To all reputable breeders: when to start breeding?

tranquility · 06-20-2008, 02:53 AM

I was just surfing this forum and it's sad to read about all those horrible stories in the Rescue section. I can't believe that so many fit and healthy animals are needlessly put through such extreme stress of being dumped at the shelther and/or PTS.

I am wondering what steps are being done by reputable breeders to avoid adding to this tragedy? Do you only breed when you have more than enough deposits and committed/approved buyers? Do you keep all the unsold puppies? I know you all screen, which is great. Just trying to learn more. Thanks.

**dobermansrule** · 06-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Reputable breeders in theory should not initiate a breeding based on 'consumer' interest or having buyer deposits in hand. A good breeding is planned well in advance, with a goal in mind. Hopefully one of those goals is to improve their particular lines and to improve on the breed in general. Sometimes breedings happen strategically to add to the breeder's show/breeding stock or working stock - again breeding with a purpose that does not include how much moola I can make on this deal. A reputable breeder will breed with no profit motive. Covering costs is nice but money is not the driver. And, a reputable breeder will and can make the decision to not breed at all no matter what the itch for babies. Reputable breeders will realize shortcomings in their own lines, their own dogs/bitches and will neuter/spay rather than breed in faults that will propagate into future generations. Reputable breeders all do help by screening their buyers very thoroughly and ensuring the puppies do not go to just any home or to anyone that can write a check and fog a mirror. So that's my view of reputable breeding (disclaimer: I am not a breeder just a humble owner)

MaryAndDobes · 06-20-2008, 09:29 AM

1) Breed sparingly when you believe that you really have something to offer the breed via conformation, health, temperament, longevity, performance ability, etc.

2) Screen well.

3) Have a contract that any puppies that can't be kept for any reason are to be returned. Period.

4) Keep in touch with the puppy owners. This is vital to ensuring that #3 would happen if necessary. People don't return puppies to breeders that don't keep in touch and seemingly don't care and who they barely remember.

5) Volunteer with rescue. My personal mandate when I started helping with rescue was to help rescue as many Dobermans as I personally produce. I've helped to place far more than I've ever produced. It keeps me aware of how many need rescuing in my area, who isn't being responsible about placement and taking back their puppies, and if by some strange circumstance one of my own came in, here I am.

6) Spay/neuter pet puppies before they ever leave. Show puppies are co-owned, on non-breeding contracts, and have a contract stipulating how/when it could be lifted in the future.

tranquility · 06-20-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryAndDobes

6) Spay/neuter pet puppies before they ever leave. Show puppies are co-owned, on non-breeding contracts, and have a contract stipulating how/when it could be lifted in the future.

Do you mean have a neuter contract to sterilise later on? Surely they aren't sterilised upon reaching 8 weeks? : puzzled :

**dobermansrule** · 06-20-2008, 10:09 AM

a lot of breeders contracts for 'pet' puppy placements do require neutering/spaying "as soon as possible" but usually by 6 months. And a lot of the better contracts will have financial penalties that are actionable.

tranquility · 06-20-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobiesrule

a lot of breeders contracts for 'pet' puppy placements do require neutering/spaying "as soon as possible" but usually by 6 months. And a lot of the better contracts will have financial penalties that are actionable.

There does not seem to be a consensus but isn't 6 months a bit early? I heard something like 12-18? Someone on this board even left his until 3 years. : confused :

**dobermansrule** · 06-20-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

There does not seem to be a consensus but isn't 6 months a bit early? I heard something like 12-18? Someone on this board even left his until 3 years. : confused :

it depends on the breeder and the contract. Our breeder's pet puppy contract requires neuter/spay asap but no later than six months. Buyers that get puppies without contracts obviously can do what they want. Buyers with contracts can still do what they want, but some breeders are very diligent about enforcing the contract, and it is enforceable. When the breeders place pet puppies they don't want any chance of that puppy being bred - it was placed as a pet puppy for a reason.

MaryAndDobes · 06-20-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Do you mean have a neuter contract to sterilise later on? Surely they aren't sterilised upon reaching 8 weeks? : puzzled :

Since 2002, my pet puppies have been spayed/neutered when they are cropped at 9 weeks before they ever leave my home. There are pros and cons (google juvenile altering - there are tons of sites on it), but since I firmly believe in not adding to the pet overpopulation and numbers in rescue, this is what I do. That, to me, is much more important than whether a dog grows to be one or two inches taller. The puppies I've had done haven't grown any taller than their ancestors anyway.

rainddobes · 06-20-2008, 04:07 PM

I have not bred a litter of Doberman pups for over 25 years, but I have bred Italian Greyhounds.
Before any puppy leaves for their new home they are either spayed or neutered and micro chipped.
We will not sell any Italian Greyhounds with the possibility of mone getting pregnant.

**MIA** · 06-20-2008, 04:10 PM

MaryAndDobes & rainddobes we need MORE like you!!!!! That is the ONLY way to protect your lines, your dogs and to guarantee your pups will not be bred, I LOVE IT. Bless you two!!!