Originally Posted by gemy  First welcome to YT. It is a good thing you are studying to be a vet tech, perhaps your schooling will also cover the basics of genetics, how to interpret and read research, pathological conditions affecting dogs, etc.
I'm not sure if you are young in years or not, but once you've read the thread that has been linked for you by a previous poster, I'd like you to consider all the areas you need to become knowledgeable on. It may take you many years to accumulate this knowledge. Along the way, you need to marry or unite book knowledge with experience.
Don't be in a rush.. You may live in a small town, but the internet will bring you much information, such as shows that may come near to your area. If you are serious, then you will need to make the time and money to go to shows, to learn, to meet people. Look for judgin seminars that you might attend, also genetic seminars, breeding seminars, etc. Some may even be via webcast.
One of the caveat's in the health care area is : To do no harm. Not a bad motto to apply to dog breeding. A better one and a much harder one is to leave the breed better than when you found it. Breeding is not for just anyone, and much better to save up your money and buy a dog for your family, then to rush into breeding
Your learning can start right away if you wish. Start to study how your dogs move. Watch them as they walk, run, play, jump. trot. Can you pick out the differences in each gait? The difference in each walk. How does your oldest dog move compared to the young one. Video tape them, slow it down, learn the vocab of movement. There are many good books and videos on this subject. Start to train your eye.
Good luck with your learning |