Breeders--what really inspired you to start breeding dogs?

Question

You guys are great! I've sort of got the breeding bug now, I think I might start doing some research. I worked at vets' offices and kennels on and off in high school and college and that taught me plenty, but some of you answerers, especially the active breeders, are really teaching me a lot through your answers--so thanks!

Knew I could count on you for a good one, Not a Black St. B. LOL I didn't just wake up and want to do it, it's always been in my mind, but seemed sort of impossible to me somehow.

Answer 1

I started by owning my breed (Cavaliers) and then fell in love with the breed. Their temperament and their cute facial expressions etc I couldn't help but love them

So I joined my local Cavalier club and started showing, then ended up addicted to showing! I wanted to breed my own show dogs and see my own pups gain their championships etc. It's never quite the same when it's one of your pups as when it's someone else's that you've bought.

The cavalier breed was originally bred by crossing the King Charles spaniel with other spaniels and it maddens the h*ll out of me when people confuse the two breeds, or even worse think they're the same thing. This problems made worse by the fact that you can still see a lot of the King Charles in some Cavaliers and I wanted to help breed this out.

Answer 2

It started for me with a toy Poodle named Pepi. Came home one day and he had chewed a one foot square patch out of the middle of my kitchen linoleum. Off to obedience class we went. He excelled in Novice, so I took him all the way through Open and Utility...and again he exclled all the way taking me to several California Top Dog competitions in obedience. I was hooked on dog shows and competition.

Natually, since I owned a poodle I gravitated to the poodle rings, watching conformation judging. I fell in love with the Standard Poodle. Back in the 1970's, standard poodles were barely taller than miniatures. I thought they should be taller, more elegant , better bone and with better movement. I started researching the breed. Having been around dog shows for a few years in was easy to find mentors to share my vision with; and to seek advice and guidance from.

The next step was purchasing the best foundation Bi ch I could find. And believe me, spend until it hurts... but get the best you can find; it DOES make a difference. Competition was (is) always stiff in the standard ring with all the grooming, etc; and it usually took quite some time finish a championship

I entered my girl in four shows when she was eight months old. One week-end; four, four point majors and it was all over. We came home with a new Champion.

Some very selective breeding (three litters) in the early eighties and I could see my vision of a tall, elegant, great moving dog in the ring. Prior to this you rarely saw a good sized standard doing any winning. Her babies did very well in the ring. And I could see the tide turn with many other breeders also bringing height and elegance into their lines.

I'm not saying that I started a revolution in standards; I was just a "speck" on the horizon. But it was nice to see some of the larger, better know breeders redouble their efforts along the same lines.

Best advice to you...find a mentor. Find many mentors before you get your feet wet. Go to the shows. Work for the breeder/handlers and learn!


The day after I lost my foundation *****; I had already committed to a specialty show. Crying my eyes out I went to the show. I came home with Winners Dog, Winners *****, Best of Breed and High in Trial. A day I will never forget!! ALL her babies came through that day! I know she was pulling some strings and she managed to put a smile on my face and in my heart. Can't ask for more than that.

Answer 3

What started most of us actually breeding was the desire for a dog with certain qualities. It is easier on many levels to breed your own. You can pick what you want and do not have to wait for someone else to hopefully breed what you want. Most of us did not wake up and say we want to breed. It just progressed to that. After showing and working titles, it was the next step.
Most of us stared "in dogs" with a pet quality pup of our breed of choice.

Really, if you start with a dog and do some titles, the rest just comes naturally!!!!!!! At least if you are really "into" dogs.

Answer 4

Being a registered breeder meant to me that I can breed pedigree dogs are are both good natured and have good conformation. My mum used to breed show dogs and I guess I got the bug from her, I was brought up with breeding pedigree dogs and I dont think I could live without it. I have seen some really awesome dogs in my time and there really is some nice talented dogs and breeders out there.

Answer 5

I started out by showing my Basset Hounds, first in conformation and then in obedience. I fell in love with the breed, and with competing. Eventually I wanted to produce my own show dogs and contribute to the breed.

There is nothing like winning with a dog that you have bred, owned, groomed, trained and handled yourself.

Answer 6

For Dog Breeders, I would recommend

http://www.buysellpuppies.com

Answer 7

I owned chihuahuas over 20 yr before I decided to start breeding them. I know just about everything there is to know about them. I think it was a natural progression to breeding. Foremost is my love of the breed.

Answer 8

why dont you work at a shelter and see what breeders can do not to find homes for those dogs and end up dying. yeah breeders are great!!

Answer 9

for the expirence of raising a pup. my doghad only 1 so we kept her she is now 3 months old i love her!!!!