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Originally Posted by BorderKelpie  The kennels were seperate from the house, but they were indoor/outdoor types. Concrete floors with bedding and even landscaped a bit. Very attractive. She let me tour her grooming/whelping area and I was envious. Again, organized, spotless and surprisingly clean and pleasant. AC/heat, lights, etc. Pretty much everything I've always wanted for my working dogs. lol ('cuz, yes, I still groom and blow dry my working dogs. I, and they seem to, like it).
She shows them (the poodles and the Biewers in IABCA (I think that's how it's spelled).
If I got a show dog someday, would I not be able to spoil him/her? I prefer dogs to be pets first. If they win that's a neat bonus, but I want them to be dogs first. I know I wouldn't be able to let it go out back and 'critter.' (I have a small bit of land with chickens, a horse and a pet pig - so we get the occasional varmit and the little dogs LOVE to chase, catch, kill rats and I allow it. One of the reasons I wanted Yorkies in the first place, although, my poodles are rat hunter extradinaires.  I am actually considering entering them in Barn Hunts and thought the Yorkies would LOVE that, too. I guess hunting will need to happen after the show 'career' so to protect that coat.
Anyway, I realize that my goal of a showdog is in the future, but I want to enter in with all the facts, so I do it right. I may not be 'showdog' owner material since I do enjoy working, playing and getting dirty with the dogs. Life is for living after all. And, after a good long day of all that, passing out in a dog pile in bed is the perfect ending to a perfect dog day. |
The breeders I've talked to say that a good breeder never sells a breeding dog without mentoring the person. First, they have to show the dog and if all goes well, they can breed. In order to show a dog, it has to be trained to listen to ever word you speak, it has to obey every command, all time spent with the dog is spent with meaningful activities such as training and grooming. It's a different relationship than a pet owner has. Also, it's downright dangerous if you are breeding your pet dog who sleeps in your bed, she can give birth during the night in your bed. There are a million other things, but bottom line is most breeders won't even mentor you, if your not going to follow these rules and apparently, this is hard for many to pass. After a show dog is finished showing you can relax some of the rules, but depending on what other dogs you have, you'll still have to keep her away from any males.
You sound like a great owner though, and I'm sure some mentor will be able to see the heart of you and most say that's what really matters. You might want to tie up that Yorkie hair before you lie in a pile of dog bed, coat it everything! Since you might someday show, I let the breeder know I'm interested in that and see if you can build a relationship with her. Best of luck.