Until you're a breeder and walk in our shoes, all you have are opinions!

Experience is a far more valuable resource than one who merely studies a topic. Voracious reading on a topic doesnt make one an expert.

Pat,

I believe that a reproductive specialist is a vet that specializes in male/female dogs (many types of animals) that cannot conceive a litter of puppies without help.. I do not know how different it would be from a regular vet that can do alot of the same test and procedures? Maybe Irene can answer that!

Melanie

LMAO .... your not alone in the stupid club Pat!

Well, I guess I'm in the stupid club too then! :p Honestly, I had heard the term "theriogenologist/breeding specialist" before coming here, but did not have much of a clue as to what one was...despite shocking some that I was a breeder and had never heard of such!

EXCELLENT post!!!! Anyone can read tons of books, look up tons of information but until you actually do it...you really have NO idea what it is like.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
I can understand the quest for constantly new knowledge, I just don't see the reasoning behind continuously questioning and putting down the breeding practices of others. I look at some breeders and question why they do one thing, but it's only because it's a different way of approaching it compared to my own. I think if we all did A B C in that order eeeevery time...we would all have clones dogs like that Snuppy dog on Time magazine. Every breeder is different and does differently...and you cannot please EVERYBODY...obviously!

I agree...after reading all the info on here...I know I am a novice and for me....I would not want to take the chance with one of my pets...

Experience is by far more valuable than any book....but all things in life are like that...JMHO...I do realize everyne has to start somewhere, and tat is a personal decision each person has to make....

I'm through with this...but if you noticed, I didn't get really involved. This is a horse beaten to death, brought back to life and beaten again. We all know where everyone stands on this. Why discuss it again? No one can change anyone else's mind! Why go there? This is really sad and I don't understand it anymore. Don't fall for certain posts!!!!!

My vet is very fluent and experienced (that's important right?) in all aspects of canine reproduction which include but are NOT limited to the following:

AI, Surgical AI, Genetics, Infertility/Reproduction Failure, Pregnancy Loss: Abortions, Reabsorbing, Reproductive Diseases and Infections, Prostate Problems, Pyometra, experience performing c-sections, conception issues and successions. Here are just a few of the transcripts from seminars my vet has given on reproduction. He continues to give them all over the world.

http://www.amchessieclub.org/conception.html

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1224

http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0100.htm

I couldn't imagine breeding without the services of a specialist. Breeding is serious and shouldn't be taken lightly. Bringing life into this world surely deserves the assistance of a specialist is my feeling!
I am not going to ask you why you don't feel someone knowledgeable in repro is NOT important. To me it's not important what you do or don't do. I would rather share what I know and hope that I can help those that need it and want it. I am a tad disappointed as to how this thread has turned out because I don't think these questions about "My Vet" are sincere. If they are that's fine and I'm always happy to share. I hope you all are 'smarter' now!

I do think it is very important that your vet be experienced in this area as well! (Mine is.) I missed where questions about your vet was asked. I know I for one did not challenge your vet...if it came accross that way, I am sorry, it was not the way any of my comments were meant. I do feel that knowledge in the areas of genetics/repro are extremely important...afterall, that is what breeding is, isn't it? I was just wondering why is was looked down upon if a breeder did NOT use someone who was STRICTLY a reproductive specialist.

Who said that? I always say, this is what I am comfortable with and I have YET to show that I've passed judgement on someone whos breeding practices DO NOT mirror mine. So I dont' know how I can be misunderstood. Things were taken personal and should not have been.

You are right. I was being challanged about my vet and I am not sure why. I am not intersted in challenging others, I am always open to hearing others opinions and learning a thing or two.

Melanie~ You have the other option that I described then.... if there is not a reproductive specialist near you and you cannot move your breeding program to be close to one, you have found a vet that is good, maybe even great with breeding programs. This is the next best thing. I know you agree that the very best care is vital in any yorkie breeding program. No one can really argue that point honestly.

Irene~ I loved this thread and thank you for starting it. I learned a lot. Sometimes people like to disagree just to disagree despite the obvious illogic of it. There is no stopping it. You are my kind of breeder. Everything you have ever posted has been well reasoned and had sound rationales behind it. I still want to see the study on early s/n....haha...but we respect each other even when we disagree and that is what is important on a forum like this.

A reproductive specialist helps in ALL aspects of a breeding program from Assessing Dogs for potential breeders, Breeding Management, Management of Pregnancy and Whelping, Infertility in the Bitch, Assessment of Male dog fertility, Prostate Disease - Diagnosis and Treatment, Ovulation timing, C-sections, Pharmaceuticals used in Canine Theriogenology, etc., etc. They train the general practiioners in the areas of canine reproduction. Why wouldn't you want to use one if you are breeding yorkies, especially?

As far as criticizing my opinions because I am not a breeder, I can only say that I have never claimed to be an expert, but I am entitled to my opinions.

The word canine theriogenologist was never used on this forum until I used it. Many breeders did not even know what it was. If because of my bringing the existence of these specialists to their attention it saves the life of even one momma or one pup then I have done good!


Don't you agree? :confused:

there's nothing wrong with using a regular vet at all. i did for a very long time. i just got lucky that a repro. spec set up her clinic 2 miles from me. otherwise i'd be using my old faithful vet that i always did. you do have to trust what your vet tells you. and i'm sure they are all alot different in what they do and how they do it. mine does not promote scheduled c-secs unless it becomes nessesery. i'm sure she would do one for me if i insisted, but it is up to the breeder and all we can do is take our vets advice. after all they are the one's who went to school and have the degree. not us. but seasoned breeders probably know just as much about reproduction as the vets do if truth be known and we surely do know our own dogs better than anyone.

I said "If I were a breeder, I would use one or I wouldn't breed" That is just me.

I also suggested that if you want to breed and you don't have one near you then, imo, you should do one of the following:
1. MOVE to be close to one
2. Don't Breed
3. Find the best, most experienced vet in the area who has other breeders, preferably yorkie breeders, as clients. Good advice...no?

This is just my opinion as a breed fancier and yorkie owner and someone wth lots of experience with different vets...lol.... :eek:

As a purchaser of a puppy from a breeder, I would want to know that my puppy, his mother, father and littermates received the very best care and the best start in life because that is what I will provide for the rest of his/her life.

For what that's worth. :)

this post is rather arrogant; to state you brought "therigenologist" to light is rather assuming and appears youre stating that most breeders on this forum are inept and had no knowlege of their existence. Most breeders and vets would refer to them as "reproduction specialist" as they know them to be just that!