Considering being a small breeder Hello- I realize I have a lot to learn and am certainly not ready to do this tomorrow but I am interested in starting a small and responsible breeding operation. Before I start, I am curious, are small breeders generally profitable ventures? What size do breeders start to be profitable? Thank you. |
Breeding responsibily is NOT a money making venture. And part of being responsible, means being there ready to step in financially, to cover any illnesses/mistakes your puppy may have when you have sold this baby to people that want a loving family member, and it dies from some genetic issue, because as the breeder, you failed to investigate thoroughly, your breeding dog's lines going back AT LEAST 12 generations. There are lines you just DO NOT COMBINE and you must know these lines, or you will produce genetic timebombs. Breeding Yorkies is NOT a money making venture. People that show their dogs and know the lines they have, going back generations, do not do it for the money they make....you make no money breeding these dogs. If you want to do it simply for the love of the breed, you MUST become completely knowledgable in what lines you can safely combine, and what lines you do not mix. You must be willing to stand behind your product, and that means when 4 years down the l;ine, a puppy YOU produced and sold, comes down with liver/heart/kidney disease, you are there financially to assume the cost for making the dog healthy.....you have sold a defective puppy to a loving home and it now is breaking hearts, because of a breeding screw up YOU made. Do not even go here unless you have unlimited funds, and unless you have invested at the least, a 3-4 of years of intensive study into lines and pedigrees and what works and what doesnt work, show dogs that have been successful, and those that have thrown genetic disasters, etc..... Hang out at reputable shows, AKC sanctioned shows, learn breeders, learn lines, learn what mixes and what doesnt mix.....Unfortunately, people get into "breeding" yorkies because they think they can make buckets of cash....aint gonna happen....you will more than like produce little timebombs, sell them for a tidy profit, then end up in court getting sued by an owner who's heart has been broken because you sold them a genetically defective puppy that died on them or is just costing them thousands of dollars to keep the unfortunate little soul alive. Your breeding stock will cost you thousands of dollars EACH....you will know the lines of those dogs back at least 12 generations, and what each generation of dogs behind your dog has produced that will be unhealthy. You will know what lines you can cross successfully, and what lines you do not dare mix....You do not jump into breeding yorkies just so you can sell or "give away" puppies to friends and family....you are producing little living creatures, as much as God allows YOU as a breeder to juggle the genetics you have in your breeding program....you are selling these little living creatures to people that have invested their money, hopes and dreams and emotions on that tiny baby, and you do NOT want to be careless with that responsibility, by selling genetically inferior dogs that are sick and are going to die and break the hearts of their new owners. Breeding animals of any kind is a huge responsibility, and is NOT something to be entered into "for fun"....it is enormously expensive, you do NOT make money doing it, and you are responsible for genetically producing time bombs that can break peoples hearts and cause huge medical/vet bills keeping that baby healthy or even alive. |
Please read and take to heart the information provided by Yorkiemom1. She is very experienced and knows what she's talking about. My experience with breeding is very limited, but I can say with authority that "doing it right" is NOT something you pursue as a money making prospect. It is a labor of love that often times will leave a hole in your heart and your bank account. |
NEED HELP | 3 day old I have a 3 day old Yorkie that was 2.3 oz at birth! He is only gaining 1 gram a day (2 yesterday). His brothers are gaining 10+ lbs. I make sure he is nursing and seems to be doing great. Should I be worried? Should I supplement? I can't figure out how to post a new thread so I am hoping someone can answer my questions. |
I personally would be supplementing this baby with tube feedings, three times/24 hours. Watch weight and adjust feedings as needed. |
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Very labor and time intensive too. Yorkiemom1 is experienced and gave an excellent answer. |
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Dog breeding of any breed is not a profit making business. In fact we don't look at it as a business at all. But do it for our love and passion for the breed |
I got into a round table discussion about dog breeding and the business side of it....I did not have much to offer, because I never got into breeding in order to make money....stupid, right??!!!....people that DID start out with that goal, were very quick to contribute to the conversation....the figures that stick in my mind were: A breeder must breed 85-100+/yearly dogs in order to make any money doing it.....that number of dogs will cover the dogs that are "drainers", that is, dogs that cost you more money than you can clear from a litter, and they are consistent losers....so you need to cull those non producers.....the "breeding game" is a cruel and heartless business, with "bottom lines" and "profits" and "outcomes" the driving principles behind the business....if they dont consistently make money, get rid of them.... I quickly realized this was a side of the "business" that I was not capable of tolerating or participating in.....you have to get into this with the right frame of reference, with your goals and reasons for doing what you are doing....if it is to make money in a nice little business, it aint gonna work! The fewer dogs you have, the less emergencies you can absorb.....one c-section in the middle of the night, will run you over $2000.00...and you may lose the momma as well as all the babies...and that does not include follow up expenses.....Then there are the few litters that do live and grow and you manage to sell....only to have them (UNLESS you have invested thousands of dollars in excellent lines and years learning what you breed with what, and what you NEVER mix) develop health issues in their new homes....you have a responsibility as a respectable breeder and person, to help make that right for the people that are trying to save your breeding screw up.....so you are out MORE money....and if you have a dog throwing genetically inferior babies, you pull that dog off line and spay her....so...your little small breeding program has cost you a fortune, and you are down to ONE dog....and what is wrong with THAT dog and genetic pool has yet to be experienced!!! This is NOT something you want to do! |
A lot of great information has been presented here. I have little to contribute other than back up what others have already said. Responsible dog breeding is a nice hobby for people who have time and money to devote to it. If you're looking for income, forget it. |
Wow, these are all great points! I always appreciate the information from those that breed. My interest is the health and genetics. My second Yorkie, Cali , that I have now came to me from an excellent breeder, who was showing her, but even though she was getting the ribbons and trophies this experienced breeder recognized that she was small and probably "would not make weight". At the time I had no idea what that meant. I learn later that really good breeders do not breed Yorkies that are under 5 pounds. So, sharp breeder that she was she found my home for Cali, who is now 7 years old, runs agility like mad, and is a service hearing dog for me trained at a professional facility. I have since learned more about all of this. First, when I got Cali at 10.5 months she came with a binder. It was about 1.5 inches thick with test, and genetic studies and even toy recommendations. Very complete. I thought I knew Yorkies having had one before but this binder was a real education. When i took this pup, and her binder, to the vet she called in the other vets to see this dog (and the famous binder). They oohed and awed, and really dug into the binder. The next thing I knew they were telling me what a fine pup I had and that the cost of " all that stuff" in the binder was tremendous and that the breeder had not made a penny on this pup! Since then I have joined the health team at the Yorkie shows and since medicine is my field I have really gotten int to it. Bottom line, I am so grateful for the great breeder for this perfectly healthy little girl and all she has brought to my life. Comparing my previous yorkie who was fairly well bred but ended up with expensive health issues, I have learned so much. A great deal of that from the generous folks here at YT and I will now only purchase Yorkies from an experienced show breeder with much research and caring in their background. I seem to prefer their attitude and aptitude. So every time I hear about the poor dog here on YT who needs to be surrendered due to the need for expensive health care I thank my pup's breeder:D Sorry, but it has been so long, but it has been a long lessons learned!!! |
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