[Yorkiemom1]

Hello Kevin....I am thinking you would have more luck finding a mentor at dog shows...Breeders really like to know the people they are mentoring personally, so they can judge first hand for themselves, what type of ethics and accountability and knowledge base and devotion to "doing right by the breed". Usually, it takes quite a while for someone wanting to start a breeding program, to build up the confidence needed for an established breeder to share knowledge that has taken them many years, a ton of work and continuing education siminars, as well as a ton of money to acquire. They want to be absolutely certain that your motivation for getting into breeding is not for financial gain, (which you will not find there!) but rather to continue and contribute to the breed standard. This takes a lot of dedication and work on your part, before you can expect to get anything from established breeders. There are too many people that want to breed dogs that have absolutely no idea of what has come before them, what breeders have done to establish these gorgeous lines and fabulous pedigrees that are strong and carry the image of the line down through the years. They see a path to quick money in this, and nothing could be further from the truth....for serious, devoted breeders, show breeders.....BYB'rs and puppy mill breeders can make money because they spend nothing on the development of their dogs or the health of their dogs...they mass produce sick puppies and then dump them on the public any way they can and it does not concern them in the least!