Tayl

Hi everyone, not sure if this is exactly the right place to post but it's about breeding
Anyways I am curious how you got into breeding. For the last few years I've been contemplating breeding in the future (when I'm stable and have a steady income). I love genetics and if I could find a purpose/job for a new breed I would love to create one or at least start the creation (not doodles! I personally think there are way to many designer dogs out there and as many times as you tell people they have an expensive mutt they just don't listen. And they can never be recognized as a breed because there is no standard and I think I read that a new breed cannot have the names of the breeds that it was created from in the new name, so doodles are screwed.) Mini rant over
So I am curious how it all started. For me right now I have very little knowledge of conformation or any showing aspects really, I'd love to learn but how? Go to shows and adsorb knowledge? get a mentor, read books?
When I start my new program in January there will be a class that focuses on genetics and breeding and I'm really excited because before I make plans I want to know that I can do it and want to do it in the future, but I feel like for me the best way to learn is hands on.
I am not sure whether I want to breed dogs, I think I'm leaning towards cats, but I imagine the learning principles are the same and what you want to avoid so you don't become a BYB.
I'm just trying to figure out my future and animals will always be apart of it whether I breed or not, but I love the idea of bettering a breed with selective genetics and seeing what is produced from the blending of the genetics.
Well that was longer then anticipated but I would love to hear everyone's stories.
Thanks
Tayler

EmilyB

Show a few to championship first and talk to the people around you perhaps?

Tayl

That would make sense, how do you learn showing though? I know basically nothing. Is it pretty easy to pick up if you go and watch dog shows?


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avianantics

Attend shows and find a breeder that is willing to mentor you and ultimately co-own a show puppy with you. There are a number of good breeders in Ontario. Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada.

You can find information on dog shows in your area here; Canuck Dogs

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Shelly Wing
AKC GCH/UKC CH Lyndobe's Wheel of Fortune, "Wheeler"
AKC Ptd Lyndobe's Loquacious Charm, "Lola"

Tayl

Awesome thanks


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workingk9s

I am more of a sport person, but I would think the same can be applied to either type...

1. Learn about the breed and meet some in person.

2. Get one and title it in the venue of choice (conformation or sport).

3. Health test for known genetic diseases.

4. Find a mentor that is willing to help you.

5. Find a suitable match.

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Tayl

I think I would do more sports, but I want to learn as much as possible about everything.
Thank you that seems pretty straight forward.

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Fitzmar Dobermans

1. you become an owner, and eventually decide that you'd like to actually do something with your dog beyond just having a pet (nothing wrong with just having a pet).

2. You start doing stuff with your dog - for me it was training in obedience. I then had two children and took a long break from being anything more than a pet owner. I was able to dabble in Doberman Rescue while my kids were small and this is where I learned what I DID NOT want to be! Being involved in rescue was really key in my early years of learning about this breed.

3. You decide that you want to get involved in a more meaningful way. For me, I bought my first co-owned show dog & joined the local Doberman club. At this point, I'd been a Doberman owner for 10 years, had been involved in rescue for a couple of years, and had done therapy dog work with a rescued Greyhound.

4. You get to know truly experienced breed people and start mentoring with them at meetings, dog shows, long conversations, and emails. At this point, I joined the DPCA and became an officer in my local club. You actually start to be able to contribute to the education of others - giving back to the breed is very important.

5. You finally get that breed quality bitch and after finishing her championship, doing all the health testing, and agonizing over finding a good match for her...... all with the help of a long established mentor, you breed your first litter. For many, one litter is the most they will ever do. They find that it is WAY more cost, work, and emotion than is worth it. Buying a show puppy is WAAAAYYYYYY cheaper than breeding one.

6. Breeding the litter is one thing - NOW you are responsible for not just your dog, but the puppies you produced. The responsibility does not end when the buyer walks out your door with a puppy of your breeding..... it has just begun! After 20 years, I am now mentoring some of my owners with their first show dogs...... but I sure still consider myself in the learning stage.... not sure I will ever get past the learning stage as there is just too much to know. A milestone for me was an invite to judge sweepstakes for a specialty club next spring - an honor that I don't take lightly.

This is a condensed version of course, but I hope it gives you an idea of the amount of time and commitment it takes to become a responsible breeder. We don't start out as bybers and progress to responsible. It takes years and a village to make a good breeder!

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CH Cha-Rish A Moment Like This RN WAC CGC "Louise"
AKC GRCH/UKC CH Fitzmar's Command A Minute CGC "Harvard"
Fitzmar's Victory Hop Devil "Jezebel"

Shell81

I have a lot of respect for a good, responsible TRUE breeder (not BYBs and greeders). Being a tech I have treated puppies from all kinds of breeders. The closest I have come to the breeding world was my last boy. I co-owned him with his breeder (one of the most reputable Labrador breeders in Ontario). He was titled, health tested, all of it, but I had nothing to do with the breeding side. His breeder handled that, otherwise he was just our pet. His breeder is a great friend of mine, and you could call him my mentor when it came to Labradors. Seeing how much time, money, effort, patience and dedication went into his breeding and dogs was admirable, but also made me realize that only a handful of people are cut out to be true breeders, and I am not one of them. I will stick to having well trained pets, and doing obedience and agility.

Tayl

Thank you so much! I know it would be a lot of work which is why I want as much information and hands on experience as possible. I think everyone always has something to learn, and I'm definitely no exception.
Well it's a long ways off for me at this point in time, I won't attempt to get another dog till Rowan's older and I'm in a more secure way of life. If I can raise a show dog and enjoy it and want to continue then at least I'll have a starting point I'm in no rush

Tayl

That might be exactly what happens to me, which is why I want to learn and see as much as possible, so that if that time ever comes I can make a decision that I won't regret or harm a breed