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Originally Posted by TexasKat08  This is a really interesting thread. It raises one question in particular for me. What is the exhibitor's/breeder's motive for mentoring? I would imagine there are more "novices" out there wanting to show that there are show people willing to share their knowledge, although I could be completely wrong about that. Plus, I imagine mentoring takes a bit of time and energy so it is quite a commitment. When I saw the original post I thought asking for a mentor was odd, but now that I think about it, how would you go about finding one? |
You can apply for one on the AKC site. I do understand actually ending up with a puppy that is show-quality is a long "maybe". There are also Obedience & Agility shows that could be just as fun in my book.
It's something I have always wanted to do, if it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. I cannot obviously afford to keep buying puppies until one does, I don't think any-one could. Not to mention, I would probably have to sell my house & buy a much bigger one to have the room...lol.
As far as breeding my "own" line, I don't think I would be able to do that for the same reason above. There was another link posted somewhere here on YT about judging for conformity shows, & it stated that their toes can be spread, pads cracked, etc. from the owner/handler keeping them in kennels to "protect" their hair. The link was an article from the judges' viewpoint on how to judge yorkies. I don't like kennels, so this would be a problem for me.
I have a single ranch with a huge fenced-in yard. My household expenses for the first time in my life, are minimal. My only expenses for the past few years are pretty much vetting/grooming. I was in restaurant management for 30 yrs, and now only work about 34 hours a week, with a very flexible schedule. I do have the time to start crossing off my "bucket list" items, of which dog-shows are one, and I do need something to get me out of the house besides work. My family is 4 hours away, so I find myself not doing much these days except spending time with my dogs.
As far as breeding...my step-father bred bassets & beagles, my mother bred toy poodles & pekes. My hubby bred dachshunds. I'm no stranger to breeding, I grew up with it, but this is not what I wish to do.
I know it's hard to get into the show without breeding your own, but I want to try. lol, that's probably one of the reasons I want to, as I've always been one to make things harder than they need to be...or so I'm told:P I also think obedience & agility would be great to get into too....so if my pup turns out to not be "show-worthy", I still have other options open to me. My current yorkies are CKC registered, so those avenues are closed.
The odds that any pup I purchase will go all the way? Very slim I know...but what fun we will have trying!