Mentor needed

[TexasKat08]

Originally Posted by gemy

Not all ppl who show actually want to be breeders of that particular breed. Some will do it for the absolute love of the breed, because they like to enjoy the sport of conformation. But certainly they would have shown commitment to the purebred dog, in the breeders eye, and are trustworthy. These folks may be a minority, how small I have no idea.

I think I would fall into this category. I got my Nicco 4 years ago, hoping to show him, but had absolutely no desire to breed him. I see the irony in that statement. Isn't a show dog being judged on their fitness for breeding? The champion is supposed to be the best example of the breed and therefore good breeding "stock" (I don't like that word).

[RachelandSadie]

you have to show strong interest in showing and in the LONG run gain trust of the breeder to eventually own, show, and breed their line. it's not to be taken lightly and the relationship takes YEARS to build and make a concrete and solid connection. a mentor won't waste time on someone that isn't going to CH. their dogs and that isn't in the long run planning to breed their line with them. it's hand and hand, showing and breeding. and no reputable show breeder with known champions is going to trust their show prospects with anyone. usually for several years the breeder's name goes on as owner or co-owner of the dog...eventually they MIGHT allow it to be owned by the mentee and eventually years and years of helping in whelps and research and learning they MIGHT allow the mentee to have a dog on open reg. and assist that person in their very first breeding and whelping until the mentee can start to do them on their own....a very good mentee might and this is a BIG might...earn the right to continue the lines when the mentor retires or passes on. every line will need a sucessor, but that's a LOT of weight and responsibility to your mentor and their life's work.

breeders if anything i'm saying is wrong or off please correct me, this is my general idea of what i personally would be signing up for if i did decide to become a show breeder.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by TexasKat08

This is a really interesting thread. It raises one question in particular for me. What is the exhibitor's/breeder's motive for mentoring? I would imagine there are more "novices" out there wanting to show that there are show people willing to share their knowledge, although I could be completely wrong about that. Plus, I imagine mentoring takes a bit of time and energy so it is quite a commitment. When I saw the original post I thought asking for a mentor was odd, but now that I think about it, how would you go about finding one?

Some people call themselves a mentor and it's just because they want to sell a breeding dog, and say, "I'll mentor you". Mainly they mean, "call me if you need help whelping". Other people are really in love with the breed and natural born teachers. Maybe they had a great mentor and it's their way of thanking their mentor. I imagine seasoned breeders have their eyes peeled for people who might make great breeders. I've read that the way to find a good mentor is start by going to local shows.

[mauirobin]

Originally Posted by TexasKat08

This is a really interesting thread. It raises one question in particular for me. What is the exhibitor's/breeder's motive for mentoring? I would imagine there are more "novices" out there wanting to show that there are show people willing to share their knowledge, although I could be completely wrong about that. Plus, I imagine mentoring takes a bit of time and energy so it is quite a commitment. When I saw the original post I thought asking for a mentor was odd, but now that I think about it, how would you go about finding one?

You can apply for one on the AKC site. I do understand actually ending up with a puppy that is show-quality is a long "maybe". There are also Obedience & Agility shows that could be just as fun in my book.

It's something I have always wanted to do, if it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. I cannot obviously afford to keep buying puppies until one does, I don't think any-one could. Not to mention, I would probably have to sell my house & buy a much bigger one to have the room...lol.

As far as breeding my "own" line, I don't think I would be able to do that for the same reason above. There was another link posted somewhere here on YT about judging for conformity shows, & it stated that their toes can be spread, pads cracked, etc. from the owner/handler keeping them in kennels to "protect" their hair. The link was an article from the judges' viewpoint on how to judge yorkies. I don't like kennels, so this would be a problem for me.

I have a single ranch with a huge fenced-in yard. My household expenses for the first time in my life, are minimal. My only expenses for the past few years are pretty much vetting/grooming. I was in restaurant management for 30 yrs, and now only work about 34 hours a week, with a very flexible schedule. I do have the time to start crossing off my "bucket list" items, of which dog-shows are one, and I do need something to get me out of the house besides work. My family is 4 hours away, so I find myself not doing much these days except spending time with my dogs.

As far as breeding...my step-father bred bassets & beagles, my mother bred toy poodles & pekes. My hubby bred dachshunds. I'm no stranger to breeding, I grew up with it, but this is not what I wish to do.

I know it's hard to get into the show without breeding your own, but I want to try. lol, that's probably one of the reasons I want to, as I've always been one to make things harder than they need to be...or so I'm told:P I also think obedience & agility would be great to get into too....so if my pup turns out to not be "show-worthy", I still have other options open to me. My current yorkies are CKC registered, so those avenues are closed.

The odds that any pup I purchase will go all the way? Very slim I know...but what fun we will have trying!

[mauirobin]

Oh, & on the very slim chance that my pup would become champion & needed to be bred? You bet your britches, I'll be headed back to his breeder for that...lol.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by TexasKat08

This is a really interesting thread. It raises one question in particular for me. What is the exhibitor's/breeder's motive for mentoring? I would imagine there are more "novices" out there wanting to show that there are show people willing to share their knowledge, although I could be completely wrong about that. Plus, I imagine mentoring takes a bit of time and energy so it is quite a commitment. When I saw the original post I thought asking for a mentor was odd, but now that I think about it, how would you go about finding one?

I don't have first hand knowledge, but I would say the best mentors seek to better the breed and to contribute to the community. Think of teachers or business people who mentor, or even a master gardener who oversees a gardening club. It's enriching to the individual and the community. A really good mentor can build a lasting legacy. That would be a very satisfying accomplishment.

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by mauirobin

You can apply for one on the AKC site. I do understand actually ending up with a puppy that is show-quality is a long "maybe". There are also Obedience & Agility shows that could be just as fun in my book.

It's something I have always wanted to do, if it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. I cannot obviously afford to keep buying puppies until one does, I don't think any-one could. Not to mention, I would probably have to sell my house & buy a much bigger one to have the room...lol.

As far as breeding my "own" line, I don't think I would be able to do that for the same reason above. There was another link posted somewhere here on YT about judging for conformity shows, & it stated that their toes can be spread, pads cracked, etc. from the owner/handler keeping them in kennels to "protect" their hair. The link was an article from the judges' viewpoint on how to judge yorkies. I don't like kennels, so this would be a problem for me.

I have a single ranch with a huge fenced-in yard. My household expenses for the first time in my life, are minimal. My only expenses for the past few years are pretty much vetting/grooming. I was in restaurant management for 30 yrs, and now only work about 34 hours a week, with a very flexible schedule. I do have the time to start crossing off my "bucket list" items, of which dog-shows are one, and I do need something to get me out of the house besides work. My family is 4 hours away, so I find myself not doing much these days except spending time with my dogs.

As far as breeding...my step-father bred bassets & beagles, my mother bred toy poodles & pekes. My hubby bred dachshunds. I'm no stranger to breeding, I grew up with it, but this is not what I wish to do.

I know it's hard to get into the show without breeding your own, but I want to try. lol, that's probably one of the reasons I want to, as I've always been one to make things harder than they need to be...or so I'm told:P I also think obedience & agility would be great to get into too....so if my pup turns out to not be "show-worthy", I still have other options open to me. My current yorkies are CKC registered, so those avenues are closed.

The odds that any pup I purchase will go all the way? Very slim I know...but what fun we will have trying!

Sounds like you have been surrounded by at least three breeders and maybe your own breeding. I noticed in your album Yogi & Buttons have had a litter so, in my mind that makes you also a breeder.

Your blog included a comment that stopped me dead in my tracks wondering why you would want to take this next step when you wrote:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/blo...omes-home.html

"At this point I am convinced that Yorkies are cold-hearted creatures that have no emotions, but they have a heart-melting-darned-cute face"

[mauirobin]

Originally Posted by miabellaamoure

Sounds like you have been surrounded by at least three breeders and maybe your own breeding. I noticed in your album Yogi & Buttons have had a litter so, in my mind that makes you also a breeder.

Your blog included a comment that stopped me dead in my tracks wondering why you would want to take this next step when you wrote:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/blo...omes-home.html

"At this point I am convinced that Yorkies are cold-hearted creatures that have no emotions, but they have a heart-melting-darned-cute face"

You must not have read the whole blog because you are insinuating I don't like Yorkies by pointing out the sentence I used to describe how Button's was reacting to everyone. Or...you pull out one sentence that makes it look like I don't like Yorkies on purpose. Both are pretty telling statements on their own, but you have already insulted me in the past, & insinuated lack of finances, of which you know nothing about, on this thread.

This thread was asking for info & an experienced person nearby to help me learn about the show ring. If I was only concerned with breeding, I would have continued to breed my CKC dogs...kept my mouth shut, bought two AKC dogs with an excellent pedigree, bred them & no one would be the wiser.

As I stated before, I cannot possibly have a good breeding program here, I won't put dogs in a kennel, etc...therefore breeding my own dogs is out.

Yes, Yogi & Button's had a litter of 2 pups...free whelped, all I did was cut & tie the cords. But I cried all the way to Columbus during both trips when I GAVE 1 pup to my daughter, & the following weekend when I GAVE the 2nd pup to friends of theirs. Oh, wait....I forgot the 2nd pup was breech, I had to assist it's entry into the world, so I did a little more than cut/tie.

Point is, if they didn't go to my daughter & her friends a few houses down from her, I would NOT have been able to give them away. I was attached...Not being able to give up puppies is not an asset of a breeder. Which is why, as I have stated, I will leave that part to the breeders.

I was asking for show info, or some help in my area of the country. If you have nothing to add that hasn't been your usual :rollseyes:, snotty comments or insinuations, or insulting my intelligence in the Wow thread then just ignore my threads/posts, as obviously I must offend you in some way.

[miabellaamoure]

Not sure how you felt my initial post to your thread was singling you out...I even thanked you for such a good thread topic.

Was simply puzzled about your blog comments...I'm glad to hear tho' that your statement was not to be taken serious but, just one made off the cuff. Thank you also for clarifying about your breeding experience as well.

As for the "Wow" thread, I never even connected you to being the OP until you pointed that out just now. I believe my initial post in that thread was to disagree with your insinuation that YT members could tend to be in general nuts, rude, etc.

This online community is based on those who have a deep love and respect for the Yorkie breed. There may be times that YT members will take a stand for exactly that reason and unfortunately sometimes others feel slighted instead of understanding where they are coming from.

Also, out of respect for your sensitivity to my use of emoticons, I have refrained from using any.

Have a nice night.

[mauirobin]

Originally Posted by miabellaamoure

Not sure how you felt my initial post to your thread was singling you out...I even thanked you for such a good thread topic.

Was simply puzzled about your blog comments...I'm glad to hear tho' that your statement was not to be taken serious but, just one made off the cuff. Thank you also for clarifying about your breeding experience as well.

As for the "Wow" thread, I never even connected you to being the OP until you pointed that out just now. I believe my initial post in that thread was to disagree with your insinuation that YT members could tend to be in general nuts, rude, etc.

This online community is based on those who have a deep love and respect for the Yorkie breed. There may be times that YT members will take a stand for exactly that reason and unfortunately sometimes others feel slighted instead of understanding where they are coming from.

Also, out of respect for your sensitivity to my use of emoticons, I have refrained from using any.

Have a nice night.

I was asking people to "play nice". Here is that part of the thread that you pointed out in that thread, bold parts were highlighted by you...
"They will figure out the rest for themselves if they hang around & read. If you scare them off their first day, we have not educated them, & they actually leave us uneducated, & with a feeling that we are just nutz over here. I'm sorry, but I have seen a few members who seem to thrive on starting controversy in threads. They have tons of posts, so I'm aware that they are probably valued members here and I am sorry if I have offended anyone."

How you got that I was calling YT members nuts or rude out of this, I don't know. I actually feel that you didn't get that notion from this statement, but once again, posted a half-truth to start controversy, as you did pulling one sentence out of my blog.

To the rest of you who helped me here, I thank you whole-heartedly, & apologize that once again a thread turns. I told myself several times that I would ignore this person ever since my first weeks here. I did not do such a good job this time.

Thanks again Gemy & Mardelin for your info...I would have never even thought about the shoes!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by mauirobin

You can apply for one on the AKC site. I do understand actually ending up with a puppy that is show-quality is a long "maybe". There are also Obedience & Agility shows that could be just as fun in my book.

It's something I have always wanted to do, if it doesn't pan out, then it doesn't pan out. I cannot obviously afford to keep buying puppies until one does, I don't think any-one could. Not to mention, I would probably have to sell my house & buy a much bigger one to have the room...lol.

As far as breeding my "own" line, I don't think I would be able to do that for the same reason above. There was another link posted somewhere here on YT about judging for conformity shows, & it stated that their toes can be spread, pads cracked, etc. from the owner/handler keeping them in kennels to "protect" their hair. The link was an article from the judges' viewpoint on how to judge yorkies. I don't like kennels, so this would be a problem for me.

I have a single ranch with a huge fenced-in yard. My household expenses for the first time in my life, are minimal. My only expenses for the past few years are pretty much vetting/grooming. I was in restaurant management for 30 yrs, and now only work about 34 hours a week, with a very flexible schedule. I do have the time to start crossing off my "bucket list" items, of which dog-shows are one, and I do need something to get me out of the house besides work. My family is 4 hours away, so I find myself not doing much these days except spending time with my dogs.

As far as breeding...my step-father bred bassets & beagles, my mother bred toy poodles & pekes. My hubby bred dachshunds. I'm no stranger to breeding, I grew up with it, but this is not what I wish to do.

I know it's hard to get into the show without breeding your own, but I want to try. lol, that's probably one of the reasons I want to, as I've always been one to make things harder than they need to be...or so I'm told:P I also think obedience & agility would be great to get into too....so if my pup turns out to not be "show-worthy", I still have other options open to me. My current yorkies are CKC registered, so those avenues are closed.

The odds that any pup I purchase will go all the way? Very slim I know...but what fun we will have trying!

I'm not sure if the first statement meant obtaining your mentor from AKC?
Whil you may apply....a mentor/trainee relationship is very deep.....it is based on strong trust.......Your mentor will be your guide through everything.......you do everything your mentor asks you to do.....simple as that....that is why you must have a common strong trust/bond. You must be able to be at your mentor's home to learn everything.

As far as mentoring someone, for the mentor, it's a tough decision.....one needs to be able to look into someone's heart and know they have a passion for the breed, to leave the breed better than you found it.....I would not even consider mentoring someone that just wants to do this for the fun of it, a serious breeder/exhibitor's time and breeding program is much more valuable than that, and to mentor would be doing just that, giving of time and taking away from their own breeding.

Remember the AKC mission statement for showing in conformation "We show to gain approval of our breeding stock"

[miabellaamoure]

Thank you Mary for your pm & your contributions to this thread...very interesting!

[TexasKat08]

I think several relevant and insightful replies have been posted. I have to agree with RachelandSadie regarding her surprise that a breeder would send a show hopeful across the country. From what I understand, that isn't really the way it works. I believe the breeder will send a puppy with an open registration, but it is hard to fathom that it is a true show prospect. Trust me, I've been there.

I believe showing and breeding to be more of a devotion and commitment to the breed rather than an item to check off a bucket list. I only wish mauirobin the best in this endeavor, but I have to wonder if the cart is in front of the horse in this situation. Perhaps looking for a mentor willing to help you prior to getting your puppy would have been advised if you are serious about succeeding in the ring. I have seen the mentorship info on the AKC website. Is this an avenue you will pursue?

Just my observations and again I wish mauirobin only the best. I look forward to following your journey into the ring.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by TexasKat08

I think several relevant and insightful replies have been posted. I have to agree with RachelandSadie regarding her surprise that a breeder would send a show hopeful across the country. From what I understand, that isn't really the way it works. I believe the breeder will send a puppy with an open registration, but it is hard to fathom that it is a true show prospect. Trust me, I've been there.

I believe showing and breeding to be more of a devotion and commitment to the breed rather than an item to check off a bucket list. I only wish mauirobin the best in this endeavor, but I have to wonder if the cart is in front of the horse in this situation. Perhaps looking for a mentor willing to help you prior to getting your puppy would have been advised if you are serious about succeeding in the ring. I have seen the mentorship info on the AKC website. Is this an avenue you will pursue?

Just my observations and again I wish mauirobin only the best. I look forward to following your journey into the ring.

Let me clarify....Yes, reputable breeder/exhibitor's will place show dogs across the country. However, it isn't done with a newbie, unless the newbie has been evaluated and found worthy to be mentored.

[TexasKat08]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Let me clarify....Yes, reputable breeder/exhibitor's will place show dogs across the country. However, it isn't done with a newbie, unless the newbie has been evaluated and found worthy to be mentored.

Yes, that is what I understand, should have clarified.