Mentors needed!!!
 

Hello Everyone,

I am the proud mommy of GiGi and Pierre who have both just turned 1 this year. Gigi is currently in her second heat, day 4 to be exact.
I have searched as much as I could for reputable breeders here in Atlanta, GA and they are rare.
After much consideration & preparation my husband and I have decided to take breeding seriously and by the book. This will be a first time experience for all parties involved (hubby & I and the dogs...)so we've begun to read everything we can get our hands on.

I have taken it a little farther by taking an internship with my uncle who is the head of veterinary medicine at one of the universities here to learn all I can and get the hands on experience. (I'M SERIOUS GUYS :))

I am coming to you all with a request for a mentor or mentor's. Life is different when you're living in the moment and now my babies are able to have babies.

I'd like someone with experience in our wonderful breed to guide me and be there just for a kind word of expertise.

I look forward to all responses and guidence.

Blessings to all...

Mrs. Mimi B.

I am in North Georgia. You are right though there are not a lot of reputable breeders here in Georgia. First of all - have you had both of your yorkies completly checked out - legs/knees, heart, etc...?? I would also have a full blood panel down to check their chem. levels too. Then do you know their pedigrees - it is all about genetics! Do you know what thier ancestors are in their background?? Do you know what they might contribute to their pups? Do you know our standard and how do your yorkies measure up to it? I would also have someone that is an expert in yorkies/standard evaluate your yorkies to see how they measure up and whether or not they should be bred. You need to see how they move - how is their gait and topline as they move around. How is their coat color and texture? Once you have determined that they are worthy and only if they are - you need to read up on breeding. One good book is The Joy of Breeding Your own Show Dogs by Ann Seranne. Also join an all breed AKC club. There you will can also learn and maybe watch some members dogs have live births. Learn about (yorkies) pedigrees and lines so you might have a guess as to what the match will produce. The future of our breed is in every breeders hands and cannot be taken lightly. I am so glad that you are serious about this and want to do all things by the book. What I have mentioned above is what any breeder needs to do first. The book is just a big help and also gets into genetics a bit as well. Sounds like your girl is almost ready, but I would wait to breed if the above has not been done. There is always the next heat and you do not want to produce pups that are not of good quality. Learn all you can first, then you do the breeding.
T.