dumb breeding questions from a newbie

[wireweiners]

[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8610578]
yes, this was the case. I was trying to get a way ahead before making a bad impression on the local professionals I’d eventually be approaching.[/QUOTE]

This makes no sense. How is revealing the breed on a bulletin board aimed at horse people going to make a bad impression on local professionals who most likely aren’t on Coth. Not to mention, they’re going to figure out your a novice anyway. I’m guessing it is one of the breeds with aggression issues like Cane Corsos.

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=Marshfield;8610666]
I think you may be seriously underestimating the time involved in this. The first three weeks with mom are pretty easy, after that, it’s a minimum of an extra hour a day. And a load of laundry. Just keeping the house warm enough one year cost me an extra $300 the first month. The low number of available puppies in your breed can either help you or hurt you. You may be able to place puppies easily or you may find that there really aren’t that many folks looking. This past month has been quiet, but there are times where I spend a couple of hours a week fielding puppy inquiries and screening home. As an unknown breeder, you may find finding appropriate homes to be very tough[/QUOTE]

Yes, I had to laugh at the thought of someone who did not have time to show their bitch because of a busy horse business undertaking breeding, whelping, rearing a litter, and dealing with all the potential puppy people. I don’t think people have a clue how much time goes into all of this.

With my breed, the first three weeks are pretty much 24/7, as you cannot leave the bitch alone with the puppies due to the size disparity. With most breeds this isn’t the case, but all breeds have the worry, amazing amount of laundry, etc. the first three weeks, and then lots of additional time as the puppies get older.

I believe I recall what breed OP has due to a post quite some time ago on another thread, but will not mention it here. However, if this is the breed I think it is, here is what your parent club says re health testing:

Resolution
The XXX Club of America calls for breeding stock to be radiographed and specifies that no dog or bitch with the slightest evidence of hip dysplasia be used for breeding purposes. In keeping with this resolution, the XXX News will not accept ads from any XXXs as breeding stock that does not have an OFA number. Ads for litters of puppies will not be accepted unless the sire and dam had OFA numbers at the time of breeding. Complete OFA numbers must be sent in with each ad request and will be printed in full. OFA requirements do not apply to dogs appearing in news articles.
Instructions for OFA diagnosis may be obtained for a fee from the:
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
www.offa.org
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201-3856
(573) 442-0418

PennHip Testing
Fast facts about PennHip research
For more information about PennHip testing and expenses:
ANTECH Imaging Services
17672-B Cowan Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614 USA
Voice: 877.727.6800
Fax: 877.870.4890
http://info.antechimagingservices.com/

Resolution
The officers and board of directors of The XXX Club of America, Inc., in cognizance of their respective responsibilities to protect the breed and foster its development, do hereby condemn the breeding of dogs with serious genetic defects including: epilepsy, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Von Willebrand’s Disease, entropian and cranial muscular atrophy. (Please note: tests for PRA and Von Willebrand’s Disease are available. Please discuss this with your veterinarian.)
Resolution

And, bear in mind you could lose your beloved bitch, or spend lots of money only to end up with no puppies. You will put your heart and soul into the puppies, will follow them for the rest of their lives, take any back without question if need be.

I can’t imagine doing all this just to get puppies to sell to be someone else’s pet. There are plenty of lovely pet dogs available, including those responsibly bred in your breed, and there are a number of responsible breeders of this breed in your area. The breeders of this breed that I know compete in breed, field events, Agilty, obedience, barn hunt, etc., and usually sell puppies to others interested in these activities. They have good sized litters, generally, and the puppies are not always easy to sell, it is a very active breed and not for everyone. None that I know would consider breeding their male to a bitch with no health testing, owned by a busy horse professional who did nothing with their bitch, though I am sure she is a wonderful companion.

It can be a mistake to try to spread yourself too thin- you do have to make choices that are best for the animals in your care.

[vxf111]

So it’s a vizsla? Not particularly a rare breed or one that isn’t already well represented by dogs who are titled on both ends. Maybe I’d feel slightly differently if this was a truly rare breed-- but I think OP you’d be well served by sending your bitch to show a bit with someone experienced. In that breed, you should be able to get points without too much issue if she’s a quality dog. PLENTY of vizsla showing on this coast in larger metropolitan areas.

[EKLay]

OP, perhaps it would be worth it to you to have some breeders you can recommend to people who inquire about where you got your dog? Then you’re not having to make the time & financial commitments, but can help put them into contact with responsible breeders who could help them? Sort of the perspective of ‘see a nice horse, breed to it’s sire’ kind of thing.

My younger dog is a rare breed, but I am definitely not interested in breeding dogs, so if someone really means it (as opposed to just being nice) when they say they want one just like him, I refer them to both his breeder and the breeder of his sire.

[ElementFarm]

thank you Houndhill. Very good points

[Where_sMyWhite]

Like I said in an earlier post… breeding dogs isn’t like breeding horses

[Romany]

Plenty of viszlas around already - why not take in a middle-aged bitch who’s past her breeding prime, thus of no use to the breeder anymore, instead, and give an unwanted dog a home, ElementFarm?

Otherwise you’re going to have your hands full with a couple of foals, who’ll need constant care and handling, as well as a handful or two of puppies, assuming you can squeeze in the required training and showing of your young bitch, then sorting the wheat from the chaff when it comes to choosing the right potential sires, etc!

What’s your aim with breeding your dog? Are you planning to improve the breed, or do you just fancy being surrounded by puppies (heaven), or do you anticipate they’ll bring in an income?

[S1969]

Really I’m not sure why people are being so negative - when a person actually asks questions first, that’s a good thing.

Not everyone is blessed to get a dog from a breeder that is local, active, helpful and supportive - and brings the new owner along into the “breed” world. I’m actually fighting my national club about just this today - our parent club doesn’t seem to feel they should have a role in helping puppy buyers find reputable breeders…but the alternative is that people just find “breeders” anyway…good or bad. And even some good breeders might not be as helpful in answering all the questions a new owner might have about the breed, showing/trialing, breeding, etc. But bad breeders would be worse - by actually giving bad advice.

I think it’s great that the OP is asking questions and getting real answers. There could be a demand for a bitch just like hers; but it’s hard to know that for sure without some real “market research” and talking to breeders in and out of her breed.

And if your breed is Vizsla, I know a great handler that shows in your area - known for sporting breeds and handled a lovely Vizsla for a friend of mine to her GCH. If you want her name, PM me.

[CindyB59]

While I understand a lot of the comments regarding breeding, I will say I am “that buyer”. I want purebred, I want the required genetic testing done, I want an idea of temperaments, etc. But I do NOT want a show dog (although I’ve showed my GSD’s in obed in the past).

That said, all my dogs came from great breeders, who were actively competing their dogs and getting titles of some sort on them. My dogs have been the “pets” of the litter - and while technically were good enough to show, just wasn’t what the breeder wanted. All but one were bought with limited registration. One GSD was bought with breeding rights retained by the breeder. At 9 months old, his temperament was awful & I asked to be released from the contract to neuter him - and was given permission.

[mommy_peanut]

If I was looking for a “pet” & didn’t give a damn about if it’s parentage followed the breed standards up to & including health testing, titles, showing, etc… than I’d just get a pound puppy.
However, I am a buyer that wants my dog to be what the standard calls for. One can not get that without testing the breeding pair(parents) in whatever field the breed calls for.

[stellaroo]

Please don’t breed your dog. There are enough unwanted puppies in this world and whatever people say, it’s all about money. Just spay your dog and call it good.

[Foxtrot_s]

I don’t mind discussions, have read this thread with interest, noted everybody’s opinions, but nobody, nobody, tells me what to do with my own dog. I can make my own decisions…even if some people on a BB would disagree with me.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=stellaroo;8611637]
Please don’t breed your dog. There are enough unwanted puppies in this world and whatever people say, it’s all about money. Just spay your dog and call it good.[/QUOTE]

There are many of us who don’t want the pit bull type/hound mix/or occasional chihuahua which make up the vast majority of what is imported in to our region to fill the shelters. Very, very few people breeding health tested and titled dogs are making a profit

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8611697]
I don’t mind discussions, have read this thread with interest, noted everybody’s opinions, but nobody, nobody, tells me what to do with my own dog. I can make my own decisions…even if some people on a BB would disagree with me.[/QUOTE]

Why ask for opinions then?! OP did.

[Hannahsmom]

I personally don’t think an AKC conformation championship is the end all, be all requirement before breeding. I’ve seen a lot of dogs winning in the breed ring because of who is on the other end of the lead. What is more important to me personally is working titles. I also think one can have a lovely typey dog without the conformation title. There has been lots of very good advice given here to the OP. I’d be more interested as a potential puppy buyer in health testing and CHIC numbers and preferably working ability. For the OP I’d think hard about the advice you are hearing from seasoned breeders about the difficulty in getting truly good puppy buyers. What a heartache I have seen in certain situations.

[Mosey_2003]

The only contribution I have is that I find the term “Baby Daddy” absolutely vile… It would possibly affect my decision to buy an animal from the user of said phrase.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8611697]
I don’t mind discussions, have read this thread with interest, noted everybody’s opinions, but nobody, nobody, tells me what to do with my own dog. I can make my own decisions…even if some people on a BB would disagree with me.[/QUOTE]

Huh? Then pick up your toys and leave the sandbox.:encouragement: This thread isn’t about you.

This thread teetered on hostility, had a respectful recovery, and is full of educational and useful info being shared by people who have the ‘wet saddle blankets,’ so to speak, to substantiate their advice.

[Foxtrot_s]

^^^^ … and your post is charming. My point was that I happen to have different opinions, that’s all.

[Romany]

[QUOTE=Mosey_2003;8611922]
The only contribution I have is that I find the term “Baby Daddy” absolutely vile… It would possibly affect my decision to buy an animal from the user of said phrase.[/QUOTE]

Who said dat? I didn’t see it in this discussion?

[Romany]

[QUOTE=mommy peanut;8611568]
If I was looking for a “pet” & didn’t give a damn about if it’s parentage followed the breed standards up to & including health testing, titles, showing, etc… than I’d just get a pound puppy.
However, I am a buyer that wants my dog to be what the standard calls for. One can not get that without testing the breeding pair(parents) in whatever field the breed calls for.[/QUOTE]

Not to derail, but you’re a bit wrong there; one CAN get a dog that meets breed standards from any of the many breed-specific rescue groups. Just in case you’re looking and stumped in your search!