Breeding

[Sayreovi]

For me, the desire to breed was just part of a natural progression - I fell in love with my breed, acquired my first dog, became hooked on showing. Titled (and then desexed) my first dog, found myself a wonderful mentor, acquired my second dog. All going well, she will be my foundation bitch. I'm sure mine is quite a common story

Same, for me it was natural.

I had an idea that I wanted to do it after seeing my Aunt with her beautiful Cav's but the decision was made 100% after getting my first Sammie.

Another with a similar story.

I've always had an interest in being a breeder, so I started off with 2 male show dogs and only recently got my first bitch and all going well I will have a litter of Toller puppies early next year

[ravenau1]

It won't let me vote, but for me it's "never ever will".

I once had a cat who had kittens (she showed up at our backdoor one day, in horrible condition and very pregnant) and even though absolutely nothing went wrong with the birth it was so traumatic and gross I couldn't go through it again

[ashka1]

I was always going to be a breeder. My parents fell into breeding 40+ years ago as they purchased a very nice bitch that the breeder decided to show and breed from. I was fascinated with genetics and pedigrees from a very young age and was encourged by the breeder of my parents bitch. I dont have the same breed now, and dont breed often. I love the strive for perfection of health and confirmation. I love my chosen breed. Though there are day I say never again.

[benshiva]

Most of the breeders in my breed have been around well over 20 years.

...

Puppy farmers and export agents have now ruined the way things worked. No one is game to sell main register puppies for fear of where they will end up but it means that no new buyers are becoming breeders and exhibitors, unless they specifially plan, research and basically do an apprenticeship. r.

I am assuming the above statements are limited to/relate to breeders who exhibit. I certainly don't see them as true for those breeding for the performance & pet market

I would include the majority of reputable, dedicated show and performance breeders in the category. I don't count the miriad producers of coloured puppies, all sold on limit register, at inflated prices, to make a quick buck. They contribute nothing to breed and are basically registered puppy producers not breeders.

At the first BC National in 2006 at least 75% of the exhibitors in show, obedience, agility and herding had been in the breed for over 20 years. The club took a photo of all of us with 20+ years breed experience and the majority of the people present were in that photo.

It was amazing to be at the National and see that wealth of knowledge about my beloved breed there. I love that photo :p

[blackdog]

My wife and I celebrate 31 years in our chosen breed this year and for the past 25 years we have been breeding.

A quick check of my records reveals that we have only bred 12 litters in all that time.

We breed for ourselves first and if there are some quality puppies available after we have made our selections these always go to caring families. Occassionally we may sell or transfer a youngster to another breeder but this is very rare indeed.

Our involvement became more than just a hobby when we joined our State Breed Club in 1980 - after that the bug really began to bite.

We I was a kid growing up in suburban Brisbane a "breeder" was held in the highest esteem.

It didn't matter whether it was a dog breeder or a poultry breeder or a horse breeder - these people were like Gods in my young mind.

They spoke slowly and with authority - they really knew their stuff and could be relied upon for sound advice.

I live in hope that one day communitity attitudes may come full circle and experienced responsible breeders will once again be treated with the respect that they deserve. And I live in hope of one day finding a solution to the puppy farm industry "blight" that destroys public confidence in what responsible breeders are trying to achieve.

[SparkyTansy]

For me, the desire to breed was just part of a natural progression - I fell in love with my breed, acquired my first dog, became hooked on showing. Titled (and then desexed) my first dog, found myself a wonderful mentor, acquired my second dog. All going well, she will be my foundation bitch. I'm sure mine is quite a common story

Same, for me it was natural.

I had an idea that I wanted to do it after seeing my Aunt with her beautiful Cav's but the decision was made 100% after getting my first Sammie.

Another with a similar story.

I've always had an interest in being a breeder, so I started off with 2 male show dogs and only recently got my first bitch and all going well I will have a litter of Toller puppies early next year

me too I have an interest in two breeds however, and the first two showdogs I have are not the same breed as my current showdog and foundation bitch. I have a great mentor in the second breed and the first breed is on the backburner for a while.

[RallyValley]

I will likely breed one day I enjoy showing and dog sports and my next dog will be a bitch so IF she passes health tests, picks up a show Ch. and some performance titles AND her breeder thinks she can add something to the genepool I will consider breeding. And if not, she will be neutered once she is physically mature and when I am ready for a dog again it will likely be another bitch (a preference for me) and then there will be the same conditions.

I am a molecular genetics student at Uni so I find the genetics/pedigrees side of things fascinating. I love looking to see what is produced in others litters and looking at a few offspring from the same sire/dam but different litters and trying to work out what came from where and what seems to be the dominant trait.

I am applying for my prefix soon, just because I finally got around to filling in the paperwork over my summer holidays and I have a name I like so I want to try and get it.

[OSoSwift]

I always said no, however times have changed, my breed changed and I have very knowledgable people who are very happy to help me out. So now it is yes and we will be having a litter in the next little while.

[Janba]

I have been a breeder, bred my first litter 30 years ago but haven't bred a litter for years. I've always intended to breed again but never seem to find the right bitch. Hopefully there will be a bitch that will be right for me in a litter a friend is planning and allowing me some input into the dog she is going to use (both her current prospects are very good dogs).

[Monah]

I can't seem to vote in the second poll. ETA: sorted.

I consider it from time to time but think its pretty unlikely. Not sure I"m the tough stuff that breeders need to be made of.

Same here.. I haven't got the knowledge and..

I'd suffer major stress for a few reasons if anything went wrong for a start. Also, i'm a 'fast and heavy' bonder, I could't part with anything, never have been able to. very very VERY glad of others breeding though!!

I guess if I was knowledgeable enough , and wealthy enough to import the breed I would like to import, I'd consider a male that was able to be a stud dog if needed, as this breed are very uncommon here and I feel that would be the moral and ethical thing to do. But I could see me trying to buy and keep all the pups..

Edited March 2, 2011 by Monah

[SmoothieGirl]

I answered this on the basis that owning a stud dog does not make you a breeder, rather owning whelping bitches does. Mind you, I'm not sure that I have interpreted this as the survey had intended.

I have a pup that is likely to be shown with an option for him to be bred with later on. Its unlikely that I will ever own a breeding bitch, but you never know, I am being sucked ever deeper into the Collie world, so that may change. Never say never. However if I was ever to breed it would be on a super super small scale as I would seriously struggle with homing the pups.

[dancinbcs]

I have always said I would never breed dogs. At this point I can't see that ever changing (although there are circumstances where I would consider a breeder using one of my dogs in the future).

personally if you allow your dog to be used then I consider you a breeder and the onus is on you to present your dog in the best possible way and any health testing that should be done for your breed, would have been done. That you will only allow your dog to be used over suitable bitches that meet your standard. That you are happy your dog can contribute to the breed in a positive way.

I understand what you are saying, but...I have already said that I don't have the knowledge to breed to the standard I want in a dog, choose a suitable stud/bitch or to be sure that offspring would be a positive contribution to the breed. If I were ever to do this (LOL, not likely for a long time since every dog I currently own is sterilised), it would be on the advice & faith in someone who did have this knowledge...not sure if that would make me a breeder or not...

That is how you become a breeder. Find a really good knowledgable mentor and be guided by them in selection of a bitch puppy and the breeding of at least your first two litters. From there you start to form some of your own opinions but if you chose the right mentor, their opinion will always be something you take into consideration.

[dancinbcs]

While ever there are dogs in pounds I could never breed. Just my personal opinion & belief only, doesn't mean I don't disagree with breeding per se

If the only puppies bred were from responsible breeders, there wouldn't be any need for pounds and shelters. I have worked for a major shelter, so have seen both sides and often wonder if people would be more responsible with choosing and raising puppies, if the option of dumping them at a shelter was not available. If their only option was to have them pts, the cycle might stop. Most dogs are in pounds because owners chose the wrong dog in the first place or didn't raise it properly. When it becomes a nuisance they dump it and get another puppy. And so the cycle continues. Why should everyone else be expected to live with the problems these morons create ?

Owning a dog should be a pleasure and buying a well bred puppy from a responsible breeder is the best way to make sure you are not starting with a problem dog. Responsible breeders help with re-homing if one of their dogs needs a new home for genuine reasons and most well raised and trained purebred dogs have no problem finding a new owner, if their original owner has a drastic change in circumstance that means they cannot keep the dog.

So many people surrender dogs because they believe the myth that there are lots of great homes waiting to take on their problem dog. Even telling them the dog will be pts the same day it is surrendered doesn't phase them. If they don't have to do it they don't care.The only trained dogs we ever had surrended to the shelter where I worked, were the few who's owners had passed away and a couple where the owners suddenly faced drastic financial hardship and had to move suddenly to a place they couldn't take their dog. None of these were purebreds from registered breeders who would have organised rehoming so they had to come to the shelter and in most cases were easy to rehome. The majority of surrenders with no training, had greatly reduced chances.

So having worked in a shelter, I would never consider owning a dog from one.

[OSoSwift]

While ever there are dogs in pounds I could never breed. Just my personal opinion & belief only, doesn't mean I don't disagree with breeding per se

While I would not and will not get a dog from the pound.

I want my dogs at 8 to 10 weeks, I want to know their parentage, I want to know what they will look like and the basic temperment they will have along with the breeders input on the individuals temperment as well.

I will not take potluck on a dog whom I have no idea what has happened to it, or how the dog has been raised. Early socialisation and nutrition to me are extremely improtant, as is knowing the parents their temperment and health.

I have just read that and it make me sound very control freak!!!! But those are the reasons I am happy their are ethical breeder from whom I can buy dogs, or help me to breed the dogs I am after.

[Henrietta]

Breeding is not for me. I am very grateful for those that do it and do it well.

I don't have the temperament for breeding. All my dog's are keepers and I just couldn't see me making any contributions to improve a breed. I'd have to have a limit as to how many dogs I could keep without comprimising on quality of care. And then I wouldn't be able to move dogs on. A few others have said they are not 'tough' enough - that's me too.

I also do not have the knowledge or experience, and to be honest I have no desire to become a breeder. I will be very happy to become a breed enthusiast one day... one or two breeds that I love and adore that I will continue to learn about for the rest of my dog owning days. Once I had this knowledge I would be happy to help out anyone interested in my breed. I will be hopefully competing in agility and/or obedience with my dogs and anything else that comes our way.

But breeding will never be on the cards for me.

[Nekhbet]

And if not, she will be neutered once she is physically mature

can I add .. dogs get neutered, bitches get speyed

[Janba]

And if not, she will be neutered once she is physically mature

can I add .. dogs get neutered, bitches get speyed

Dogs get castrated either sex can be neutered. In ANKC the term neutered applies to both dogs and bitches. It depends on which vet, which book which website with the term neutered you read as to what it is applied to.

Edited March 2, 2011 by Janba

[Monah]

I have raised a litter bred by my bitches co-owner, and I enjoyed doing that. I currently only own and have a strong preference for male dogs, so that puts breeding litters out However I would consider breeding a litter myself in the future, probably so that I can get what I want (hopefully) in my breed/s as I'm just not seeing the breedings I'd be interested in happening.

Me me me I'd like mine in red...

Edited March 2, 2011 by Monah

[Diva]

I have owned my fav breed since the eighties and have never bred a litter despite owning several lovely girls. But I have a bitch now that I think has a few important things going for her, and I love messing about with options for sires on paper - so maybe, one day. Probably not - but I'll investigate health testing (not usually done at all in this breed in Aust) and if I can find the right dog for her, maybe!

[CaseyKay]

Would never breed. I only like to own and work (sports) with girls, in my chosen breed border collies. Having them come on heat every 6 months would be disruptive. All my girls have been spayed when mature. I would worry if anything would happen to my beloved girls while pregnant/whelping and then I would have to keep all the puppies as well in case new owners were unkind to them or neglectful.