Originally Posted by gemy  I like to keep an open mind about a lot of things, and in particular my passions. I've read this thread with a whole lot of interest, mainly by posters who don't breed. And that is fine and good. I like to hear what other's think about things. The why's and the where for's of what they believe to be right.
For me and my personal abilities, the maximum of large dogs, I would be prepared to "fully" care for would be three. And of course one Yorkie!. Even with three, it would mean for me full retirement, as right now I work basically part- time. It is not they are either retired or current show dogs. It is I like to keep my dogs in as close to show condition as possible. My breeds require a whole lot of grooming. Then there is the exercise, and training. To keep my breeds in top condition requires daily exercising of at least one hour, coupled with a few times a day treat/skill training. I do one on one exercise and training, so that is four hours per day + grooming. Crate and rotate is very necessary with breeding females, so for about 6wks once, sometimes twice a year; it can get a little busy.
I also believe it or not have to crate, when I have one in the grooming room. Sigh, my fault, as they all know that grooming=treats; and even though They are Not the ones on the table; they want to stick around for a potential treat :-)
If I were to have more than four dogs, I would need a "helper" on a daily basis. Means that I would have to pay that helper. Then of course the additional vet and training bills, not to mention food, which is a Huge Expense in large breeds. I spend over $300 a month to feed our big ones. I've never looked at breeding as a way to "make" money, but as a sincere desire, to breed fine, beautiful, working great temperament, healthy dogs. Hopefully to improve the breed somewhat. If I got in over my head financially, then maybe a pressure would be on to actually "make money". Gawd I hope one day break even.
Interesting to look at, how many dogs could be safely housed in a home environment. Of course some of it will have to do with square footage. I have a breeder friend who has a very large home in the country. All her dogs, eight of them, live in the house. She has one floor she houses the females and one stud dog in, one floor for the immature males, and one floor that her Mom and the other stud dog live on. One stud dog goes to the floor with the immature males, when the females are in heat. That is the other thing that happens, kind of like woman who live together, they all tend to cycle in at the same time. Now she has help with her adult children et al.
Each breeder will have different abilities and skills, and of course some can care for more dogs than say I could.
It is what is so difficult with legislating on the breeder end of things. So many variables, with all the different breeds, and breeders.
But I do muse what would happen if one day, all puppy mills were put out of business, no dog sales allowed in pet stores, and no USDA licensed breeders. Would this truly curb a pet over population problem? It would seem like it would have to. But then where do folks go to find a puppy? The small Backyard Breeder who flies under the radar? Those pet owners who insist on breeding their pet once or twice? Cause let me tell you show breeders in no way would be able to keep up or even want to keep up with the demand for pups!.
Just musing on a stinkey hot July 4th. |