Question about Exhibitor / Show Breeder litters

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

I would consider someone that has consistently excelled at producing top winning dogs to be a Top Show breeder. Around here we have Caraneal, Stratford, Wolpert, Tiffanys, and Thimbletip. We have many up and coming breeders like Paddington, Empee, and Yorkchest as well. It's a lofty goal that few obtain.

Thank you~

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Not to offend YT, but how many Top Show breeders do we have here?
I know it is not usual for any breeder finishing 6 to 10 champions per year.(remember many co-own or sell to other show kennels) to have 4 to 6.
I do not recall YTCA limiting litter numbers. AKC does not...I am not defending volumne breeding..but if a breeder like Durrers or NikNak, just to name two are producing champion after champion, I think how many litters they breed is their business. One litter every two years or 4 every year makes no one reputable and ethical.

There are no rules as to how many litters a breeder has, the only rule I know of is that there is spacing of litters to insure your females health.

And as you stated the Top Breeders do have 6 or 7 Champions a year, however, not all are Championed by the Breeder but, by other show homes where they have placed their quality dogs with.

Top Breeders that are world renowed and have contributed much to the Yorkshire Terrier....Pastoral, Yorkboro, Parkside, Durrer, Rothby (deseased last year). There are only an elite few that are turely part of the Top Breeders.

[YorkieRose]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

This a bit off-topic, but what constitutes a, "Top Show breeder"? I'm also curious about what you asked; "..how many Top Show breeders do we have here?".

I used the term, Top Breeder as defined in the recent thread...7 stages of a breeder.
There could be some here, but I do not think so..not meaning YT is benneath them..but they do not have time or the need to be a member here

Some members see fit to list a set of rules and regs to define what is right and wrong in the dog world...with all due respect, you do not set the rules..nor do I.

[YorkieRose]

Originally Posted by Ladyhawk

I would consider someone that has consistently excelled at producing top winning dogs to be a Top Show breeder. Around here we have Caraneal, Stratford, Wolpert, Tiffanys, and Thimbletip. We have many up and coming breeders like Paddington, Empee, and Yorkchest as well. It's a lofty goal that few obtain.

I saw every single name mentioned start out...one thing ALL have in common is dedication and love for the breed. They all worked so hard to be where they are and stay where they are...I remember "Paddington" when she only had her pet Yorkie she got from me..I remember how long and hard she has worked to be where she is...and "Caraneal"..nothing but consistant work for perfection...on and on...

[BFar]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I used the term, Top Breeder as defined in the recent thread...7 stages of a breeder.
There could be some here, but I do not think so..not meaning YT is benneath them..but they do not have time or the need to be a member here

Some members see fit to list a set of rules and regs to define what is right and wrong in the dog world...with all due respect, you do not set the rules..nor do I.

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

[KYBLUE]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

[maggiesmom_2007]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

:thum bup:

[gardenyorkies]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

Very Well Said!...I couldn't agree with you more!

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

Touche

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

Interesting but how can you have it both ways? Either you stand behind good breeding practices or you don't. I for one am unwavering in who I support in regard to how they breed and advertise.

[TammyJM]

I have read through this whole thread and I am still sitting here with the same feelings that I began with. Quite honestly, I don't care what ribbon and/or status a dog achieves...I care about their spirit....their happiness that they will experience in their short lives. I don't care how "nice", "clean", "high-tech" a kennel is or how many "nannies" they have hired. Do you think that these dogs would chose this life for themselves....if that had a choice, that is. My local homeless animal shelter is all of this mentioned (new, nice, clean, high-tech, good vet care) but these dogs beg to get out of there and do you think that the "show Yorkies" think that their situation is any better? Difference between the two is that at least the shelter dogs are not being bred.

I know that I wouldn't like it if I were them and if you say that you feel they are happy, then try trading places with them for awhile....you in the kennel, them on a comfy couch.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

I have read through this whole thread and I am still sitting here with the same feelings that I began with. Quite honestly, I don't care what ribbon and/or status a dog achieves...I care about their spirit....their happiness that they will experience in their short lives. I don't care how "nice", "clean", "high-tech" a kennel is or how many "nannies" they have hired. Do you think that these dogs would chose this life for themselves....if that had a choice, that is. My local homeless animal shelter is all of this mentioned (new, nice, clean, high-tech, good vet care) but these dogs beg to get out of there and do you think that the "show Yorkies" think that their situation is any better? Difference between the two is that at least the shelter dogs are not being bred.

I know that I wouldn't like it if I were them and if you say that you feel they are happy, then try trading places with them for awhile....you in the kennel, them on a comfy couch.

There might have been a point in time that I too thought that your local dog shelter was considered what a show breeder calls a kennel. But now that I have become more educated on the subject I know this is not true. How could you possibly expect to have well trained show dogs working to earn championships in a ring if they were kept like in those kinds of conditions. That's like saying you could walk into the local shelter and pick up a dog on your way to show.

[yorkielady06]

Originally Posted by BFar

I agree. So much so that I have been hesitant to admit that I have a litter due and share in the excitement and nervousness of it here. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was washing my show dog, even though I was sooo tired, babying my expectant bitch, coaxing her to eat and making sure my cut down boy got his attention and got his teeth brushed. And how much work it is to be an exhibitor and breeder and how much of our money goes to taking care of the dogs. And that's the easy part. The biggest investment is our hearts. I'm not patting my own back here. This is the same scenario for the breeder/exhibitors that I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a little at dog shows. The apathetic B/E is the rarity. The more litters, the more exhausting it is. The more tirelessly they have to work. These breeders are amazing to me and are the ones who are making it possible for there to be nice Yorkies in the world. They live a different life than the non-breeder... I have tickets to a Broadway play next Friday that I received as a Christmas gift that I probably won't be going to... how many weddings, etc. do breeders have to miss because of doggie obligations? All this without even mentioning the work it takes to show a Yorkie. The travel, the lack of sleep, the motels, the money, the stress, and then getting a labor-intensive Yorkie groomed so that it can compete with the professionally handled dogs int the ring. It is a collective labor of love and there is a culture of people who have this calling to do this with their lives. I don't think they deserve to be judged by anyone who has not done it themselves. For one not involved with breeding/exhibiting to decide the number of litters a breeder/exhibitor should have just does not makes sense.

I just recently had to leave on Thanksgiving with a house full of family and friends to go to a dog show for 4 days just to have the honor of helping my mentor with her dogs and not even have one of my own in the ring. The many family gatherings, social outings, vacations that I have had to pass on to take care of dogs. Even so much as going to the hospital for surgery at times must be put off until pups are whelped or a sick dog is taken care of. Then there is the money it takes to have a litter delivered via c-section at the Emergency Clinic (1200-1500), the hours on end spent in mopping, feeding, grooming, wrapping, trimming, socializing, training, traveling, and the list goes on and on. The amount of money spend on purchasing a potential, the money on that potentials vet expenses, testing, food and only to have to pet that dog out for less than the original purchase price. The many things that pet owners or the general public just do not understand.

I am just beginning this venture of exhibiting and even in doing that I have learned so much and yet monetarily have lost so much. I had to reevaluate my entire program and take a completely different path. To relearn what a true silk coat is, what good structure and movement is, the breed standard as written, has been very time consuming. The hours spent reading, rereading, watching videos over and over.... the list could go on. To me, it is not in the number of litters or the number of dogs, it is if those dogs are well cared for and the quality of the pups they are producing.

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

There might have been a point in time that I too thought that your local dog shelter was considered what a show breeder calls a kennel. But now that I have become more educated on the subject I know this is not true. How could you possibly expect to have well trained show dogs working to earn championships in a ring if they were kept like in those kinds of conditions. That's like saying you could walk into the local shelter and pick up a dog on your way to show.

That's just it, Jodi....I'm not talking about showing a dog.

[BFar]

Originally Posted by TammyJM

I have read through this whole thread and I am still sitting here with the same feelings that I began with. Quite honestly, I don't care what ribbon and/or status a dog achieves...I care about their spirit....their happiness that they will experience in their short lives. I don't care how "nice", "clean", "high-tech" a kennel is or how many "nannies" they have hired. Do you think that these dogs would chose this life for themselves....if that had a choice, that is. My local homeless animal shelter is all of this mentioned (new, nice, clean, high-tech, good vet care) but these dogs beg to get out of there and do you think that the "show Yorkies" think that their situation is any better? Difference between the two is that at least the shelter dogs are not being bred.

I know that I wouldn't like it if I were them and if you say that you feel they are happy, then try trading places with them for awhile....you in the kennel, them on a comfy couch.

I understand your point and I think it is valid. BUT most breeders care very much about the quality of their dog's lives. And the depth to which a breeder cares about her breeding bitches in indescribable. Breeders would howl at every full moon if they thought it would protect their girls. The fact is that we all choose for them. Whether it is a pet owner or a breeder. We choose their food, their living arrangements, and their lifestyle, all believing we are doing the best for them, whatever that lifestyle is. The person across the street might be horrified at what you feed your dog if they believe in something different.

However, I believe It is your right not to support purebred dog breeding and exhibiting and I respect your right to your opinion. I don't think you need to roll your eyes though. My dogs love me and if I gave them the option to let them go home and be an only pet with say, you... they would "choose" me. They wait at the door for me to come home when I'm gone. Not anyone else. ME.