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Originally Posted by SnowWa I have a lot of respect for those of you who are breeders and who work to maintain a wonderful respectable line of Yorkies. This is a lot of work, a lot of expense, and it takes years to do this well.
However - I read YT a lot - and there are a lot of other people (on this site) who breed their pets who aren't as careful about Yorkie standards. And, I am sure that many of these people aren't as knowledgeable about what they should be looking for in their own dog before they breed it. I know they love their pets and think they are wonderful and would love to see a million little duplicates of their wonderful little dogs --- but aren't a lot of people still breeding Yorkies (and other breeds) that shouldn't be bred?
To be more specific - I see very small dogs being bred - very large dogs being bred - Yorkies with short coats and nonstandard color coats being bred, etc. etc. etc.
The excuses I have seen for many of these breedings are: "My sister loves my dog, so I'm going to breed my dog so that she can have one of its pups." "I think it would be fun to have a litter of pups. It would be so educational for my children." "I just love my little Yorkie. I want her to have pups just like her." "My friend has a female and wants to borrow my male to breed."
If anyone ever writes the book about Yorkies that someone mentioned, we should have a chapter called "When is it appropriate to breed your Yorkie?"
I know that a lot of inappropriate breeding is going on - and often for the wrong reasons - and a lot of it is being done by our own members right here on YT.
Do you agree with my thinking that more than most breeds, it is especially important to be careful, knowledgeable, and experienced before you breed a little Yorkie. We certainly read about many heartbreaking results over and over again that should never have happened and could have been avoided.
Again - I have a great deal of respect for those of you who are familiar with the Yorkie breed standards, who breed good examples of this breed, and who
are experienced, knowledgeable, and know what you are doing.
Carol Jean |
I think Lorraine has covered my sentiments in her post. You are always going to have people who breed for money, or just becuase they can. My males are not at public stud for that very reason. I can stipulate in my contract that all pups must be spayed/neutered, but can I control it? No. Even if the breeder sells on spay/neuter contract, if the new buyer does not comply, there is nothing I can do. I don't ever want to see one of my dogs in rescue or a pet shop.
When an owner approaches me because they want to breed "so their children can witness birth", I do try to explain that their children can also witness death...of the puppies or their beloved yorkie. There are no guarantees that you will have a healthy litter, but the chances greatly improve with careful screening and research to choose the best sire for your bitch. I want to improve on her qualities and her faults, not make matters worse.
As far as small females, you are asking for trouble. Sure, there are small females who carry pups and do fine. Probably will not free whelp, but they carry a litter to term. Why do you think puppy mills keep large females? So they will have more pups and free whelp. Millers don't have time or even care to monitor a small female. Everytime I breed a bitch I put her life on the line. I can't guarantee something will not go wrong. I also tell that to pet owners who want to breed their female. Fortunately (and knock on wood), I have not lost a dam in whelp. But I know breeders who have. It is devastating to them. I'm anal when my bitches are due to whelp.
We will never be able to keep the back yard breeder from breeding Susie Q to Johnny Blue down the street if they really want to. At that point, I try to mentor to make sure the dam gets the proper nutrition and vet care, so that the pups have a chance to make a healthy entrance into the world. But I have no control on the genetic makeup of these puppies and if they will have a long and healthy life.
Just my thoughts.
Julie