Breeding and Showing Experience
 

For those who are willing to take their time to share their knowledge and advice to others I am sure these are things you would also enjoy sharing with them about your experience with the breed.
This will be very helpful to those who are looking for advice.:thumbup:


Number of Years Breeding?
Number of Years Showing?
Number of Homebred Champions Bred?
Number of the ones you Bought and Championed?

Really No One???

I think these questions would be great for those that are actually selling puppies here.

Actually that is a good idea, they are needed for those that are giving advice also, so the person looking towards them for advice can see what amount of experience they actually have. And I really would think this would be something that a breeder would willingly want to share with others. Suprised by the lack of response. But I guess if there is no experience, then there is nothing to share?

This is an open forum and everyone can grab what he or she wants, but these are the types of questions that should be posed to your mentor, and should be answered by them. I've been reading the forum for 4 years now, and I know which members give consistently good answers on which topics. Usually, if someone gives a poor answer, someone comes along and clears it up. Actually, if you do a search here on YT, you can find the answers you pose, but you shouldn't expect everything to be given to you on a silver platter.

How nice of you to be looking out for the integrity of the forum. But keep in mind as a forum, expecting numerous replies in a matter of minutes is not realistic -- not to mention, your initial post is ambiguous at best. Why are you wanting this information and from whom? What point are you trying to make? Do you want a reply from every member that has ever offered advice on the forum -- again, not very realistic. It appears you have someone more in mind that you are particularly interested in. If that is the case, why not just ask them direct?

For myself, I do not think someone necessarily has to have massive experience and years in the yorkie world to be able to offer assistance and substantiative information. I OFTEN explain that I am a novice with limited experience but LOADS of research. :) I try to validate information I receive before putting it to use so even a beginner or a breeder that VERY selectively breeds a few times can offer me a great deal of valuable information if they have the knowledge. When I pass on information, I also try to provide references when the information is something that should be validated. Still, everyone should take information provided by any forum member as a starting point to be followed up with more research.

I also make a point to admit I have not been able to show as yet but want to learn about it. We don't all start off in the show world, but what a great thing to learn and be drawn to it by those who are in it and generously SHARE their experience. Some may stand in the shadows and look in disdain at those who are not showing. Others patiently tell of the benefits to the persons breeding program, their dogs, and the yorkie future in general. That is what made me realize I want to be a part of that world. Had I only had the shadow people experience, I would not even be interested.

I may not have the credentials you would look for, but I can provide a host of reliable information to those searching for answers. I do not try to pass as something I am not though. Hope I was able to answer your questions. :)

I have seen a lot of post that were completely uneducated at best by some of the ones who appear or prehaps pretend to be the experienced. That is why I would think these questions would be important to have breeders answer. I think if they get answered or not, will tell you alot. And I see these experienced breeders hound other members threads, asking them to answer their questions about experience.

Number of Years Breeding?
Actually breeding, about 13 years. I still own my first yorkie, who is 14 1/2 years old.

Number of Years Showing?
I have only shown yorkies on a very limited basis. It has been a couple of years since I was actually in the ring but I try to attend shows to watch and learn, even if I don't have anything to show. I am hoping to get in the ring more this coming year. In my younger days I did show other breeds and had one St. Bernard that my first husband and I showed to her championship.

Number of Homebred Champions Bred?
None yet but that is my hopes and dreams to have my own bred-by champion one day.

Number of the ones you Bought and Championed?
None

I just want to add my opinion, it's not necessarily about how long you've been breeding or showing or whether you have had a number of champion homebred or otherwise. It's more if you are doing a service to whatever breed you are into. I have only been showing for a few years I show both UKC and AKC. I have Championed 2 through UKC. Although for some it may be an easy thing to do. Try taking someone who has extreme self confidence issues and putting them in the ring with a dog that is a little off standard Then add a well known breeder who also happens to be a judge and their dogs, Now for the fun of it add the actual judge who is a friend of the other judge. Now sure you may think that the well known breeder has nice looking dogs. Not in this case. But regardless of the obstacles I was able to finish 2 dogs and gain alot of self confidence. Now I have my 3rd dog that I just started out with and I am just doing AKC for the moment, but will eventually register him UKC as well because I love showing.
As far as Breeding, I have had the total of 2 litters since 2006. One was with a Bitch I no longer own. The other with a Bitch I currently own. I don't breed for any other reason than to better the breed. I am always doing research especially on Genetics and anything that could possibly affect my dogs even if it isn't genetic. If I have questions that I have not found sufficient answers to I go to a few wonderful ladies who have helped me along the way and also some of the knowledgeable ladies on here as well.
As far as Homebred Champions well that is my next course of action, as soon as I finish my current pup with AKC.

So in saying all this I just want to also add that it's not so much about the years or the quantity of Champions to me, it's more about the quality and the health of the dogs I am taking in the ring and eventually breeding. I try not to give advice too much because hey I'm a newbie so to speak, so what do I know. But if something someone has questions about is something I have gone through then yes I will offer my advice. But that's all it is nothing more nothing less.

You wanna know about my experiences, like I've told many people on this forum that has asked the same of others....do "your" research :) It's out there :)

Donna

Well I will try to answer....
Number of years breeding? Well almost 10 for yorkies however 22 years if you count my beginnings with Cocker Spaniels

Number of years showing? Once again, 3 or 4 months however did show back 22 years ago with the Cockers...then paid a handler.

Number of homebred champions? Yorkies none as I just am beginning, Cockers 1

Number of the ones bought and championed? Yorkies: none yet, my boy is just starting out this past weekend...Cockers...geesh I am old but I believe 2... I did buy a championed male dose that count?


I am a previous Vet Tech(well still am but not practicing)and now a Registered Nurse..so for breeding and medical I have lots of knowledge but learn something new just about every day if I can. I have read many books on Yorkies and read The Complete Yorkshire Terrier (cover to cover twice) I have also attended shows for years as a spectator but being IN it recently I realize not much has changed since I did it 20+ years ago. Still very political, sometimes about the person holding the lead instead of what is on the end of it, always run out of time to put the finishing touches on a dog, vendors still charging an arm and leg for something, and so on and so on.
There are quite a few on here I look to for advice and I also give advice to some when they are asking for it. If I do not know the answers I will leave it alone or refer to someone who does know. Not one person on here is an "expert" on Yorkies but if they have been there done that then I feel they can offer advice. It is up to the user whether they use the advice or ignore it.

Instead of making sweeping comments like this, why not correct the exact posts you are talking about when you see someone post inaccurate information? That way someone can really benefit. No one benefits from this post.

I think a lot of breeders are not going to answer you as they wonder who you are to be demanding their qualifications/history. You did not even offer your own. I don't think anyone owes it to you to provide their information. Now if you were purchasing a puppy from them, judging them in the ring, writing a Yorkshire Terrier Magazine article, penning their authorized biography etc.....sure then they should probably supply you with the information you want from whoever it is you are wanting it from but are afraid to name.

Why the games? Your info shows you have been here just over a year, 30 some posts, no info in profile..... why the mystery? Are you on FB by any chance? Would you answer a list of questions to a complete unknown for reasons left undeclared? I don't think you are having the affect you had hoped. We don't think anyone here owes you answers.

Would you mind answering the questions yourself? I would love to know your experience with yorkies.

I feel that one does not have to actually breed a champion or show a yorkie to it's championship to be able to answer simple questions if the person has their own opinion or input to share from personal experience. Even among the old and most knowledgeable breeders you will find a huge variety of opinions on breeding, showing, diet, testing, etc. I feel it is best to hear everyone's opinion, whether I agree or not. I have learned so much since coming to YT from show breeders and pet owners. There has been so much knowledge passed down from others, be it from mentors or pet owners. All input and opinions should be welcome, whether one agrees or not.

Looks like she won't be able to answer your question.

Number of Years Breeding? 35 years breeding yorkies
Number of Years Showing? 35 years showinging yorkies. 46 years showing dogs.
Number of Homebred Champions Bred? 48 homebred yorkies.
Number of the ones you Bought and Championed? Have no idea as I was a handler and finished many dogs for clients as well as my own dogs.

Nope those questions by her won't be answered oh well, guess we won't get to know her better. I truly hope we can continue to educate to the best of our abilities to everyone even those who fight us tooth and nail :) Maybe one day some will take a step back and at least read and learn with an open mind ;)

Donna

What happened?
 

Did the OP use a bad word? Why was she banned? Really confused, I thought the questions were reasonable because I've seen people on here anonymously giving advice in a very authoritative fashion that could mislead someone naive. It's nice that people come on here to give help and advice, but maybe they shouldn't be anonymous.

She was not banned for her questions, and we aren't allowed to discuss why members are banned, there must have been another rule she broke.

She for sure got a big whiff of BANapple gas!!!

Lori, this was a good read because I know exactly who and what you were talking about. it has happened to me too with the same people. LOL. My two champions are UKC champions but I will never say, Only a UKC champion because both mine were very hard won. Now:
Number of years breeding four
Years of showing Three or close to it.
Homebred champions. ONE

Dog bought and championed: ONE I have shown AKC also but still working on that.:)

You sound like you're working very hard to improve the breed. I know that YTCA has established yorkies as a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) breed. That's about health testing. To get a CHIC number your yorkie has to have the eyes CERF tested and the knees have to be OFA examined. There are also a few recommended tests. Have you looked into this type of testing for your dogs?

Lori,
You can do it a couple of ways. Some of the tests you can do at your vet. There are vet clinics at some shows that do some of the certifications which can save money and benefit clubs. I've seen board certified Drs doing them. I don't think it's a req for every single test, yet it's a good idea to go w/ a board cert DVM. Either way, all of the tests take time to complete. So start planning now. So by the time he's a year you will know what you need to start testing. The hips aren't done at shows.

You may want to seek the best of the best for each specialty in medicine. Either way, all of this takes time. Each breed different breed specific tests for them. Your results will become public. If you don't have a perfect score on anything, it's fine. Just doing it.

Thank you, I really am in this for the breed. I have done some research on the chic testing and have talked to my vet. Since I have only 2 intact dogs at the moment and only one is over 2 years old she will be getting done this coming year. My boy has to wait but he is getting his bats done and my vet monitors his Patellas to make sure they stay tight but not to tight.

Thank you Elle, I have done some research and I can get eyes and cardiac done at some shows. With the hips and patellas I would prefer xrays be done instead of just manipulation so that is going to be extra.

As stated before CERFs and knees OFAs to obtain a CHIC #. However, YTCA has now made this a minimum requirement to be able to obtain any of the top dog titles in YTCA.

Hi, The OFA Patellar exam is a manual examination that can be done by a general practitionar. And there are often screening clinics done at shows that offer that exam for a very reasonable price. The minimum age for OFA patellar is one year to have the exam count for an OFA number. Hips must be done at a vet's office as it is an x-ray and needs to be done by a vet who is experienced in doing hips. The way the dog is placed on the x-ray may determine the outcome. The minimum age for OFA Hips is two years of age. There is no minimum for CERF so you can get that done any time but they do recommend retesting the eyes periodically. As the dog has to be one year to get a OFA Patellar number it's at that point you can get a CHIC number!!

One other VERY IMPORTANT point to remember....NEVER let a vet manipulate the dogs knees to check for luxating patella when the dog is tranquilized as some vets do for the hip x-ray. That can damage the knees. The dog needs to be awake and standing for the knee exam.

WOW! Now I want to look for all your posts. :)

I'm getting Radar's eyes done on Monday for his Chic # and OFA paperwork done for his knees next week as well. So he should have his CHIC # after the first of the year. Heart and thyroid will done at the next dog show that is holding a clinic because it's cheaper. His hips are going to be done in Jan as well.
Donna

You're having the "works" done. Very impressive!!! Good for you and for your breeding program.