Opninions, please: Tango Haus

[BorderKelpie]

I have atually gone to this lady's home and met her and several of her dogs. I was impressed with her, her place was clean and she was very outgoing and friendly. She did have kennels out back, but they were spotless and odorless. (Nicer than my yard, that's for sure lol). She had some of her dogs inside while we were talking and they were calm, social and relaxed. (well, the tiny poodle was silly and active, but very friendly).
I was just wondering your opinion on this set up. She is close to my home.

It will be a looong time before I can get a showdog, but, I didn't figure it would hurt just to look around and get my research started. And, I get to practice grooming/training on my almost Yorkies now.

I am also interested in a Amazing Yorkie, but do rather like the color options with these guys. Like I stated, I'm in the research stage, so I am checking all my options. This will be someone I will spend a lot of time and money on and want us both to be happy.

biewers - biewer yorkie puppies, biewers for sale, biewers in Texas

Thanks!

[Nancy1999]

I have no problem with kennels, good breeders often keep their dogs separated in kennels, You don't want dogs breeding willy-nilly. However, I'm confused about the kennels, what do you mean "out back", are the outside? Or are they in a space that can be air conditioned and heated? Yorkies don't have a double coat and can't warm or cool themselves as well as other breeds. Are the dogs let out and allowed to exercise regularly? Show dogs aren't pet dogs, they are working dogs and really need to obey their owners and so sleeping with the dog you will be showing is a big no no among breeders, however the kennels should be in a place that is comfortable enough for a human to live in.

[BorderKelpie]

The kennels were seperate from the house, but they were indoor/outdoor types. Concrete floors with bedding and even landscaped a bit. Very attractive. She let me tour her grooming/whelping area and I was envious. Again, organized, spotless and surprisingly clean and pleasant. AC/heat, lights, etc. Pretty much everything I've always wanted for my working dogs. lol ('cuz, yes, I still groom and blow dry my working dogs. I, and they seem to, like it).
She shows them (the poodles and the Biewers in IABCA (I think that's how it's spelled).

If I got a show dog someday, would I not be able to spoil him/her? I prefer dogs to be pets first. If they win that's a neat bonus, but I want them to be dogs first. I know I wouldn't be able to let it go out back and 'critter.' (I have a small bit of land with chickens, a horse and a pet pig - so we get the occasional varmit and the little dogs LOVE to chase, catch, kill rats and I allow it. One of the reasons I wanted Yorkies in the first place, although, my poodles are rat hunter extradinaires. I am actually considering entering them in Barn Hunts and thought the Yorkies would LOVE that, too. I guess hunting will need to happen after the show 'career' so to protect that coat.

Anyway, I realize that my goal of a showdog is in the future, but I want to enter in with all the facts, so I do it right. I may not be 'showdog' owner material since I do enjoy working, playing and getting dirty with the dogs. Life is for living after all. And, after a good long day of all that, passing out in a dog pile in bed is the perfect ending to a perfect dog day.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BorderKelpie

The kennels were seperate from the house, but they were indoor/outdoor types. Concrete floors with bedding and even landscaped a bit. Very attractive. She let me tour her grooming/whelping area and I was envious. Again, organized, spotless and surprisingly clean and pleasant. AC/heat, lights, etc. Pretty much everything I've always wanted for my working dogs. lol ('cuz, yes, I still groom and blow dry my working dogs. I, and they seem to, like it).
She shows them (the poodles and the Biewers in IABCA (I think that's how it's spelled).

If I got a show dog someday, would I not be able to spoil him/her? I prefer dogs to be pets first. If they win that's a neat bonus, but I want them to be dogs first. I know I wouldn't be able to let it go out back and 'critter.' (I have a small bit of land with chickens, a horse and a pet pig - so we get the occasional varmit and the little dogs LOVE to chase, catch, kill rats and I allow it. One of the reasons I wanted Yorkies in the first place, although, my poodles are rat hunter extradinaires. I am actually considering entering them in Barn Hunts and thought the Yorkies would LOVE that, too. I guess hunting will need to happen after the show 'career' so to protect that coat.

Anyway, I realize that my goal of a showdog is in the future, but I want to enter in with all the facts, so I do it right. I may not be 'showdog' owner material since I do enjoy working, playing and getting dirty with the dogs. Life is for living after all. And, after a good long day of all that, passing out in a dog pile in bed is the perfect ending to a perfect dog day.

The breeders I've talked to say that a good breeder never sells a breeding dog without mentoring the person. First, they have to show the dog and if all goes well, they can breed. In order to show a dog, it has to be trained to listen to ever word you speak, it has to obey every command, all time spent with the dog is spent with meaningful activities such as training and grooming. It's a different relationship than a pet owner has. Also, it's downright dangerous if you are breeding your pet dog who sleeps in your bed, she can give birth during the night in your bed. There are a million other things, but bottom line is most breeders won't even mentor you, if your not going to follow these rules and apparently, this is hard for many to pass. After a show dog is finished showing you can relax some of the rules, but depending on what other dogs you have, you'll still have to keep her away from any males.

You sound like a great owner though, and I'm sure some mentor will be able to see the heart of you and most say that's what really matters. You might want to tie up that Yorkie hair before you lie in a pile of dog bed, coat it everything! Since you might someday show, I let the breeder know I'm interested in that and see if you can build a relationship with her. Best of luck.

[BorderKelpie]

Decades ago, I showed an Aussie. I currently have working dogs that do not sleep with me (they are confined to crates and/or kennels) so i am familier with the training, grooming, living with issues and how things must be modified for the different avenues of dog related sports and hobbies. What I meant by 'pet first' is I have seen some show people (not all are this way) where the ribbons and points meant more than the dogs. The dogs were warehoused and only used for showing and producing the next champion. I refuse to do that. My dogs are dogs first and in my life, that means they are family members. Even my working dogs are given more consideration than some of the show dogs I[ve seen in the past. Again, I do not mean to bash show people. I do know there are good and bad in all areas of life. I am also a member on other forums that make it sound as if people who show dogs and do the kennel thing are evil, etc. I am actually pleased to read that there are people who can see the middle ground.
THe working dogs I have now are not recognized by AKC and we have no intention of getting them recognized that way. But, I do miss the fun and games that showing was for me. It is a hobby, a way to take a break from work and chores, etc. I don't plan on getting totaly wrapped up in it, I would just like to be able to play with and show off my dog on the weekends.
Wow, I don't mean for it to sound as if I'm not serious, but, well, it's sort of like the old saying (modified here) Showing woun't be my whole life, but it will make my life whole. Does that make sense?
I'm looking for a hobby/pasttime since both my kids are pretty much grown, one's already moved out and the other is heading that way. As a divorced single mom, they've been my whole world for a very long time. I deserve a life now. I would love that to be full of dogs.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BorderKelpie

Decades ago, I showed an Aussie. I currently have working dogs that do not sleep with me (they are confined to crates and/or kennels) so i am familier with the training, grooming, living with issues and how things must be modified for the different avenues of dog related sports and hobbies. What I meant by 'pet first' is I have seen some show people (not all are this way) where the ribbons and points meant more than the dogs. The dogs were warehoused and only used for showing and producing the next champion. I refuse to do that. My dogs are dogs first and in my life, that means they are family members. Even my working dogs are given more consideration than some of the show dogs I[ve seen in the past. Again, I do not mean to bash show people. I do know there are good and bad in all areas of life. I am also a member on other forums that make it sound as if people who show dogs and do the kennel thing are evil, etc. I am actually pleased to read that there are people who can see the middle ground.
THe working dogs I have now are not recognized by AKC and we have no intention of getting them recognized that way. But, I do miss the fun and games that showing was for me. It is a hobby, a way to take a break from work and chores, etc. I don't plan on getting totaly wrapped up in it, I would just like to be able to play with and show off my dog on the weekends.
Wow, I don't mean for it to sound as if I'm not serious, but, well, it's sort of like the old saying (modified here) Showing woun't be my whole life, but it will make my life whole. Does that make sense?
I'm looking for a hobby/pasttime since both my kids are pretty much grown, one's already moved out and the other is heading that way. As a divorced single mom, they've been my whole world for a very long time. I deserve a life now. I would love that to be full of dogs.

Yeah, I think a lot of breeders feel like you do about showing. I wasn't sure how much you knew about breeding when you posted, but many here think that you should never put a dog in a kennel, and think if they wouldn't want to be locked in a kennel, neither would a dog. I just wanted to reassure folks that just because a breeder uses kennels, it doesn't mean she's a bad breeder. Other than that, it sounds like you know a whole lot more than I do on the whole subject.

[BorderKelpie]

Thanks, Nancy1999, I am familer with breeding and I so get your points. I'm just looking for some fun and the most fun for me would be with the dogs. I honestly don't know if I would ever have the courage to breed someone as small as a Yorkie. Currently, I average one litter of Kelpies or Coolies every 3 years and I am worse than an expectant husband in the waiting room. lol I pretty much crawl into the whelping box with Mama and do everything I can to make things go smoothly. (I even have both my vets' personal numbers on speeddial lol) Poor guys, I think they've both regretted that more than once.

For right now, I'm going to see about entering my little ones in some Barn Hunts and go from there.

[scrapindee]

There are many rare breed show venues that are much more fun and more relaxed than AKC.

[BorderKelpie]

Originally Posted by scrapindee

There are many rare breed show venues that are much more fun and more relaxed than AKC.

I was thinking that IBCA (I hope I spelled that correctly) and UKC sounded like a bit more fun than AKC. UKC seems to have some great performance venues that I am planning on researching. I know there's more to life than working and going home to rest and get ready for work again. lol I'm hoping for a neat hobby and maybe meet some folks who are as dog-obsessd as I am.

[BorderKelpie]

scrapindee, I was peeking through your site - Team Furry is absolutely adoarable! Now, why can't ARBA have shows local to me? Looks like a good possibility for fun. (I have Kelpies, too - maybe I could show a Kelpie for grins and giggles!)