This woman lives in my neighbourhood and I come across her often in our municipal dog park. She has a female Shetland that she bread once and all the puppies died. A month ago she got her own Shetland male who's about 12 weeks old now and she wants to breed her female again next year with that male. Her female is a sweet dog but she is too small, too delicate and her nose too narrow to be a good representation of the breed. Each time she talks to me I feel the urge of telling her how she doesn't know what she is doing in so many department....specially when she was bringing along the 9 week old male to the dog park with her!
2007-11-22 11:38:49 · 12 answers · asked by Jane Marple 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
As many people have found out when they have told someone point blank that they shouldn't breed, the people being told get VERY defensive and can get argumentative which can progress to hateful and vengeful. In order to avoid that, you might want to start out slowly by asking if she has ever lived with an intact male in the house before. And if she has ever lived with a male dog that has been used at stud - that opens the door for a conversation on the male dog possibly becoming overly affectionate to anything that walks :), he will definitely be trying to escape any time a female comes in season with a mile of the house as that scent travels a looooonnnnggg distance, and he will (I can darn near guarantee this) lose all house manners a few weeks before the female comes in season and while she is in season. Not a pleasant situation to live with - I know! And the male is just being a dog - you can not blame him although we like to do so.
Also, since this particular female lost all the puppies the first time, if she didn't find out the reason it very well may happen again.
Be very careful how you approach her on this if you wish it be a friendly and productive conversation. Being a Breeder Referral contact for my local breed club, people take offense very easily but many can be talked out of something we consider *bad form*.
Good luck.
2007-11-22 11:58:26 · answer #1 · answered by CINDI T 2 · 7⤊ 1⤋
If asked, I'd help her as best I could. If a Shetland can herd and is healthy, then whether or not it can win a beauty contest is immaterial. For any working dog, the primary factor is ability to work (which includes health). If that help meant recommending finding a better female, then that is what it would be.
2007-11-22 20:35:46 · answer #2 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She's a typical backyard breeder. According to your description, the female is a pet sheltie. Also, if she's a good breeder, she will spay or not to breed that female since she's not a good producer. If she's saying something to you next time about breeding her female, maybe you should advise to have her female tested for hip (OFA certified), VWD, thyroid and eye certified prior to breeding that poor sheltie and ask whether the female so exceptional to the breed standard.
2007-11-22 20:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Wild Ginger 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well...what I believe is not a lot of people should breed. There is too many dogs without homes that had gotton abandoned from their owners. If she wanted to breed really bad; I would tell her that, "You might need a new Female to breed." Don't tell her you think her dog isn't a good representation of the breed. She might get offended.
2007-11-22 19:46:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
You betcha I would say something, and I have in similar situations. I would ask her why she felt breeding her dog was a good idea and would proceed to tell her how I felt about it. That way, if something goes wrong, I don't feel guilty. How many people breed their dogs not because they are horrible people but just because they are misinformed?
2007-11-22 19:48:00 · answer #5 · answered by Shanna 7 · 7⤊ 4⤋
I'd probably say something if the subject came up about dogs. If I saw her with a 9 week old at a dog park I would definately say something
2007-11-22 19:42:21 · answer #6 · answered by kittenslayer 5 · 5⤊ 5⤋
i would say something people wont by the puppies and if they were all to die again that would be sad and mean to the mother.
2007-11-22 20:31:57 · answer #7 · answered by Manda B 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
i would say somthin for the puppies sake you gotta do somthin
2007-11-22 20:24:48 · answer #8 · answered by vmpbateater97 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would most definately say something...she is a BYB and breeding unethically...I would also contact the AKC and see what they say...assuming her dogs are AKC registered...
2007-11-22 19:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by Jamie J 3 · 8⤊ 6⤋
yes i would say something. i would ask her about genetic screenings, health screenings, hip, eye, elbow certifications, what titles her dog has acquired, who her dogs are registered with, etc.
if she cant answer any of these questions with acceptable answers i would tell her she is clueless and has no business breeding.
2007-11-22 19:44:11 · answer #10 · answered by bob © 7 · 7⤊ 7⤋