Start Breeding?
- Thread starter neilomc05
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Dixie- I've gotta say that was a PHENOMENAL POST.
I think people get so caught up in the idea of having adorable puppies they leave absolutely NO thought to the idea that something might (and most likely WILL) go wrong. Posts like yours are absolutely invaluable because you provide a lone voice of reason, when mostly all people are hearing is "oooh puppies! cute!"
Even the most experienced breeders have stories that will drive you to tears. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, nature throws a curve ball at you. There are things that happen to people that there is NO WAY to prepare for. I know people who have shown and bred dogs for over 30 years, producing multiple champions, knowing their lines backward and forward, doing all the necessary genetic health testing, and yet they'll readily admit to the time they had a litter that a cleft palate puppy was born. Or the litter with the puppy that had it's internal organs developing on the OUTSIDE of its body. Or the litter with the puppy that had a limb that never fully developed.
Pat Trotter (arguably one of the most well-respected breeders of ANY breed in our nation), has some horror stories of ENTIRE litters of puppies being wiped out by a raging parvo epidemic in the late 80s. If you want to talk EXPENSIVE treatment with absolutely NO guarantee that it's going to work, try treating parvo in 8 week old pups.
Point is- SO many things can go wrong, EVEN when the breeding is done under the watchful eye of someone who TRULY knows what they're doing.
Anyone who decides to breed a dog must do so with the full knowledge that they risk the life of their bitch AND the puppies, (not to mention their bank accounts!!!). In other words, you should have a d@mn good reason for wanting to breed, and without a DOUBT if you're new at it, you should have a GOOD mentor who is willing to hold your hand every step of the way.
Thanks once again for a fantastic post Dixie. If that doesn't move people, I don't know what will.
And to the OP- I've got to add to those who have said kudos for asking questions FIRST! With that alone, you've distinguished yourself from the 99.9% of people who come on here that have ALREADY done it, or conversely, are completely set in their ways, and then get angry when we tell them the truth, instead of what they want to hear.
There's a wealth of information to be learned on this site- I highly reccommend reading some of the breeding stickies as well.
And might I suggest that you attend a local dog show just to have a chat with some Boxer breeders? You will learn more in 10 minutes with one of them than any of us can possibly tell you on this board. If you're serious about doing this, and doing it right, THOSE are the people you've got to get in contact with!
I think people get so caught up in the idea of having adorable puppies they leave absolutely NO thought to the idea that something might (and most likely WILL) go wrong. Posts like yours are absolutely invaluable because you provide a lone voice of reason, when mostly all people are hearing is "oooh puppies! cute!"
Even the most experienced breeders have stories that will drive you to tears. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, nature throws a curve ball at you. There are things that happen to people that there is NO WAY to prepare for. I know people who have shown and bred dogs for over 30 years, producing multiple champions, knowing their lines backward and forward, doing all the necessary genetic health testing, and yet they'll readily admit to the time they had a litter that a cleft palate puppy was born. Or the litter with the puppy that had it's internal organs developing on the OUTSIDE of its body. Or the litter with the puppy that had a limb that never fully developed.
Pat Trotter (arguably one of the most well-respected breeders of ANY breed in our nation), has some horror stories of ENTIRE litters of puppies being wiped out by a raging parvo epidemic in the late 80s. If you want to talk EXPENSIVE treatment with absolutely NO guarantee that it's going to work, try treating parvo in 8 week old pups.
Point is- SO many things can go wrong, EVEN when the breeding is done under the watchful eye of someone who TRULY knows what they're doing.
Anyone who decides to breed a dog must do so with the full knowledge that they risk the life of their bitch AND the puppies, (not to mention their bank accounts!!!). In other words, you should have a d@mn good reason for wanting to breed, and without a DOUBT if you're new at it, you should have a GOOD mentor who is willing to hold your hand every step of the way.
Thanks once again for a fantastic post Dixie. If that doesn't move people, I don't know what will.
And to the OP- I've got to add to those who have said kudos for asking questions FIRST! With that alone, you've distinguished yourself from the 99.9% of people who come on here that have ALREADY done it, or conversely, are completely set in their ways, and then get angry when we tell them the truth, instead of what they want to hear.
There's a wealth of information to be learned on this site- I highly reccommend reading some of the breeding stickies as well.
And might I suggest that you attend a local dog show just to have a chat with some Boxer breeders? You will learn more in 10 minutes with one of them than any of us can possibly tell you on this board. If you're serious about doing this, and doing it right, THOSE are the people you've got to get in contact with!
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I disagree with this! Not that I'm trying to talk you into breeding or anything like that -- I just think that people can breed responsibly. I breed the occasional litter, and I am active with breed rescue. I don't see breeding as defeating my purpose in rescue. Breeds have to be maintained if we expect to continue to have them around, and responsible breeding is the only way to do that.
Rescue dogs aren't right for every situation. People should have the choice of being able to buy from a good breeder if rescue doesn't fit their situation. Beyond that, some breeds are rare and may not be found in rescue situations. I don't think people should have to give up their dream of owning a particular breed IF it can't be found in rescue. Many rescue / shelter dogs are mutts with traits one may not be able to predict so well. If a person / family needs particular traits, they may be right to stick with a particular breed. They should go to a responsible breeder. I'm in love with a certain breed. A mutt, although very lovable, is not what I want. It's not wrong of me to want a specific breed known for its specific traits and to acquire it from a responsible breeder. If we try to stop responsible breeding, all there would be is dogs not resembling their breeds very well or mutts.
Rescue dogs aren't right for every situation. People should have the choice of being able to buy from a good breeder if rescue doesn't fit their situation. Beyond that, some breeds are rare and may not be found in rescue situations. I don't think people should have to give up their dream of owning a particular breed IF it can't be found in rescue. Many rescue / shelter dogs are mutts with traits one may not be able to predict so well. If a person / family needs particular traits, they may be right to stick with a particular breed. They should go to a responsible breeder. I'm in love with a certain breed. A mutt, although very lovable, is not what I want. It's not wrong of me to want a specific breed known for its specific traits and to acquire it from a responsible breeder. If we try to stop responsible breeding, all there would be is dogs not resembling their breeds very well or mutts.
I NEVER said to NEVER breed. Breeding, I consider, is a 100% gamble. No matter how responsible the breeding "seems" to be, you just never know,and because you never know, you have got to be prepared.
I did not have a "responsible" breeding, it was more like a "surprise-gift" breeding from a relative close to me. ANYWAY~ my dog was healthy, had an excellent pedigree, she came from many GSC. The stud, while not having a UKC championship because the owner went the ADBA route, acceled in wp and many other phases and events in the ADBA. His pedigree was also impressive. My dog didnt have health testing done, however the stud did.
My point, the breeding was SOMEWHAT~HALFWAY there, in other words, nobody threw 2 mutts together with no history behind them.
Not one pup in Dixies litter or the studs litter when they were babies had an overbite. Never...........owners even went thru records and contacted people, not a sign, yet one pup that I have has a 1 1/2 inch over bite. Distemper???WTF did that come from???
No matter how responsible you breed a litter, something is bound to happen...What are the stats on at least one pup dieing in each litter? Pretty high if I remember right.
You have just got to be prepared, and that preparation, takes a long, long time.
I did not have a "responsible" breeding, it was more like a "surprise-gift" breeding from a relative close to me. ANYWAY~ my dog was healthy, had an excellent pedigree, she came from many GSC. The stud, while not having a UKC championship because the owner went the ADBA route, acceled in wp and many other phases and events in the ADBA. His pedigree was also impressive. My dog didnt have health testing done, however the stud did.
My point, the breeding was SOMEWHAT~HALFWAY there, in other words, nobody threw 2 mutts together with no history behind them.
Not one pup in Dixies litter or the studs litter when they were babies had an overbite. Never...........owners even went thru records and contacted people, not a sign, yet one pup that I have has a 1 1/2 inch over bite. Distemper???WTF did that come from???
No matter how responsible you breed a litter, something is bound to happen...What are the stats on at least one pup dieing in each litter? Pretty high if I remember right.
You have just got to be prepared, and that preparation, takes a long, long time.
