working breed she should also endeavour to see the dogs carrying out the tasks for which they were originally bred. She needs to know what health problems exist and how to avoid them and this includes researching different bloodlines both past and present and understanding how and what they've contributed to the breed. She needs to learn about canine anatomy and behaviour, the canine reproductive system, about mating, gestation and whelping and postpartum care of the bitch and puppies. She needs to be present when a bitch is actually giving birth and learn what to do if any problems arise.

If she wants to become an outstanding breeder who strives to produce healthy dogs that excel in conformation, type and temperament the best way to do it properly is to find a mentor and put in the years of time and effort required.

[Gayle.]

ETA: I'm not having a dig at your breeder Gayle, but it's frustrating when people comment on the dog showing/breeding fraternity when they don't participate on a regular basis.

They used to.

[oakway]

Gayle, anyone can breed pets with nice temperaments. A truly successfull breeder, breeds dogs that are the entire package, in terms of type, temperament, structure and soundness.

They are winners in the ring, as well as excelling at other activities.

Hear, Hear.

[Greytmate]

Are agility, obedience and herding not competitions?

They are.

Excellence in any field can only be ascertained by competition. How else would you know who was excellent, and who was just adequate?

But it doesn't seem that your breeder is aiming for excellence in any of these fields are they?

[Gayle.]

Do you know her?

[Greytmate]

Do you know her?

No, but you haven't been able to explain why she is an excellent breeder, rather than just another pet quality breeder. How can we measure the excellence?