Ok, I/you want to breed my....?

I really, honest to God don't remember where I actually "started". All I know is I wanted a sheltie since i was five years old because my neighbor had a beautiful tri male, and he'd come over to visit my farm frequently. My own family's collie was pretty old, and this "little collie" would play with me, and follow me everywhere. But his owner decided to fence him in, and that all ended. I offered to buy that dog iwth my allowance, but my mother wasn't to amenable to it, not that I think they'd have sold me Bandit for $1.16, even back then.

My education grew as a result of buying dog books with my allowance, and by th time I was nine, I had a large collection of breed identifiation, training, and story books about dogs, including the series aobut the Sunnybank collies.

As a shelter volunteer, then employee, I learned about the difference between responsible and irresponsible breeders and owners. That was a harsh lesson, but I am very glad to have had it. That made me sit back and really THINK about what it means to bring animals into this world. It makes me work extra hard planning and placing each litter.

When I finally had the time and money to get a show dog, of course I still wanted my sheltie. Up to that point I had only a couple of mutts from the shelter, or foster dogs. I searched for a blue merle male, which I had seen after attending my first few shows as a spectator. And I fell in love with a little sable and white female. LOL After a little discussion, some begging on my part, and a home check, that breeder let me buy her. This lady introduced me to fellow breeders and gave me tons of information and support. God rest you, Connie. I was helped, taught, and mentored by so many helpful, kind people. They taught me about genetic testing, interretation of the breed standard, and the need to give back what you are getting from others.

In all honesty, most of the whelping care and pre- and post-natal care, was stuff I learned in college to become a vet tech, but there are many breed specific tricks and knowledge my mentors imparted that I didn't learn there.

If I were a total newbie trying to breed my dog, I would probably have started with the books. Knowing me, I would have still wanted the best, and I would have gone to shows to look. There I hope I would have met the same people I met there. The best teacher is one that has been doing what they tach and doing it well. So I'd say the mentor is the most valuable asset any potential breeder can have.

ADDED: For Animal Artworks, here's the classic:

1. Contact a breed club for your breed. Ask for a mentor.

2. STUDY the breed standard. Learn about dog anatomy and ask your mentor to

clarify anything you don't understand.

3. Learn what genetic faults and diseases run in your breed and test for any

that can be tested for.

4. Show your dog in conformation events to see if it is of the proper

quality for breeding. Winning doesn't always mean a dog is breeding quality,

but being around so many others that know your breed and will talk to you

will do wonders for your self-education efforts!

5. Study the past history of great dogs in your breed. You will see how your

breed has improved and progressed since the beginning of the breed.

6. Study the breed standard some more! ;-)

7. Join any Yahoo groups about your breed.

8. Live, dream and study your breed.

9. Get a good book on canine reproduction, and educate yourself about the

pitfalls, problems, and proud moments of breeding. Learn about the

physiology of reproduction, such as heat cycles and venereal diseases in

dogs, potential for problems specific to your breed, and what you need to

expect at whelping.

10. Remember that whelping (giving birth) can kill your female. Being used

as a stud dog can encourage bad behaviors common in intact males such as

territorial marking, aggression, and desire to roam from home.

11. Prepare to be broke. Breeding properly is EXPENSIVE.

12. Line up potential homes for any puppies you produce and write up a

contract. Remember to include that you will be willing to take back your

puppies at any time in their lives that they might need you. If you bring

life into this world, it is your responsibility FOREVER.

13. Prepare to spend sleepless nights attending whelping females, caring for

fading puppies or puppies orphaned, and practice cleaning up after 24/7 poop

machines.

I'm sure there are many things I missed because being a responsible breeder

isn't just a job. It's a way of life. You will live dogs. 24/7/365. There

are lots of hard decisions. There is a lot of expense. There will be pain.

But, if you do your darndest to always keep the welfare of your dogs and the

future of any of their offspring, you can go to step 14.

14. Enjoy the love and success of a job well done.

Well, let's see.....

First I'd put a photo ad in the doggie personals column looking for that special guy.

Whilst that's going on, I'd take Sophie to the doggie salon and have her nails done, shaving or waxing is a must. Probably waxing since that leaves a much smoother skin, which "Mr. Dog" will appreciate. Oh, yes, and have her teeth cleaned. A good smile will win 'em over every time.

By now, I'd have a line up of prospective "dates" for Sophie. So, being the proper match maker that I am, I'd go interview the dogs without Sophie to find that special man. After all, I know what's good for her.

Then, once "Mr. Dog" is found, I'd set a date with his owner. Then off to the store I go.... wine, candles, & gourmet dog treats are a must to set the mood. There's also booking that special location for the event needs to be done.

Then, there's "the date!". Stand back and watch the romance! Hopefully "Mr. Dog" will not call in the morning after this special event.

Sorry Cindy..... I'm incapable of being serious!

I had deja vu while reading this question(no joke, seriously).

The way for a breeder to start is by first figuring out which breed they want to breed. Then they get a mentor on that breed, and read and research as much about the breed as possible. They also have to learn about how dogs give birth, and the complications that can arise.

Next it's time for them to get a b*tch. They must go to dog shows, or buy from a breeder and see if the pup grows and is within the breed standards. Then they need a stud, and they have to make sure both the stud and the b*tch are healthy, and have clear family histories.

All of these things should be written down, mind you.

Then an actual breeding or artificial insemination must take place, and while the b*tch is pregnant she must be constantly checked by a vet.

There's tons more that goes into it, and I could go on forever. Someone who wants to breed needs to get a book on breeding. Actually, a whole library.

{{...*Spontania*...}}

Well I can see you already know the answer!

Lots of people are stupid, let me tell you I started looking into it and to do it right there is no way I want to invest my time into that. I would love to help bring my breed of choice (German shepherd) back up to the standard they were meant to be but I will have to do it by raising training and maybe even getting some sort of working title with my pup. No way am I going to deal with all of that. A good breeder shows and or works their dogs along with breeding or pays someone to handle their dogs. They also spend a lot of time researching and understanding the science of breeding a quality well rounded dog. It would take years of mentoring just to get to the point I would feel comfortable breeding a dog. Who knows maybe after finally becoming a good dog handler oh say when I am 80 (30) now ........

Just kidding I will be too old then

The average breeder on this forum would simply leave their unspayed b*tch out of doors and there would be an "accidental" litter. Or they would "rescue" a pregnant b*tch (yes, I know some actually do rescue but seriously there are a lot of backyard breeders suddenly rescuing pregnant dogs!).

Now... as for you, a normal smart dog lover would know not to breed a dog that wasn't registered... let alone one that has the physical issues she has. But yeah, she's pretty and yellow so you probably would end up with some chocolate and yellow pups if you picked the right stud.. which would probably be the only thought put into breeding her by most idiots.

I'm hoping Jennifer T adds her "so you want to breed your dog" list so I don't have to write it out!!

If you're going to do this the right way Cindy, at least use the correct terminology. It's "unspaded".

And prettiness is only the next best reason to bread your dog--hopefully your dog wants to "experience the joy of having babies!" Right ?........

After that, you don't really have to do anything. Wait a few months, then ask the really important questions on Yahoo Answers.

Seriously, I wouldn't know where to begin. I'd probably start with reading as many books as I could. Then talk to my dog's breeder, ask her where to begin and what to do. But knowing even the very little I know now, I would never undertake breeding my dog. (Besides, she's already...spaded.)

Add: to "Just as I am"--yes, we all did see her girl was already spayed. It's a partly tongue-in-cheek, partly serious question.

sadly, besides the 5 dumped labs i have here, i ran into a "breeder" of labs today. she's expecting 13 and has no clue what she's going to do. first thing out of my mouth, "have you considered spaying her?" and i proceeded to tell her about this group. she said if she can't find good homes for them, she'll keep them. she lives in a very run down single wide trailer with maybe 1/2 an acre and a single kennel (10 x 12). i want to see if she'll actually keep 13 puppies.

and don't you mean "bread" her? if you do, i'll un-neuter one of my boys and they can live in the woods happily ever after.

i know i went off subject (i'm not a breeder of any sort), but this is what i'll tell the next wanna be breeder of any kind.

First of they need to know the difference between male and female.I don't haf't draw pictures do I?

Then they need to know all that birds and bees technical stuff.

Then there is the matter of creating the "mood" you know candle, tbones, chilled beef flavored water, pigs ears gently layed on silk sheets.

Now depending on the age of the "boy" dog you just might have to get some of those doggy viagra. Usual warnings apply like the 4 hour issue.

Now since your lady has several health issue you will probably want to watch her. You ol' voyerer. Please give them some privacy use those one way mirrors.

Then after the deed is done you have nothing else to worry about except buying cigars and putting adds in the paper. You know they are just dogs and they can make money so who cares.

I would say don't breed !!

I would say "You really had to ask this question"?

I would say 'Have you seen the statistic's on how many dogs are killed a yr'?

I woulds say 'With everyone accross the nation losing thier homes and dumping pets in alleys and shelters just lining them up just to kill them..breeders killing pups they can't sell?

Most vets won't and can't un-spay a pet. If they are a good Dr they would probably call you an ..idiot!

I would tell that person that breeding her cause she is pretty but with all those medical issues is bad business.

I really hope your joking...

See this is the reason I don't want to breed.

I have no idea where to begin (except starting with a mentor and researching)

Maybe if I take one Female and one male - dim the lights and put on a slooow song and then wait for 63 days I'll have some great puppies ;)

Be glad world that I'm not breeding./

ADD- I agree with Rachel, if one can't spell the name of their breed obviously they should not even think about breeding, let alone going through with it!