Starting Out
 

Ok gals. I have been reading all the "commotion" about some "newbies" that want to start to breed. There have been a lot of discussion and heated debate about what makes a good breeder and what doesn't. My question to you: Why did you buy your first dog? Was it because you loved him/her or was it just to use it for breeding? One point that really concerns me is how many dogs did you "professional" breeders go through before you got your perfect dog? Where did your dogs go if they weren't "good" enough? If you still haven't achieved that perfect dog, then how much different are you then someone who is really interested in starting out and wanting to use their pet if they have really checked out their lines and think that they may be good enough? They may not produce the exact standard but doesn't that take many years and maybe never? They may have been scared out of breeding by everyone telling them that they are not good enough, maybe not in so much words, but the insinuation is there. I know, there are enough dogs in shelters, but tell that to the puppymills. I'm not trying to start anything but I've been here quit a while and it just seems like whenever someone is asking for a little help, even though sometimes it may seem silly, remember it's someones passion and we have to remember to be a little patient..

im sorry, but do you mean newbies to the site or newbies to breeding?
The breeder section for this site is a great place to ask breeding questions (as we have many seasoned breeders here). . . you have to give the newbies (regardless of which kind you mean.....lol) credit though at least they took time to join the site to learn right?

I don't know if this question is for me to answer, but here it goes. I received Bell for my birthday. Is she a perfect standard? No, but I love her, she is my baby. I bred her and had three beautiful babies. Two went to wonderful homes and made those people very happy, I kept the girl, and now she makes me and Bell happy.

Will I breed again. Yes, most likely. A long as my girls are healthy and people want their babies, I will probably breed them.

Some people here can scare you into not breeding, but then again if you do your homework and ask the right people the right questions (PM them) and don't start a new thread saying something like "I want to breed, what should I do?" Maybe they would get decent answers without the grief!

When people ask silly things like that it would worries people because, they figure you don't know what your doing and if you end up having a small bitch or an unhealthy one, Big problem could arise. What people need to do on this site is either read and reply favorably or just read and ignore.. No one has a right to judge anyone else. :p

I think this is a good question. I feel the same way you do...that sometimes breeders try to scare others thinking of breeding off...they may not men to, but they were once new too and they are not the only ones who can learn the proper way to breed.

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]There are some valid questions raised here that are worth addressing. Let me see if I can answer in order. I bought my first dog because it was recommended to me by my mentor. I had spent a long time researching the breed and yes, I did love her, but would not have bought her if she was not suitable for the purpose of breeding to the standard. I did not 'go through' any dogs, there is no 'perfect' dog, you simply do your best to find one with the correct qualities and a minimum of faults that you can hopefully improve upon. Mine haven't gone anywhere. They are my pets. It is different in the fact that I checked out the lines before getting the dog and really evaluated the quality before breeding. Not by just thinking that my dog was good enough, but by comparisons with true quality yorkies, at shows, in books and from the opinions of people who have been involved with excellent yorkies for many years. Producing the standard should not take many years, but should be apparent in the first litter. If it is far off, then something's not right and should be re-evaluated before repeating that breeding.
I have no problem with anyone asking silly questions, the more questions the better. I am more than willing to help anyone interested in getting started as this is a very rewarding hobby and yes, everyone had to begin somewhere. I am currently mentoring a person who has shown dedication and desire to learn all she can and do the best job possible to produce wonderful pups. I do get frustrated when people ask the questions and then get upset when they don't get the answer they wanted to hear. If you want me to tell you that I think it's a good idea to breed your pet because you think it's cute even though it's (let's be nice and say) pet quality...I won't. I think the motivation to do this needs to stem from a true desire to do it as well as you possibly can, not just breeding the dogs you have at hand because you can. It should be about perpetuating a wonderful breed and done with great respect for the founders of the breed who dedicated their life's work to establish an admirable standard.

Now that's what I wanted to hear! Thanks for the great answer. I've always wanted to know if breeders just went out and bought strictly to breed or if they loved their dog first and then wanted to further the line, if it was good. I always had this conception of some breeders just going out to buy dogs, good ones, and not loving them, just using them to breed and keep in kennels. Even though their lines may have champions I think that they should be treated with the closeness that all babies need. When they don't, it makes me think they are just being used, and no one, not even animals should be treated like that, IMHO. I have seen major name kennels that I wouldn't buy a dog from because I don't like the way they are raised. I like the small breeders a lot better, and you still could find good lines that way...

I don't know if it was a great answer Theresa, but you're welcome. I have to agree that problems go both ways. I too know of big show breeders that view the dogs as commodities and are in it for the purpose of their own egos and I think that is just as bad as the bybs who breed for any number of poorly considered reasons.

i have yet to have or produce a "perfect dog"...i may never. i have some that have traits i do want to pass on and some that i would like to improve on some traits. i will probably never have a perfect dog...i dont believe there is such a thing... when i began breeding i did check the lines of the dogs i obtained. thoroughly. my mentor had established 4 nice lines when i met her and she's in her 60's now. i met her 11 yrs ago. and i obtained 3 nice dogs from her to start out with. i did my research. i was young and hungry. and now i feel i have my own knowledge. we must all be patient...you are so right!! but as long as we're all doing the best we can, that should be all that matters. thanks for this thread. to answer your first question: i bought my first "breed quality" because i loved her "type". i already had one yorkie that i didnt intend to breed (she was my first and caused me to be bitten by the yorkie bug) but had in back of my mind that i was hoping (wanting) to become a breeder someday.the first dog i obtained for hopeful breeding, well she was a beauty with a true silk coat, wonderful temperament, great stucture, (not perfect, but nice) and she had alot that i wanted to hopefully see in my own pups someday.... she is long retired and living a comfy life. my very first stud was a total disaster. after 2 litters i retired him. he lives a leisure life to this day at age 11 1/2 with a dear friend of mine. i placed him at an early age so it wouldnt be such a stress on him. i now keep all of my yorkies for their entire lives. (tough subject and i've already been on that thread and learned alot) standard is hard to get. it does take years. and i also have aquired a liking for a certain trait/look. thats just me and my pref. my hat goes off to any "newbie" wanting to get into the dog world. its a challenging, yet rewarding field.

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there's one in my area, showing papillions, and doing really good at the shows i might add, but the dogs are suffering at her home... :mad:

I feel the same way.

OK this is directed at me......but I was just wondering, and I have never done this kind of thing. And while I was planning on doing my own research as well, apparently I WAS DOING MY RESEARCH. I stated that my dog is 10 weeks, and that should give me plenty of time to research what I need to and find out all I need to to make an educated decision.....

I AM SO GLAD THAT I COULD ENTERTAIN YOU ALL WITH MY THREAD THAT IS GETTING ALL THE HYPE TONIGHT!


First impressions are everything......

Don't be upset ;) Whenever I get ticked I just remind myself that this is only a message board and I am in control of my own life. :animal36

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I missed the earlier "commotion," but this thread has been very helpful to me. Thanks, all of you, for posting.

I am feeling confused about where this was directed at anybody in particular at all. I must be missing something. If you viewed anything I said as an attack, I apologize and if I can help you with research, I would be glad to. Feel free to pm or e-mail me at any time.

No, no, no! I'm the one that started this tread and it was not meant for anyone in particular! There were just so many different views out there, my own also, that I wanted to find out how different seasoned breeders had started out. There was not any intention to aim this at anyone, just wanted to hear different stories...