Breeding goals

[AMD]

How does a breeder set goals for him/herself? I know the standard discribes the perfect dog, but what are some of the goals you set out for? I want to become a breeder, but how can you get anywhere without knowing where you're going. Obviously breeding to the standard, and perfecting lines, but it seems like there would be more precise goals. What am I missing?

[Ladyhawk]

After you've studied, looked at tons of pictures, watched lots of shows. picked as many brains as you can, when you close your eyes what do you picture as your perfect yorkie? I have a specific picture in my head, I know what type I like and what I don't like. I know the best features and the worst features in my breeding stock. Yesterday one of my customers brought in her pup that she bought from me to show me. She was an adorable, happy dog, sell socialized, of good temperment and easily trained. The owner is absolutely delighted with her and I'm thrilled that she is. It made me feel so good that I was able to bring joy to her life through this little dog that I had produced. Even so I looked at her and thought, I'd like to see that topline just a bit tighter and and her coat just a little heavier silk. That's because I was comparing her to the perfect yorkie in my mind. One side of me wants desperately to produce this showdog that calls to me but the other side of me is tickled pink with producing lovable, healthy pets that my clients adore. I don't know if I'll ever play with the big boys in the ring but I plan to enjoy the journey anyway.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by AMD

How does a breeder set goals for him/herself? I know the standard discribes the perfect dog, but what are some of the goals you set out for? I want to become a breeder, but how can you get anywhere without knowing where you're going. Obviously breeding to the standard, and perfecting lines, but it seems like there would be more precise goals. What am I missing?

No you aren't missing anything. Breeding healthy, happy, well structured dogs is the most important thing a breeder can do. Each breeding that takes place is fixing something that you'd like to improve on. It can be a topline, it can be a front or a rear, ear set, coat color, lay back, tail set.... Remember there is no perfect dog. The standard is describing what you are striving for.

[Lorraine]

My goal, when I first started was to breed some nice dogs that I can show myself, sell anything I don't want for the show rings as nice pets to people who are excellent homes.
My goal hasn't changed over the years. I found however, in order to do that, I needed a mentor(s) to help me know what a great dog looks like and why. I also needed help choosing what to keep and what not to keep in a breeding program. I could not apply the breed standard on my own as I didn't know enough about how to interpret that standard. I needed well seasoned show experienced breeders of many generations show dogs of their own breeding to help me.
I can't fathom how any breeder can help someone with show dogs who hasn't done it themselves.
I had to be willing to run a dog or bitch on to a year old or even more to decide if this was a good addition to my breeding program. Then be willing to spay/neuter no matter how much I had put into it because it just was not to my expectations.
I had to decide that my dogs don't owe me anything; they don't owe me an income, they don't have to support themselves, they cost me money and that's the way it is.
I could sell likely a show dog but I don't because foremost, I don't feel I have established my own line and people would want one of my dogs for the kennel name(s) that is behind it. If I get to the stage where my pedigrees are primarily my kennel name on most of my dogs, I guess I would consider that I have arrived.
Meanwhile, I consider the advice and experience of longtime reputable show breeders. And strive to produce a nice Yorkie with my original goal still in mind.

[BamaFan121s]

Short and sweet, I look at it as you take two specimens of the breed and try to produce even better offspring with the breeding, correcting and improving any traits that may not be quite perfect in the process. (Again traits and faults...2 different things. ) Pretty much what those three up there already said!

[dray]

My goal is to learn and to keep learning. To watch movement and to touch as many dogs as I can. In the end what my goal is, is to produce dogs that I am proud of and that hold up to my standard as well as the Yorkshire Terrier Standard. To get to know as many of the older breeders as I can and to share time with them, that is where the information is.

I was told when I started with this breed, that it was a hard one to get right. That was an understatement!!!! Not only is it a hard one , it comes with a group of women that do not trust their dogs to just anyone. You have to work your way into the group.

Anyone can breed pets.........I am looking for more........

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by dray

My goal is to learn and to keep learning. To watch movement and to touch as many dogs as I can. In the end what my goal is, is to produce dogs that I am proud of and that hold up to my standard as well as the Yorkshire Terrier Standard. To get to know as many of the older breeders as I can and to share time with them, that is where the information is.

I was told when I started with this breed, that it was a hard one to get right. That was an understatement!!!! Not only is it a hard one , it comes with a group of women that do not trust their dogs to just anyone. You have to work your way into the group.

Anyone can breed pets.........I am looking for more........

Fully agree.....but, remember there are several yorkie breeder/exhibitor's that are men too that are part of that circle.

[dray]

I do not know any of the men yet , sorry did not mean to leave them out!!!

[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by Lorraine

My goal, when I first started was to breed some nice dogs that I can show myself, sell anything I don't want for the show rings as nice pets to people who are excellent homes.
My goal hasn't changed over the years. I found however, in order to do that, I needed a mentor(s) to help me know what a great dog looks like and why. I also needed help choosing what to keep and what not to keep in a breeding program. I could not apply the breed standard on my own as I didn't know enough about how to interpret that standard. I needed well seasoned show experienced breeders of many generations show dogs of their own breeding to help me.
I can't fathom how any breeder can help someone with show dogs who hasn't done it themselves.
I had to be willing to run a dog or bitch on to a year old or even more to decide if this was a good addition to my breeding program. Then be willing to spay/neuter no matter how much I had put into it because it just was not to my expectations.
I had to decide that my dogs don't owe me anything; they don't owe me an income, they don't have to support themselves, they cost me money and that's the way it is.
I could sell likely a show dog but I don't because foremost, I don't feel I have established my own line and people would want one of my dogs for the kennel name(s) that is behind it. If I get to the stage where my pedigrees are primarily my kennel name on most of my dogs, I guess I would consider that I have arrived.
Meanwhile, I consider the advice and experience of longtime reputable show breeders. And strive to produce a nice Yorkie with my original goal still in mind.

Lorraine, excellent post! You said it all! Having a long time reputable show breeder/exhibitor to advise and direct is invaluable. Although, I showed other breeds and bred very selectively years ago, Yorkies were something entirely new to me. I have been so fortunate to have found a wonderful mentor (actually 2, I kind of got a package deal) that are willing to lead me in the right direction. I now have a new beautiful little boy and, yes, I do look forward to breeding my first Yorkie champion, but that will be down the road after championing this little guy. I still have a lot of learning to do, but am fortunate to have the right people to help me along the way. Everything takes time, patience and study and a "good friend" to lead you down the right path.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Fully agree.....but, remember there are several yorkie breeder/exhibitor's that are men too that are part of that circle.

[Mardelin]

There is Exmoor (both men), Tapiyoca, Carl Yokum, Le Chaz, Whirlwinds (both men), Wolpert's (half of that team is Mr.) Tea Time (half of that team is a Mr) Apogee, (Carl Trehus/past YTCA President), Paray, Tray Pitman, Riverwalk (both men on that team), Guemart (Jesus Guerrero); Chobie's (half that team is a Mr) Foxfire (half of that team is a Mr.) Carneal (half of the team is a Mr.)

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I know where you're going with that one.....but, you are only half right?

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I know where you're going with that one.....but, you are only half right?

It's eeeeeearly...I'm tiiiiiiiired....out late w/ the family for sis's college graduation last night, you'll have to excuse me. I am currently reaking havoc on a Disney board as well.

It just hit me as funny, then dray's post followed and it was like, "Men? What men?"
I chat w/ women breeders on here all of the time...every day, several times. I don't talk with breeders nearly as frequently of the board and when I do, they are women too. It is easy to fool yourself into thinking it's a woman's world, so when the men get brought up it's like everything freezes for a moment...."Oh yeaaaaah...them..."

(Did I mention I'm tired?)

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

It's eeeeeearly...I'm tiiiiiiiired....out late w/ the family for sis's college graduation last night, you'll have to excuse me. I am currently reaking havoc on a Disney board as well.

It just hit me as funny, then dray's post followed and it was like, "Men? What men?"
I chat w/ women breeders on here all of the time...every day, several times. I don't talk with breeders nearly as frequently of the board and when I do, they are women too. It is easy to fool yourself into thinking it's a woman's world, so when the men get brought up it's like everything freezes for a moment...."Oh yeaaaaah...them..."

(Did I mention I'm tired?)

I thought you were going a whole different route with that one.

But, there men that show and breed too. Then there are those husbands that are in the background, that are very strong supports. They help with the whelping, keeping equipment clean, feeding and staying at home babsitting those that aren't on the show circuit. For instance mine, he feeds, runs them to the vets, cleans x-pens, loads the car, cooks the bait and knows how to put up a topknot and clean a dirty butt. At local shows you can see him helping me groom and at ringside holding a dog, while I'm in the ring. And when one of my girls is with whelp, he takes over with their care, nutrition, before and after whelping.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

But, there men that show and breed too.

Yeah yeah, I know, I know.