Older Breeder - Do You Long For The Old Days?

[JulesP]

Not sure if this will come out right as I have been sitting outside drinking wine, lol.

I bred my first (and only) litter 10 year ago. I had one disease to worry about and there was no DNA testing it was done on parentage. I had a nice bitch, who I titled in obedience. I got help from my breed club in picking a male. There was no questioning about whether I intended to improve the breed etc etc. I don't think my mentor even asked why I was wanting to breed.

I had a litter because I wanted the experience.

Did I get Hip tests done? No. I had the vet give her hips a feel. 20 years in my breed and I don't know one dog with HD. A couple with OCD but that could be because they go too hard as pups.

Why is this all so hard now? Is it because I read DOL and I know all the things I should be doing? Surely it shouldn't be this hard?

Even the market annoys me. I would prefer my pups go to pet homes. The only pup I sold to a show home last time didn't end well. Wouldn't want to do that again. The pet homes though called me with tears to ask if I was still breeding as their beloved pet had passed and they wanted another of my breeding. Breeding for pet homes is a no-no.

Why is it now so hard to breed puppies?

[poodlemum]

I know exactly where you're coming from Jules - I can remember when Standard Poodles were "bullet-proof" - no PRA, no Hip Dysplasia, no Sebacious Adonitis, none of the problems for which Poodles are routinely tested nowadays!

Over 17 years of breeding I have bred 9 litters and the vast majority have been to pet homes - by the standards of some on DOL, this makes me near as dammit to a BYB

[Christina]

Its so hard because we have more knowledge, more available tests & the internet.

We learn as we grow.

I also knew very little about health issues in my breed at 1st, about 18 years ago, did know a fair bit about cats & dogs & had some knowledge of the standard, knew some shocking breeders & bred with a couple of dogs that I would not dream of doing so now.

The more we try for perfection & to get everything right the harder it gets.

I don't long for the old days.

Think its good we are now more aware, can health test & although frustrating & expensive when things don't go to plan I enjoy the challenge of getting it right & trying to improve.

[alpha bet]

I started out in the early 80's with German Shepherds. I was lucky to have a couple of breeders who really where out to help and a couple of my first litters where in partnership/breeders terms.

GSD's had a breed survey system and we were already conducting xray for hips and elbows - there was also booklets published each year with the show critiques of each and every dog at the speciality shows - from 1st to last.... also breeders classes, sire progeny classes - so really a wealth of information available to new people interested in breeding as well as a lot of support from some of the old school breeders. They were always happy to recommend what stud dogs might suit even if the dog belonged to someone else.

Nowdays I have the aussie shepherds - nowhere near the amount of information or support available - at least we have the DNA to help with the health aspects.

Do I miss the old days - I would say that I miss the openness of the system that was in place with the GSD Association - if there was any problems with any of the stud dogs or the breeders ethics - the word was spread damm quick.