The Great Debate..."Breeder" or "Backyard Breeder"

[Marc]

First off...I do NOT want this thread to turn ugly, lol. I am posting this for debate and learning on both sides. I am not what you guys call a "breeder" nor am I what you guys call a "backyard breeder" at this time. I am a new owner of a female Yorkie and we may breed her at some point. For the purpose of learning and debate....I am going to assume and post as it would be that I am going to breed her.

I invite all "breeders" and "backyard breeders" and pet owners to post. Please, no need to get heated in here. Ha.

Ok, after reading some of the posts in the breeder section here I am a little confused about what is going on. The term "wanted and unwanted" pups is used alot when someone comes in here who wants to breed their "pet" Yorkie. I am curious...what makes your pups as a breeder wanted and my Yorkies pups unwanted? If I breed mine to another Yorkie then why would yours be more desired than mine?

Also, if I am a new owner and am interested in breeding her at some point...do my research and feel confident that I can do it...what makes that any different than you when you first started breeding?

Also, there is much talk from the "breeders" about unwanted pups from people who post as new owners and advice for them to go rescue one from the Humane Society or Sheter. Aren't you as "breeders" also contributing to the dog population? The same could be said of you....spay and neuter your Yorkies and go volunteer as a person who takes in placed females with their pups till they find homes for them. No? It seems that when you tell a newbie to go get one from the shelter to help with the overpopulation of dogs...and then you are breeding numerous litters a year....a bit odd, no?

And....after reading a few threads that "newbies" started for help...I see that the risks of breeding this breed and the potential costs come up. But if that pet owner did their research and are in full knowledge of the risks and cost....why does that still get the "breeders" goat? Everytime a "breeder" breeds her female she is at the very same risks and costs as the "newbie". Your female and her female are no different. What happens will happen to either.

Well, let's start there. Again, I am NOT in anyway heated...just looking to learn and debate this topic.

[NanaDtreasures]

You didnt...even want to go there.
:::: sniff sniff ::::
Good luck with your thread
And I dont think I ever "seen" you before.
So welcome to YorkieTalk

[yorkiekist]

Sounds like its already a heated discussion!!LOL Sorry in advance for any tpos as I just got stung by a scorpion on my right hand and it is numb and hurtslike an sob. I think that there is a correct way to do breeding practices and a wrong way. Most people start out with out a mentor and no direction. some onky think about the $$$ they can make and do make by cutting corners and startng out with sub=standard specimens of the breed. Alot of people breed sub-standard yorkies that are family pets to re-claim the $$ they spent on her and to let the kids see the miricle of life(or death as it all to often turns out).I see no harm in breeding if it is done right. That means you need to get all the hadlth screening done before even dreaming about breeding. Same with the stud that will be used. I think that any dog bred should only be a good specimen of the breed as described by the YTCA standard. Have a great mentor, preferrable a person who shows their dogs. Thsi mentor can evaluate your breeding prospect. If everything checks out , then great, breed your girl. I also believe that all pups shouds be sold on spay/neuter/limited registration as you dont want any of those babies to end up in mills. And now with all of the alternative registries that will register anything that has 4 legs as a breed, its better to have the pups spayed and neutered first before selling them. There is alos a right and wrong way to threat and house these dogs. Byb's usually dont care enough about them except to only give them the basics as long as they make a profit. Hobby breeders and exhibitors usuallytake much better care of the dogs as this is there passion, it is not a money making endeavor.

Well got to goas my hand it very painful.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by NanaDtreasures

You didnt...even want to go there.
:::: sniff sniff ::::
Good luck with your thread
And I dont think I ever "seen" you before.
So welcome to YorkieTalk

What? You are making me nervous, lol. I am honestly just wanting to talk about this in a civil way. Yikers...am I gonna get hit hard or something?

[KYBLUE]

no comment

[Marc]

YorkieKist....thanks for the post. (I am still alive, lol)

Ok, let's talk a bit about the money part of it. How much do you figure it cost per pup. You dock, feed, vet fees, vacs...etc. How much do you figure you spend on one pup till it reaches it's new home?

[Marc]

Originally Posted by KYBLUE

no comment

Honestly...don't feel like you can't comment. I am playing the "devil's advocate" here to learn and debate. No problems on my end. Comment away, please!

[bchgirl]

Hoo boy....good luck with this topic not getting heated.

Since you included we pet owners...I'll throw my 2¢ in.

I believe the issues come into play when someone is wanting to breed a dog over standard or wants their dog to "experience" parenthood. Those two will raise objections.

Personally I don't think anyone should be breeding...designer breeds...and I use that term lightly. The shelters are loaded with "designer breeds"...

[Marc]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Hoo boy....good luck with this topic not getting heated.

Since you included we pet owners...I'll throw my 2¢ in.

I believe the issues come into play when someone is wanting to breed a dog over standard or wants their dog to "experience" parenthood. Those two will raise objections.

Personally I don't think anyone should be breeding...designer breeds...and I use that term lightly. The shelters are loaded with "designer breeds"...

The "standard" comment is certainly fair. Is it bad to want the "experience" if one had homes lined up? Just a question.

[KYBLUE]

ok that depends on each litter if you liver profile or not have puppies vet checked tail's docked dew claw's shot's a quality food puppy pad's milk supplement if needed benbac subque fluids if needed i can go on and on i usually have mine vet checked at least twice and liver profling is about 65 per puppy i have at least 600 to 800 in a litter before they ever leave my home not including a c-section if it is required

[Ellie May]

I am not a breeder but I am a Yorkie owner.

There are certain things I look for in a "breeder".
The way I look at it is this.
There are good breeders and there are not good breeders (mills, backyard...).
"Breeders" are the ones who will do health screening on their dogs, sell them at the right time, not breed more than two or three kinds of dogs, have sanitary living conditions for the animals (and I prefer this is in the breeder's house, not a kennel), provide at least a one year health guarantee, reserve the right of first refusal if the pup needs to be rehomed... The part that does get fuzzy with even good breeders is how much testing should be done. I prefer that the pup is more expensive and more tests are run on the parents then selling a cheap Yorkie who has a bigger chance of being diseased.

As long as you are doing your research and planning to health screen and put the money into it AND your dogs are standard with healthy lines, I don't think there is any reason someone should tell you not to breed. After all, if you reserve the right of first refusal your pups will never contribute to the number of homeless pets. They will always have a home with you if they need one.

Puppy mills and backyard breeders are the opposite of what I'd call a breeder.
The dogs live in unsanitary conditions.
They aren't health screened.
The pups are sold way too young.
You can take the pup to the pound if you get tired of it.
They don't care about bettering the breed.

That is my two cents.

[Ladyhawk]

What I don't understand is why anyone would want to breed their pet? If you purchase a pet quality yorkie it is (I assume) for companionship. Why would you put your companion at risk when they are not capable of producing the kind of quality puppy that would make it worth the risk? When I decided to go beyond being a pet owner and become a breeder I started a year of intensive research. After attending shows and studying conformation I decided on my type and got an imagine in my mind of what I wanted to produce. From there I looked at different kennels until I found one that I liked and I purchased a dog for breeding and for showing. That person became my breeder and first mentor. Since then I have purchased brood bitches with associations to that line that would be a good match for Connor. The dogs are health screened, I know their line, and I have a goal in mind. I not only study to learn to develop an eye but lean on the knowledge of judges and experienced breeders/exhibitors. I do not believe in breeding pet quality dogs and bitches or breeding blindly, too much heartache has come as a result of that route. My dogs have become my pets but I am not a pet owner, I am a breeder/exhibitor. I breed for quality, health, and temperment and not for the fun of it or for money.

[KYBLUE]

After all, if you reserve the right of first refusal your pups will never contribute to the number of homeless pets. They will always have a home with you if they need one.

[Sugar's Mom]

Instead of opening this thread and opening up old wounds, why don't you use the search feature? There is a lot of very valuable info there and several other threads about this.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by Marc

The "standard" comment is certainly fair. Is it bad to want the "experience" if one had homes lined up? Just a question.

Who wants the experience...you or your female? Dogs aren't like people...they don't pine for puppies.

If you mean yourself...I will say to do it correctly (and others have posted how it should be done)...it can be expensive just for the experience. Expensive and heartbreaking if something should happen to your female.