How many is too many????

[luckylady]

I just came from this thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=123614

which brought this question to mind....

The breeder she was speaking to had an awful lot of dogs (of different breeds). As I read it, I had to agree it popped up some red flags for me too. She had alot of dogs, different breeds, kept in a building, etc., etc. Now I'm not saying she is or isn't a reputable breeder, but it got me thinking....
How many breeding dogs is too many for a good reputable breeder? I might not be putting the question quite right. I'm just wondering what YTr's opinions are of "how many is to many?"
I guess in my opinion, if the dogs have to be kept in another building, in kennels, or away from the family (as in not part of the family), then that's too many.
Any other thoughts??? Are there exceptions?

[MindieRose]

The way I *kind of* see it, is the same way I look at having an outdoor dog. If you have *some* dogs (not 50 or something!) that you do keep in a (sheltered) kenneled area, and they get daily attention, affection, exercise, they are well cared for, then I dont see a problem with it. Some people keep their dogs confined to one area of the house, and I see this as no different if you properly care for your kenneled dogs. BUT, I would only think its ok if they also had proper space to run and all of that. Not small cages or anything. Some dogs though, like yorkies and other *lap type* breeds, I dont think I would be so ok with it.
I think if someone has a separate kenneled area for dogs that they are breeding, they have some pretty high standards they should hold to.

[blitz]

Originally Posted by MindieRose

The way I *kind of* see it, is the same way I look at having an outdoor dog. If you have *some* dogs (not 50 or something!) that you do keep in a (sheltered) kenneled area, and they get daily attention, affection, exercise, they are well cared for, then I dont see a problem with it. Some people keep their dogs confined to one area of the house, and I see this as no different if you properly care for your kenneled dogs. BUT, I would only think its ok if they also had proper space to run and all of that. Not small cages or anything. Some dogs though, like yorkies and other *lap type* breeds, I dont think I would be so ok with it.
I think if someone has a separate kenneled area for dogs that they are breeding, they have some pretty high standards they should hold to.

I won't have a dog live its entire life this way. After they have done their job, achieved their championship and have given their progeny, they are no longer crated. Sometimes I find a loving home for them to live out the rest of their lives as pampered pets. This is just my philosophy and how I do things. I could never have a dog living in a crate for years and years, even though I will keep show dogs in pens with hygenic floors. That doesn't mean they stay in there 24/7 but they don't romp in the grass either. Show dogs have to live somewhat more structured lives than other dogs whose coats are not such a big consideration but not for their whole lives. I also feel breeding dogs need to be properly socialized and taught manners and know how to live in a house and will absolutely place them in loving homes. This has worked out great for me and my dogs so that I don't become overwhelmed and have too many dogs to PROPERLY care for.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by luckylady

I just came from this thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=123614

which brought this question to mind....

The breeder she was speaking to had an awful lot of dogs (of different breeds). As I read it, I had to agree it popped up some red flags for me too. She had alot of dogs, different breeds, kept in a building, etc., etc. Now I'm not saying she is or isn't a reputable breeder, but it got me thinking....
How many breeding dogs is too many for a good reputable breeder? I might not be putting the question quite right. I'm just wondering what YTr's opinions are of "how many is to many?"
I guess in my opinion, if the dogs have to be kept in another building, in kennels, or away from the family (as in not part of the family), then that's too many.
Any other thoughts??? Are there exceptions?

I agree with you. When it gets to the point that my dogs cannot be members of my household but have to be in a kennel or other outside building, I will quit. Some see nothing wrong with it as long as the building is heated or cool but sorry, folks, I do. yes, mine are confined to one area of my house, but guess what, I am in the area with them almost all day long unless they go outdoors to run and play. Then, I am outside with them. They never leave my sight outside. When i come in, they come in. I think when you have more dogs than you can give one on one attention to every day and actually, several times a day, you have too many.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by luckylady

I just came from this thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=123614

which brought this question to mind....

The breeder she was speaking to had an awful lot of dogs (of different breeds). As I read it, I had to agree it popped up some red flags for me too. She had alot of dogs, different breeds, kept in a building, etc., etc. Now I'm not saying she is or isn't a reputable breeder, but it got me thinking....
How many breeding dogs is too many for a good reputable breeder? I might not be putting the question quite right. I'm just wondering what YTr's opinions are of "how many is to many?"
I guess in my opinion, if the dogs have to be kept in another building, in kennels, or away from the family (as in not part of the family), then that's too many.
Any other thoughts??? Are there exceptions?

Right now we just have 1 Yorkie that will be bred in the Spring of 2009. We had 10 Yorkies at one time (Most we ever had at 1 time), we had our Mommy, Daddy, 1 from our previous litter, Sage and 6 puppies from our last litter. All 10 are Yorkies. I myself couldn't hardly keep up with the demand that Yorkies require, we went down to 8 this was still to me a lot to keep up with, now we're down to 5. This is a number for me that I feel I can care for proper and meet their needs. Now when we have puppies that will add to the number and it does become harder and U have to have the will to do it and be 100% committed day and night.

We do not show any Yorkies, this too would add to it. I think if I showed I may have to go down on my # of Yorkies??? I don't know for I do know the show coats take a lot more work then our coats and once again I'd have to ask myself if I could keep up with it all. I won't take on more Yorkies then I feel I can't care for proper.


As far as different breeds, I will not take on another breed to raise or even breed. Yorkies is it for our home, no others pets just Yorkies. I don't know enough about other breeds to be trying to breed them and Yorkies too, for me it's a full time job just to learn about Yorkies and breed them right and care for them proper.


We have ours in our Yorkie/Office room which is built right on to our bedroom, there is a door to close them off but I keep it open with a gate in it. I hear every move they make at night, the only reason our boys are in our living room in playpens is due to Sage being in heat and our other girls could come into heat at any point and time. My boys get out everyday with belly bands on and play. My girls are in the Yorkie room and get out of their crates all the time. Sage is free to stay day and night in our Yorkie room once she is done spotting. Once our 2 puppies get done with their chewing stage then they too will roam free in their room and be able to come into the rest of the house. (Being that all heat cycles are done, I don't let my boys around any of our girls even if just one is in heat, I don't want to tease them as I call it, keep them much calmer and not marking as much.)

I would not have a kennel on the outside of my house due to I feel to much could happen to them and I would not know it. For me I want mine in our home. This is just my opo tho.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

I agree with you. When it gets to the point that my dogs cannot be members of my household but have to be in a kennel or other outside building, I will quit. Some see nothing wrong with it as long as the building is heated or cool but sorry, folks, I do. yes, mine are confined to one area of my house, but guess what, I am in the area with them almost all day long unless they go outdoors to run and play. Then, I am outside with them. They never leave my sight outside. When i come in, they come in. I think when you have more dogs than you can give one on one attention to every day and actually, several times a day, you have too many.

Sugars mom (sorry, I know I have seen your name many times, just evades me right now) - I am wondering how many you have if you don't mind sharing. Just curious/no judgement.

[EmrldShdwQueen]

I don't have a particular number...but I agree with everyone else...I could never keep them in an outside kennel, so the day that I feel like it's too much in my house, I'll know my limit.

[cesar49]

these people are little puppy mills, ans are not concerned about the dog's life.. only money

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

I agree with you. When it gets to the point that my dogs cannot be members of my household but have to be in a kennel or other outside building, I will quit. Some see nothing wrong with it as long as the building is heated or cool but sorry, folks, I do. yes, mine are confined to one area of my house, but guess what, I am in the area with them almost all day long unless they go outdoors to run and play. Then, I am outside with them. They never leave my sight outside. When i come in, they come in. I think when you have more dogs than you can give one on one attention to every day and actually, several times a day, you have too many.

[NanaDtreasures]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

I agree with you. When it gets to the point that my dogs cannot be members of my household but have to be in a kennel or other outside building, I will quit. Some see nothing wrong with it as long as the building is heated or cool but sorry, folks, I do. yes, mine are confined to one area of my house, but guess what, I am in the area with them almost all day long unless they go outdoors to run and play. Then, I am outside with them. They never leave my sight outside. When i come in, they come in. I think when you have more dogs than you can give one on one attention to every day and actually, several times a day, you have too many.

I feel the same way as you.
When puppies I have a gate that blocks them in my living room.
I dont use crates I know lots do...just not my thing.
I do have an xpen for little ones in living room during puppy time.
But once trained the dogs have the run of my house.
Its a lot of work. But love them all. I have 7 inside with my 2 new babies.Thats enough!
They get lots of attention from my husband and me...kids and grandkids.

[MyFairLacy]

There is no way I could just give a numerical answer to this question. It's not a black and white issue. A lot of it depends on the individual breeder and what they can handle.

[luckylady]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

There is no way I could just give a numerical answer to this question. It's not a black and white issue. A lot of it depends on the individual breeder and what they can handle.

I didn't really think there would be a set & definite answer....it just got me wondering as to maybe the average amount of dogs a reputable breeder could handle and still give the love and attention to them that they need and deserve. I guess that statement really answers the question for myself. If a breeder can't love their dogs enough to treat them as part of the family, then they are not the breeder for me. So far, it sounds like most that have posted here agree.

[peanut]

Rose I agree with you, I don't use crates, I have a "nursery" that the puppies and Lexie stay in that is gated and she can get out of, the rest of the crew have full run of my house, when it gets to the point where I have to use crates and leave them in there thats when I stop and find homes for them all. I think its so sad for dogs to be in crates most of there life or chained. thats jmo.

[yorkiekist]

Too many is when it becomes a burden and the animals are not cared for correctly anymore.

[BubblPopElectrc]

When your house smells like a pet shop and/or a dirty hamster cage.

[katelin]

This is a timely discussion for me as I spent several hours today bathing and grooming all of our yorkies. We have three grown females and one grown male -- two of these have 3/4 's of a full coat, one is pregnant and one is nursing. We have our four little boy puppies -- 6 weeks old now and running everywhere, they had their first baths today.

All dogs live in our family room/kitchen with us, and sleep in crates in our bedroom at night. The puppies are kept in a playpen in our bedroom at night and in a playpen in the kitchen when I have to be away during the day. Otherwise they run in the kitchen with an x-pen fence to keep them off the family room carpet.

There is going to be some overlap between the litter we have now and our next litter (due in 2 weeks). We know we have at least 4 puppies in the next litter (sonogram). Fortunately after the first few days, newborns are pretty easy to care for (assuming no problems).

I have reached my limit.