Need advice from experienced breeders?
 

Hello I wanted advice from experienced breeders...
I have a 16 week old puppy that hopefully one day will be our first dog to breed. I take her to the vet on Wednesday, should I get a bile acid test? ( I think that's what it's called).

I really want to do this right and have as many basis covered as I can. My vet tec. suggested a blood panel when she's six months as well.

What do you think?

Anything thing else??

I would appreciate any advice!!

Thanks

I'm happy to see that you are researching all of this before you breed her.

Absolutely; although there is different trains of thought as to when it should be done. Some say 10 weeks, others say at 6 months of age. I have a bit of a problem fasting a pup at such a young age. Having a urine test would be the easiest on them at a young age, then proceeding from there if anything looks off.

A blood panel should be done now, it would be a first indication of any levels are off.

Definately have hips and knees x-rayed at a year of age.

Ok I'll get the blood panel done.

What does the urine test look for (sorry I'm not that well informed) I'm also a big time reader so if there is any reading material you can suggest I would check that out too!

I don't want to make her fast at this age, do you suggest waiting until six months? I didn't know the puppy needs to fast for the bile acid test???

Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement!!:p

The urine tests for Liver Shunt. Remember when testing for shunt, tests only reveal that your dog does not have shunt, it does not prove that your dog is not a carrier. There is no DNA Marker as yet for that. So, when you breed you're taking a chance.

Prior to breeding her you should have her tested for reproductive infections....usually as at the onset of her Heat Cycle....

There is so much reading material out there and so many diseases that can occur in certain lines......

Make sure that your girl comes from a good established pedigree and is a good representation of the standard.

Curious
 

Just curious, what urine test is for liver shunt?

My Tiki had pre-spay blood work with high bile acids and ALT, so followed with bile acid test, then ultrasound which didn't reveal liver shunt, and considered Protein C testing, but instead we treat her for possible MVD with special diet and supplements. Now a year later, the vet wonders if the high bile acids may have been because she was young (6 months), as it is more normal now. It has all been frustrating, and I never heard of a urine test for liver shunt.

P.S. I'm not a breeder, just curiously observing and learning.

I have researched for years about breeding, among talking with other well estableshed (show) breeders.

Mia is from Deb Sillers daughter of Bandit and Mandy. Deb helped me pick wich baby would be the very best future Mommy.

I hope to end up in the show ring sometime within the next five years. My desire is to breed healthy, intellegent, vivasious, loving, spucky, sweet Yorkies who come as close to the breed standard as possible.

I just love to hear others advice... through experience comes so much wisdom. I lack on experience but value wisdom!

Thank you!

You mean you're doing your research before you breed? Even more, that you started researching before you even selected your girl? What a novel concept! I wish more people would follow that logic. :rolleyes: Best of luck with your future endeavors in breeding...you certainly sounds like you are on the right track. :)

Deb Sillers is an excellent source of info and has top quality dogs.

LOL

Aw heck why not wait til she goes into labor. Add a little excitement.

Thanks for the encouragement! It really means a lot. And yes Deb is great!!! So is our Mia!

Anyway Thanks again!
:p

I am not expecting labour for like another two years LOL I like to be prepared!

For now I need info:p

Did you say your girl is 16 weeks of age. Most exhibtor breeders do not place their breeding dogs until 6 or 7 months of age. As they should have the qualities of a show dog.

Yuppers agreed!

As well as expecting them to be Championed.

I agree with Donna and Mary. And it would be co owned by the breeder who would be willing to mentor the newcomer or know someone in their area willing to do so.
At 16 weeks as far as keeping a puppy for future breeding stock the only thing I know at that age is that it might be a potential and it is a yorkie. So many things can change over time until close to a year old and at times, ever older.

Yup agreed :)

Yuppers agreed!

Brooklyn and Mardelin are correct. Deb is a nice lady and I have talked to her many times, she does have some great looking dogs, and I have talked to the lady of where she got her main stud dog from. I can honestly say that some of the best advice I have gotten has come from the long time show exhibitors that show and have many bred-by champions.

Now I started out as a breeder in it for the money! I bought two dogs, thought I could put them together, and boom make money. Now after I joined YT I have changed my mind. I'm no longer in it to make money. I'm wanting to better the breed and not send low quality dogs out there anymore. I have restarted my breeding/show program.

As I have done a lot of research on breeding, whelping, and genetics, I am still doing more. I'm researching yorkie lines to find the best to get my show prospects from. You have to know the faults of your dogs to pair them with the best canidate from the other sex (example: one has slightly larger ears than you want, you need to find a good match that has smaller ears that are the size you want) as with genetics its never a clear outcome until the pups are born whether or not they got those genes from one parent or the other. A good friend told me that it will take about $10,000(including the price of the dog) to champion the dog by myself. She suggested that I hire a handler to do the job for me, which of course adds more money to that pot. So I'm looking at spending $30,000 or more to champion 3 dogs (1 male, 1 female, and than another of either sex). But even then I won't be making any money back, as most of the female pups will be kept to champion and keep my line going. But like I said I'm no longer in it for the money, I'm in it for the dogs!

I wish you luck in your breeding and showing in the years to come. It will still be awhile till I put my foot into that ring, but I can't wait!

Actually it may be cheaper to put your dog with a well known handler, they split the cost with other clients and because of who they are and what they do they can finish a dog faster.

Some have started out breeding first. However, they have found out, over time that it is best to start out with the best your money can buy for your foundation. Champion them and then proceed to the breeding.

Wow Mary....I think I have finished all my dogs fast other than my first one LOL....my first home bred was finished pretty darn quickly LOL...and Radar finished in less than 4 months...and Morgan finished in less than 6 months but that was on a limited basis but could have finished faster had I entered in more shows instead of off and on LOL...

No, no Donna, you and I are experienced., So have I, I was speaking about a first timer.....I've finished all mine pretty fast too.

I know I know LOL....giving you a hard time LOL LOL you funny :)

Really, how many times have you and I seend a newbie come into the ring and take forever to finish a dog because they didn't know what they were doing. In the mean time imbedding into the poor dog bad habits because of that fact.

Yuppers you couldn't be more right on that one!!!

I remember my first time watching yorkies in the ring and their owners or handlers coming out of the ring sweating........I thought to myself, dang, what's so hard about taking a lil yorkie in the ring. After all it's not a working dog that you have to run around the ring with. Ha, ha, ha.....well the joke was on me.

I feel a bit ambushed, Here I am being totally honest and looking for some advice and two other members have come on and are having their own little chuckle at my expense.

You both are obviously experienced and have beautiful dogs and I was honestly seeking advice.

Yes I realise my little girl may not be a breeder when the time comes but she has potential and that is what Deb sold her as.

I am investing a lot of my time, energy, money, heart and soul into starting this program. It's people like Deb to help others start their dream. Most breeders won't even talk to me, won't even think about mentoring! Even in the CKC code of ethics it talks about mentorship!

I do have a mentor close by, she just won't have any females available for the next few years.

It feels like available I want advice I am scared to write because I'm worried someone will jump all over me. I shouldn't have to explain every little detail every time I write a thread.

I every time there are a lot of people breeding Yorkies for the wrong motives and it must anger those who have dedicated a lifetime to responsible breeding. But please don't assume everyone is like that.

For those of you that have spent years with Yorkies... Don't you want to encourage proper responsible breeding and showing? So many breeders make it so hard to talk to them that it's no wonder people BY breed. My biggest opposition has been people who put me down because I'm new to this even though I want to better the breed... I may have a lot to learn but my heart is in the right place and I want to be careful and thoughtful with my Yorkies.

:wrose:

By no means am I chuckling at you....it's not directed at you, actually I'm off topic and high jacked this thread please forgive....

Bile acid is a must to rule it out, no urine test will tell you. About her pedigree?

I don't feel you can know if a bitch is breed worthy so early. But you are on the right track. Kudus to you. :thumbup:
Livershunt is indeed a big killer in our breed. Start off w/ a healthy foundation bitch+healthy line. Here are some links w/ great info.

index

CHRONIC HEPATIC DISORDERS/HEPATIC VASCULAR DISORDERS/CONGENITAL PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT

Michigan Veterinary Specialists - Portosystemic Shunts

Maltese dogs Liver Shunt - Frequently Asked Questions

Liver Shunt

Liver Shunt Stories

Sorry, is chuckling or making fun of you. YTCA also encourages mentorship and help to newbies.