Breeder Vs Breeding

crazedACD

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#1
Here's a good one.

I know myself, I have certain expectations from a breeder, but I also don't expect all of those points to be met. But I know that if I wanted to breed dogs, I would probably drive myself crazy to meet my own standard of breeding quality.

So, is what you expect from a breeder, the same as what you would expect from yourself breeding dogs? How does it vary?
 

Beanie

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#2
Yes, hahaha. And yes it kind of is a PITA. I think part of being a good breeder is having the ability to be your dog's worst critic. Payton is almost three and I still haven't 100% committed to breeding him, for all the talk of Payton Babies I like to do. There's still a few more things I would like to knock out before I'll say okay for sure.
And then I have to find a suitable bitch, which is like finding a breeder you like but ALSO having to find one with a bitch who has the highs to meet your dog's lows.

Needle in a haystack.

It's a huge PITA.


I would be much, much richer if I just let Payton hump bitches belonging to anybody with a grand to throw my way.
 

meepitsmeagan

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#3
I know what you mean. I've been asked a few times if I plan to breed puppy as I have many things I'd like to dabble in. The answer is no. Maybe someday in the far future, but I expect a breeder to know their breed inside and out, know structure and be working towards a versatile dog. It will be several years before I'm there. I still haven't found an ACD breeder that I am completely happy with, but I don't know that I ever will.
 

Southpaw

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#4
Not exactly, no... I would be the laziest of BYB breeders. Which is why I have no interest in ever breeding. My expectations are quite a bit higher when I look at breeders. :p
 

*blackrose

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#5
Not exactly, no... I would be the laziest of BYB breeders. Which is why I have no interest in ever breeding. My expectations are quite a bit higher when I look at breeders. :p
^ This. I really have no desire to trial and train multiple dogs to competitive levels. So if I were a breeder, I would be that person just breeding "good family dogs". LOL I would for sure have all health testing done, have the dogs evaluated on their structure and movement, only breed dogs with solid temperaments, raise the pups with proper stimulation/socialization, and place the pups appropriately...but I would be that person breeding dogs without titles.

So, comparatively, I wouldn't be a HORRIBLE breeder...but I don't think I'd be considered a reputable breeder. Just a souped up BYB. Hahaha
 

Elrohwen

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#6
I'm struggling with this now. Some people have expressed interest in breeding to Watson in a couple years, but I'm trying to decide how he lives up to my expectations. Mainly, I really wanted him to have titles before breeding, but not many dogs in my breed *do* have titles (other than confo). It would be a shame to take a nice dog out of the breeding population because I'm a new trainer and don't spend enough time training him in obedience and agility. He also has mild seasonal allergies, and most of his litter is the same, which makes me uncomfortable. At minimum, he will have to pass all standard health testing and get his conformation championship, but I consider that bare minimum and hoped to do better.

Then again, I've met a fair number of Welsh now and I haven't seen one with a better temperament, and many with worse temperaments. His structure and movement are well above average and his conformation faults are minor things (slight issues with ear or tail set, for example). I think the breed is really in need of dogs with friendly stable temperaments and he can offer that.

There's so much to consider! I'm definitely less judgey of breeders than I used to be and I realize that sometimes you need to compromise, especially in a rare breed. The only thing I won't compromise on is basic health testing and good care of the dogs and puppies in the breeder's home. Considering how easy it is to get a Ch on a Welsh, I wouldn't compromise on that either.
 

SpringerLover

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#7
I used to say "oh, I want to breed ESS so I can make them better" blahdeblahblah.

And now I just can't. That might change again, but... I have way too many expectations. I would definitely say I have more expectations for myself as a potential breeder than I necessarily do for current breeders I admire.
 

Dogdragoness

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#8
Here's a good one.

I know myself, I have certain expectations from a breeder, but I also don't expect all of those points to be met. But I know that if I wanted to breed dogs, I would probably drive myself crazy to meet my own standard of breeding quality.

So, is what you expect from a breeder, the same as what you would expect from yourself breeding dogs? How does it vary?
There are a lot of "good" breeders who have what I would call questionable practices, either they associate with a shady breeder or I just don't like the way they do business.

See, people don't understand that you aren't just buying a puppy, you are buying a relationship with that puppy's breeder as well. And if something they do or something about them in general doesn't sit right with you or annoys you then think long and hard about if you are willing to deal with those things for 15+ years.

For me I want my relationship with a breeder to be like a friendship, I will overlook something conformationally that I don't like about a breeders dogs (as long as it's not congenital, genetic, a serious conformational fault) if I really like the breeder as a person, because beautiful dogs to me are nil if the breeder is an asshole.
 

Southpaw

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#9
^ This. I really have no desire to trial and train multiple dogs to competitive levels. So if I were a breeder, I would be that person just breeding "good family dogs". LOL I would for sure have all health testing done, have the dogs evaluated on their structure and movement, only breed dogs with solid temperaments, raise the pups with proper stimulation/socialization, and place the pups appropriately...but I would be that person breeding dogs without titles.

So, comparatively, I wouldn't be a HORRIBLE breeder...but I don't think I'd be considered a reputable breeder. Just a souped up BYB. Hahaha
Yeah I just wouldn't want to invest the time and money in "proving" my dogs. Would still value health of course but they'd just be pets! Which now that I think of it, I guess I really wouldn't mind that if I were looking for a breeder....
 

Paige

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#10
I'd never breed because I am not that invested in bettering a breed. I like border collie but I'm not eating, crapping and breathing them. There are way note suitable people to breed than me so I will leave it up to those who are doing all the things I can't be bothered to do.
 

Oko

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#11
At this point I can't see myself ever breeding dogs, but suffice to say I would expect way more from my dogs than I consider okay from others dogs before breeding...which is why I'll probably never breed because that will never happen. :)
 

Shai

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#12
I'm picky as all get out either way, assuming you are talking about breeders from which I would get a dog, not just breeders in general.
 

Keechak

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#13
I would say I have slightly higher standards for myself than I require in other breeders. I will ONLY breed titled dogs, and I highly prefer those titles to be in the performance venue the breed was created for; or a CH with majors from breeder judges. However I have purchased from a litter with an untitled (tho multi major pointed) dam. I also require all my dogs to pass hip, elbow, and eye exams and be tested for MDR1 and HSF4 mutations. I also will not double up on any carrier genes and will not take the risk of producing a mutant/mutant puppy.
 

Dogdragoness

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#14
I don't see myself breeding ... ever. I have shown before but never bred. Now I just have pets/sport dogs.

But I am picky about my breeders, I mean if I wasn't I might as well go to the shelter LOL. you (general you) pick a breeder for a REASON, you want to know where the puppies came from, know their linage and what their lines are known for and what they do and don't have. If you aren't thinking about that when you choose a breeder and are choosing based on the simple fact that they breed "your" breed then you might as well get a shelter dog.
 

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