Dog breeding question...?

Question

This question is for all the breeders out there- Basset, Animal Artwork, etc. Please tell me how you got interested in breeding, what you did to make sure you had the correct dogs and the correct approach, how much time you spent, how much money you spent, and why you think you are a good breeder. I am trying to present a model of what needs to be done FIRST- before people throw 2 dogs together and say 'go for it.' Thanks for your time, guys!

Answer 1

Hmmm....I got my first basset hound from a relative that didn't want him any more.

When I was around 15, we went to see a dog show and I thought "My dog is as good as any of those!" So I started showing him.

Our first time at a real show was sort of embarrasing, he laid down and refused to walk. Got reserve in spite of it. I was the world's worst handler. That's when we started handling classes and obedience.

I eventually finished his championship (with a group placement!) and his CD and we were working on his CDX. Unfortunately, a short time later he escaped from the yard and drowned in a neighbor's pool.

So I called the breeder and arranged for a new one. The new pup did not turn out as a show dog, but he did get his CDX in obedience.

By this time I wanted to breed my own show dogs. I knew the breeders and they knew me. I got a reference to a breeder in Texas and after lots of back and forth they sent me a six month old girl, who was my foundation. I showed her and got her championship, and eventually bred her to one of the top bassets in Canada at the time. At the same time I purchased another girl from a well-known breeder in the Quebec.

Time from starting to show my dogs to first litter on the ground - 11 years.

During that time I learned about basset hounds, breeding, raising, training, health, nutrition, genetics etc. The learning never stops, there is always more to know. I attended classes, specialties, field trials, seminars, joined clubs, read the newsletters, magazines, books etc.

I also became a professional dog groomer, as well as doing obedience training for others and assisting at classes.

It has pretty much taken over my life, my house was selected for the dogs, my vehicle was selected for the dogs, my "free" time is devoted to doing doggy things, most of my money goes to the dogs.....

Answer 2

Breeding two dogs is a lot of work and should require lots of research ahead of time. Both parents should come from great pedigrees and good lines. If they dont they should not be bred. Both dogs should attribute the traits of the breed standard, they should not exhibit shyness or aggression this is passed on to the pups. Parents should be healthy and certain breeds need to have eyes checked, hips certified and heart checked to make sure you are not passing on bad genes to the puppies. As a good breeder you will be present with the dogs when they are bred to make sure all goes well and neither is injured in the process. The mother than needs to be well taken care of for the next 65 until the litter is born and for the two months after that. She needs to be put on a high quality puppy food and feed more frequently than normal. Durning labor you should be present as well to make sure pups are deliverd safely and mom goes through delivery well otherwise you could loose all pups or even mom during labor. The puppies need to be kept warm and dry and indoors when they are very young. Moms food again needs to be high quality and fed often while she is nursing or she may not continue to nurse her pups and you would have to take over and bottle feed every couple hours so pups are healthy. This is very expensive and time consuming. A good breeder will have puppies on a high quality food and have them dewormed three or more times before going to their new homes as well as vaccines starting at 6 to 8 weeks of age and every three weeks until they are sold. A good breeder will keep the puppies until 8 weeks of age due to health reasons and behavioral reasons. Puppies sold before then will have behavioral issues and can seriously become ill upon leaving their mom to soon. Good breeders typically have contracts that new owners sign stating that this dog is healthy and a gaurantee with it, and if it is not breeding quality that it will have to spayed or neutered. Good breeders also mention that if it does not work out then they will take the dog back it should never be passed around or given to a shelter.

Answer 3

In my revel in, the puppy breeds that are the least more likely to increase human aggression problems are the Pug, Beagle, English Bulldog, and Boston Terrier. I have not relatively visible an instance of any of the ones breeds that I could say had a significant aggression hindrance, despite the fact that I have met various fearful Beagles. Well-bred Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Pit Bulls, and Greyhounds could be correct up there as good. On the opposite hand are the breeds that are without doubt to be competitive. I have in no way had a fine revel in with a Yorkie. In reality, of the 50 or so Yorkies that I have encountered, I could say all 50 had a few type of aggression hindrance. Chow Chows, Akitas, and Chihuahuas are correct up there as good. But, I could say that probably the most competitive puppy breeds are the more than a few breeds of Terrier from Scotland, the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and Skye Terrier. Scotties and Westies in specified are very bitey puppies.

Answer 4

Truth is, I never set out to be a breeder. Most breeders I know never did. I got my breeder's education from other folks in my breed, particularly my breeder (my mentor) and other people who are in our dog club. I'm an active member in the dog clubs I belong to. Combine that with the circles I'm in at dog shows and dog events over the years, and I became better educated about it. I must admit, I still won't go at it alone, but I believe I have a good foundation in my own breed. I admit I have no clue as to evaluate breeding stock in other breeds (I'll never pretend). I don't take breeding lightly, as I believe that every breeder has a responsibility to try to make a positive contribution to his or her breed. I seldom breed because I don't think it's up to me to provide the world with more puppies. There are others who are better at it, and more committed to it than I am.

Answer 5

Hi, I got into it first by my love for dogs. I didn't know much about the 'show' world but when I developed an interest (in my early 20's) I was fortunate to find a mentor in my breed that helped me out tremendously. At this time, my dog was a pet and I soon became familiar enough with what a correct dog of the breed should be to know that mine was a pet. I showed for several years before ever considering breeding. I also quickly learned some of the sorrows and expenses of breeding. It isn't all happy healthy puppies, happy healthy mom that just pushes puppies out and gets on with feeding them. As time passed, I continued my education on my breed. I have been doing this since 1969 and I am still learning. I am aware that every breeding is a gamble so I take every precaution possible to try to have healthy puppies and a contented mother. I am breeding 'for' the show ring but also for events that suit my breed. I encourage the natural instincts and try to bring them out strongly in each of my dogs. I attend seminars, I read, I go to dog shows and watch as well as show. I listen and pump the 'experts' for information. I am on numerous email groups for my breed. I try to do my share of mentoring and educating the general public about responsible ownership.

I also do rescue of my breed and it is nearly a full time volunteer postition.

Education is ongoing, in my opinion. I love my breed and I want to see it only improve and continue on doing all the things it was meant to do.

Answer 6

I first got interested in dogs when my family moved in to a house that was next to a man that bred and field trialed Beagles. There was also an animal shelter within a block of my home. My Mentor allowed me (and I was grateful to do it) to clean his kennels, feed his dogs and took me on trials. I learned as much as I could. At age 12 he gave me my first dog. One day a friend of his pulled up and inside his car was the most beautiful female Saint. I FELL IN LOVE. I read and researched EVERYTHING I could about them. I darn near named my first son Barry.(Saint people will know why) I got my first Saint Bigalow when I was twenty five years old. He was just the nicest dog I ever owned. He wasnt the best looking but, he had spirit. He lived until he was almost twelve.
Since then I was hooked. I love the breed, their personality and just about everything there is. I am still learning and hope it never ends. As far as my mentor goes, he was a nice man a widower. He was also my best friend until his death. When I was 14 a neighbor with a dirty mind told him it didnt look good for a man who had no wife to be in the woods with a young girl. From that day on I was only invited to the trials when others were around. He cried as he told me I could no longer go. So did I. I still went over and helped in the kennels and we used to sit on the back porch and drink lemonade. It was never the same again. As he laid dying of cancer he called for me to come. He told me he loved me like his own daughter. I was twenty two at the time. He taught me more about dogs without me even knowing it. He was a very common sense man. No frills, no BS just the facts. I still miss him.

Sorry I got carried away. Thanks for bringing back old memories.

Answer 7

You wrote: "I am trying to present a model of what needs to be done FIRST ... "

Tony comments:
The first thing anyone wishing to responsibly breed dogs must do is become 100% knowledgeable about the breed standard. Without a working knowledge of that, responsible breeding can not even begin to be qualified.

Why?

Because the would-be breeder can't qualify his/her broodstock without it.

Answer 8

Guess I'm the ect. part! LOL
I grew up in a dog showing and breeding family. My parents showed and bred toy poodles. My Aunt showed and bred Smooth coated collies.
The first time I had any real exposure to Golden's was at a dog show in Albany N.Y. that my Aunt took me too. I saw what I thought was the most beautiful dog I'd ever seen and was just taken by his look and his demeanor in the show ring. My Aunt arranged for me to meet the owners and handler. I talked their ears off and wanted to know everything. I was 15 or 16 years old. Since that day I was totally taken with the breed and went on a mission to learn everything I could and to meet everyone I could who had these beautiful dogs. I even kept notebooks full of things other owners and handlers told me about them. I went off to college and took many animal husbandry classes, which really didnt help with dogs but it did give me real knowledge into animals and genitics. One of my professors knew of my love of Golden's so he introduced me to a wonder woman who was a breeder and showed her Goldens. I alos had a ton of note books from that experience too. I worked at her kennels durring summer breaks.
Upon Graduation from college my Aunt presented me wioth the most beautiful pupwho was the great, great grandson of the first Golden That I had every seen. I was thrilled! I raised him and by this time I had my mentor righ there for me. I showed Casey and then when on to CH him and then after a careful search we went looking for a female. It took a long time to find her. 3years after I found her and showed her then I was ready to breed my first litter. The pups were out standing. The first male pup I presented to my Uncle (my Aunts husband) as a thankyou gift. My Uncle was a hunter and I always promised him if I ever bred he had the best male in the litter for him to hunt with. He was thrilled and always told me that he was the best damn hunting dog he had ever had!

From that point on I continued to show my goldens and I also did breeding. I decided to really constrated on breeding fine quality Golden from that point on. Always keeping in mind everything everyone told/taught me and to never breed just because you can.
I bred Golden's for 27 years and I am very proud of each pup I produced and each dog I had.
I still own this wonderful breed and I can never see myself with one or more Golden's in my home or life.

Oh my mentor was named Heidi Swenson. She's the lady I worked each summer for in her kennels. I miss her very much.

I may be adding to the number very soon. LOL I'll keep you posted ok.