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Originally Posted by SET Yorkies  I think there is certainly a multi-fold answer in that many want a lot less competition and would like to see a great deal fewer breeders out there. Others truly want to educate but sometimes come off a bit rude b/c their passion for the breed gets all tangled up the their posts. I think, too, a straight forward very dry response can come off rude as well... I'm certainly guilty of both at times... Well, and some folks are just not very nice.... but I degress... I've posted the following story before, and I think it may give the OP a healthy perspective on breeding and also explain why sometimes seasoned breeders can be a bit sharp....I know I've responded at times with this story in the back of my mind and could have been more diplomatic and gentle with my answers.... It isn't always rainbows and butterflies, but for some its the best thing they've ever done. Learning, reading, researching are all key to breeding; but, nothing can replace experience.
Every breeder on this board started somewhere….You certainly have the right to explore this endevor... Let me tell you the story of our humble beginning as something to consider. I had an excellent mentor full of knowledge and experience (how lucky was I?)…. My second litter was due…. Talk about a textbook pregnancy…. 42nd day ultrasound showed 6 very well proportioned, small puppies…. Delivery started…..no distress….easy labor on the first puppy… then nothing….and nothing… I was prepared…. I had read all of the books…. Not to fear, middle of the day, no emergency call…. We headed to the vet just to be sure (12 miles)….she died in my hands as I walked through the office door…. I called my mentor she offered me lots of advice, understood my grief and said, “you’ll know in a few weeks if this is really for you.” …. She said that because I had 6 very tiny puppies (5 saved through c/s) that needed to be nursed every two hours for weeks….I buried my Gizmo where our new kennel stands today and got started with her babies…..I would hardly close my eyes b/f it was time to feed again….two weeks into it, one just didn’t thrive….now I was at wit’s end….three days later one aspirated on the feeding tube….I was done, called my mentor and told her to come get them all… she said, “no, this was your choice and it is your responsibility”…. 20 or so weeks later of round the clock care, One by one, these tiny replicas of their mom, of whom I had become a surrogate mother, were picked up by new owners. To this day, I still grieve for my Gizmo, to this day I still check up on every puppy I sell… I’ve shoveled truck loads of poop, dried gallons of pee, built kennels, torn down kennels, delivered puppies at 2:00 am on every holiday celebrated by man (even my kids birthday parties which I had to miss)….Breeding is a complete sacrifice of everything else when the moment counts b/c your female is counting on you for everything….If you bring puppies into this world they are your responsibility and yours alone. What I learned that winter about myself has carried me through a great deal of difficult days.... Since those early days, we've certainly had lots more good than bad. If you have the ability to deal with the difficulties with the same passion as you delight in the rewards, this could be the blooming of a wonderful new endevor…one that I love more with every pooper scooper full…. |
In full disclosure...I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in breeding. In fact, the one year I taught a primary grade, I gagged every time a child pulled a tooth and proudly stuck it in my face so I could join in their celebration and their excited anticipation of the tooth fairy.
I don't even remember now why I wandered into this thread but the concept about not doing a first breeding at 4 years caught my interest.
I do want to tell you though that your description of your first experience as a breeder is profoundly touching. In fact, I wish there was a section where a post like that could be saved for easier access such as when a sticky is attached (for lack of a better description). Perhaps a "hall of fame" for great posts, if you will.
The story of your experience gives the most heartfelt and detailed explanation of why one should approach the subject of becoming a breeder with full knowledge and acceptance of how difficult the job can become. You mentor should be very proud and your story would well serve those who need a more balanced view on breeding.
It is quite apparent to me that breeding Yorkies is a bit like teaching. From the outside looking in it doesn't appear to be that difficult especially when observing someone who knows what they are doing. However, from the inside looking out it is the most difficult job you'll ever love because if it is your passion, nothing could keep you from it...not even the scoops of poop as you so expressively state!
Kudos to you for a fantastic post about your experience!