Let me give you an eye opener on breeding. On Easter Sunday(by the way you won't get holidays or rest) Jolene my 10# girl gave birth in the morning to a blessed little girl. I watched Jolene carefully(she was due Fri. before)but she showed no signs of having more. I was still not easy so told my husband we would have to drive separately to his mom's house for Easter dinner. I left at 12:30 pm and returned at 3:00. Checked Jolene immediately and she looked really glum. I knew something was wrong so called my friend to come over to give her shot of oxytocin after we checked her and decided she still had more kids to come. She had a puppy stuck and though we tried to move it do you know how much room you have in a Yorkie lol. We decided it was time to take her to emergency vet. I called them and they said it would be between $1000 to $1500. We went back to get Jolene and she had passed the dead puppy. It was folded in half and could not get out. My friend went home and I watched Jolene as she had 3 more puppies including another dead one. 3 live kids. Meanwhile Louise who is 5# and was not due till the 16th got stirred up by all the excitement and went into labor same night. I watched Louise have 1 dead puppy then 2 live ones and 4th puppy got stuck. I tried to turn it but it did not work so at 5:00am I am talking to Lou while she rests between pushes and at 7:50 I am on phone to my vet about bringing Lou to vet to get puppy out. I walk back in room and she is cleaning dead puppy. 4 dead puppies in 24 hrs is a terrible toll but does happen. The heartbreak of thinking what if something happens to my girl. It is very hard emotionally to be a breeder. Both girls this was their 2nd litter . They had no problems the 1st time. No indications there was going to be any this time but stuff does happen. So do alot of reading about what can happen. Do you have a vet who will meet you on holidays or weekend or middle of the nite for an emergency? Now for the good part? Watching the proud mamas feeding their crew, holding the little tiny darlings and the sweet smell of puppy breath. Watching everyday for their eyes to open, seeing their individual personalities growing as each day goes by. These are your rewards. By the way don't count on making alot of money lol. You spend more on them then you get back, sometimes you break even if your lucky. So do alot of research before delving into breeding as it does not always turn out with no problems. Good luck, Sue |