What do I need to be a good breeder?

[Marilize]

I have been a member of YT for more than two years and I have owned yorkies for that time. Every morning, I spend an hour or two researching yorkies and most afternoons, I am also on YT.

So, in two years, I want to start my own breeding program. I bought a beautiful girl earlier this year and she is very healthy at 5 months. The breeder I got her from knows that I plan to breed and she helped me pick out the best puppy. In hundreds of ways, June is the best thing that ever happened to me and I love her with all my heart.

I know that all YT members, especially the breeders, care a lot about their dogs and about the breeding practices of others, and I want to assure you that I feel exactly the same.

I really love yorkies and I want to start a breeding program to better the breed and to provide healthy, socialized puppies for caring people.

I have been reading about breeding for about 5 months and although I am nowhere near ready, I know about the risks and the precautions that need to be taken into account.

I would never breed a female under 5 lbs, so I hope June gets to be this size. If she doesn't, I won't breed her, I will just love her.

I am also passionate about home cooking and the organic lifestyle, so I want to raise the puppies on a healthy home cooked, nutritionist-balanced diet.

I have already put together an instruction sheet, my list for puppy care packages, recipes for home cooking, bill of sale and health guarantee.

Ok, so my question is: what do I need to do to be a good breeder? I want to show my dogs, breed ethically and responsibly. What should I do with regards to limited registration/spaying/neutering? I don't want one of my puppies to end up in a home where it is bred irresponsibly.

Another question: how long is the optimal health guarantee? 1 year? 2 years?

Feel free to quiz me on my breeding knowledge! I welcome any questions about my plan, my dogs, myself and my reasons for breeding. I really want to be one of the best breeders one day and I would really love the help of the great people of YT.

Any advice or questions will be greatly appreciated!

[BaxtersMommy]

I wish you the best of luck. I am wanting to do the same thing. I love them so much! But, like you, I am not ready yet.

[Marilize]

Baxtersmommy, do you plan to breed holistically? I saw the signature on your message and was curious.

What do you feed your dogs?

[BaxtersMommy]

I am very careful about what I feed my pets. I studied a lot of foods, and I believe in Lifes Abundance formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks. She is a phone call away and I trust her with my pet nutrition.

The website is www.healthyhappypets.biz Watch the video, Do you know whats in dogfood. It is eye opening! Even some of the best brands are not good. I wouldnt buy any food at the pet store. However, Some are better than others.

Breeding is something I would love to get into, but I have to Learn a lot first. So, I am not rushing that. (but I do have a breeder willing to help me and teach me the ropes) Maybe a few years down the road. I am just so in love with this breed. )

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Marilize

I have been a member of YT for more than two years and I have owned yorkies for that time. Every morning, I spend an hour or two researching yorkies and most afternoons, I am also on YT.

So, in two years, I want to start my own breeding program. I bought a beautiful girl earlier this year and she is very healthy at 5 months. The breeder I got her from knows that I plan to breed and she helped me pick out the best puppy. In hundreds of ways, June is the best thing that ever happened to me and I love her with all my heart.

I know that all YT members, especially the breeders, care a lot about their dogs and about the breeding practices of others, and I want to assure you that I feel exactly the same.

I really love yorkies and I want to start a breeding program to better the breed and to provide healthy, socialized puppies for caring people.

I have been reading about breeding for about 5 months and although I am nowhere near ready, I know about the risks and the precautions that need to be taken into account.

I would never breed a female under 5 lbs, so I hope June gets to be this size. If she doesn't, I won't breed her, I will just love her.

I am also passionate about home cooking and the organic lifestyle, so I want to raise the puppies on a healthy home cooked, nutritionist-balanced diet.

I have already put together an instruction sheet, my list for puppy care packages, recipes for home cooking, bill of sale and health guarantee.

Ok, so my question is: what do I need to do to be a good breeder? I want to show my dogs, breed ethically and responsibly. What should I do with regards to limited registration/spaying/neutering? I don't want one of my puppies to end up in a home where it is bred irresponsibly.

Another question: how long is the optimal health guarantee? 1 year? 2 years?

Feel free to quiz me on my breeding knowledge! I welcome any questions about my plan, my dogs, myself and my reasons for breeding. I really want to be one of the best breeders one day and I would really love the help of the great people of YT.

Any advice or questions will be greatly appreciated!

You're on your way to good start.

Read the YTCA code of ethics and conduct. Go to breeding and whelping seminars. Learn everything about the structure of the yorkie. YTCA has an illustrated standard of the yorkshire terrier that you can purchase. Study it. Investigate and study pedigrees.

A gurantee can be 1, 2, 5 or even a lifetime. What is more important is what is in the contract/gurantee.

There is an article that describes what makes a great breeder. There are different stages and some never achieve it.

Make sure that when you begin your breeding program that you begin with the best foundation your money can buy.

You mentioned showing and showing your dog is for the purpose of gaining aprroval of your breeding stock. I personally perfer not to breed a dog unless it has been Championed.

If you haven't already find a mentor, one that has a good track record in the dog world.

Some start breeding prior to showing and others don't breed until they've shown for a few years. I personnaly didn't begin until I championed 3 dogs.

But, as you say learn everything you can.

[Marilize]

Baxtersmommy, I am busy reading Dr. Pitcairn's on natural health for cats and dogs. I was very shocked when I learnt about all the animal byproducts, chemicals, etc. I will never again feed my dogs a commercial food. I prefer to make my own (according to the recipes and info in the book) because then I know what is in the food.
I have always hated using chemicals on my dogs, so the book was great. I don't know if you have read it, but it gives all kinds of tips on everything from arthritis to cleaning furniture. It also gave me reassurance that going natural is the best.

Mardelin, thank you so much for the information. It is exactly the type of advice that I want.

I am planning to attend quite a few dog shows this year and then, if June fits the standard well enough, I would like to find someone who can mentor me in showing and breeding. I do have someone who can mentor me, but I may have to find someone closer to me.

I have a specific question: What is the best way to acquire champion stock?
Also, what is the chance that June will fit the standard if she has no champions in her background? I understand that for a dog to be a champion, its owners had to show the dog. My breeder didn't show, however.

By the way, June is KUSA registered (they are the only registering body in South Africa) and so far, she fits the standard. If she doesn't fit the standard, I won't breed her.

So, that is the main reason behind the champion stock question. I really want to start a breeding program, but as in everything else that I do in my life, I won't do it if I can't do it well. If June isn't standard, my breeding program won't begin with her.

I would really like some more information and advice from any experience breeders or any other YT members. I really want to do my best and I am counting on the amazing people at YT to help me.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Marilize

Baxtersmommy, I am busy reading Dr. Pitcairn's on natural health for cats and dogs. I was very shocked when I learnt about all the animal byproducts, chemicals, etc. I will never again feed my dogs a commercial food. I prefer to make my own (according to the recipes and info in the book) because then I know what is in the food.
I have always hated using chemicals on my dogs, so the book was great. I don't know if you have read it, but it gives all kinds of tips on everything from arthritis to cleaning furniture. It also gave me reassurance that going natural is the best.

Mardelin, thank you so much for the information. It is exactly the type of advice that I want.

I am planning to attend quite a few dog shows this year and then, if June fits the standard well enough, I would like to find someone who can mentor me in showing and breeding. I do have someone who can mentor me, but I may have to find someone closer to me.

I have a specific question: What is the best way to acquire champion stock?
Also, what is the chance that June will fit the standard if she has no champions in her background? I understand that for a dog to be a champion, its owners had to show the dog. My breeder didn't show, however.

By the way, June is KUSA registered (they are the only registering body in South Africa) and so far, she fits the standard. If she doesn't fit the standard, I won't breed her.

So, that is the main reason behind the champion stock question. I really want to start a breeding program, but as in everything else that I do in my life, I won't do it if I can't do it well. If June isn't standard, my breeding program won't begin with her.

I would really like some more information and advice from any experience breeders or any other YT members. I really want to do my best and I am counting on the amazing people at YT to help me.

I have a specific question: What is the best way to acquire champion stock?
Also, what is the chance that June will fit the standard if she has no champions in her background? I understand that for a dog to be a champion, its owners had to show the dog. My breeder didn't show, however.


The best way is to start studying pedigrees. Attending dog shows, allowing those experienced breeder/exhibitors to see you heart is in the right place and you are not it just to breed for $$$$. It takes a while, but it does happen.

It took me almost two years before my mentor allowed me to have one of her dogs.......Having a knowledgable mentor is worth their weight in gold. Mine has been with me every step of the way and still is. But, once you find your mentor, listen and learn.....soak everything up. You must be a willing student.

Once you get that coveted dog, a breeder will have a contract and expect you to Champion it. A respected/responsible breeder will only allow you to breed it after it's been Championed. My mentor allowed me to breed only after I finished 3 Champions.

When you go do a dog show....watch, listen and keep quiet......Watch how they groom, watch how they handle a dog.....etc.

What I'm about to say next is not meant to start an arguement, but just my opinion based on averages. I've not had the oppurtunity to see June and have my hands on her to make an educated guess that she has what it takes. AKC Championing a dog without coming from a long line of Champions has been done, but it takes an exceptional dog. I know plenty of exhibitors that have started the way you are attempting to and had to go back to the drawing board, do the home work and obtain the best dogs their money could buy. There are no short cuts and to coin a phrase from another exhibitor breeder "If you want a short cut, go to a barber". This breed is not easy, you can't just put two dogs together and expect a silk purse. Remember there are plenty of pet breeders out there. You want to strive for the best.

[Marilize]

Mardelin, thank you so much for the advice. With every line I read, my plan becomes clearer.

Thanks again.

[soryloveyorkie]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

You're on your way to good start.

Read the YTCA code of ethics and conduct. Go to breeding and whelping seminars. Learn everything about the structure of the yorkie. YTCA has an illustrated standard of the yorkshire terrier that you can purchase. Study it. Investigate and study pedigrees.

A gurantee can be 1, 2, 5 or even a lifetime. What is more important is what is in the contract/gurantee.

There is an article that describes what makes a great breeder. There are different stages and some never achieve it.

Make sure that when you begin your breeding program that you begin with the best foundation your money can buy.

You mentioned showing and showing your dog is for the purpose of gaining aprroval of your breeding stock. I personally perfer not to breed a dog unless it has been Championed.

If you haven't already find a mentor, one that has a good track record in the dog world.

Some start breeding prior to showing and others don't breed until they've shown for a few years. I personnaly didn't begin until I championed 3 dogs.

But, as you say learn everything you can.

Thank you this is a good answer for everyone who thinks about breeding.