Why do you breed dogs?

I breed dogs because I love to show in conformation. I enjoy the competition and the people I meet at the shows. I breed ONLY to get my next show prospect, which means about every 2 to 3 years.

And you're right, it is "buckets of time and money". This is my hobby and my passion. There have been a few setbacks along the way but I'm very proud of the quality I've produced, and that includes health and temperament as well as physical beauty. My dogs have done a lot of winning in the show ring, and I do my best to sell pups to homes that will treat them properly as members of the family. Doesn't always work out, but I've had to take back only a handful to re-home, and 2 of those were because the owners died.

If responsible breeders don't keep breeding, all that will be left are the irresponsible ones. That's not an acceptable option.

I don't breed dogs & never have. I do not have the money to buy a dog worthy of being bred & I will not be a stupid ignorant BYBers selling crap to people who don't know the difference.

The only reason I would breed is because there was a clause in the contract from a reputable breeder that the breeder had breeding rights for the dog I would buy. The puppies would not me mine & I would not want a puppy. I just want to have a quality dog someday but right now it is just a dream.

I don't breed. Breeders I respect breed because they have dogs worth making more of - not generic shelter mutt great pet dogs, but dogs that are physically and mentally something exceptional that you just can't find outside of a great breeding program. Dogs that literally can trot all day without an ounce of extra exertion or wear-and-tear on joints because they are built that well. Dogs that are born and bred to work and to love their work and to do their work flawlessly.

While even the myth that "there are too many dogs in the US" might be allowable, no one really believes that there are too many well-bred, exceptional dogs in the world. We need more exceptional dogs, a shelter mutt can be a great pet and bring a lot of joy, but no one who knows what they are talking about thinks that they are objectively "better."

I retired from breeding many years ago. But I did breed AKC German Shepherds for many years. For me is was a labor (HEAVY on the labor) of love for the breed. I know for me, and most breeders who show their stock, it is all about constantly striving for that perfect specimen of your breed, and promoting your breed in every way you can. My professional and social life surrounded showing, breeding and training dogs and I LOVED every minute of it. You have to, or you wouldn't subject yourself to the work and dedication that is involved in running a successful kennel. I was as proud of my dogs as I was of my kids! And, it is NOT about making money (especially when you are starting out). If you are successful, you can also make a decent living, but that is incidental to the real reason for breeding. Risks? - Sure! Life is full of risks. Sometimes they pay off sometimes not - but that is life.

If I had it to do all over again (just getting too old for the hectic life), there isn't much I would change. Again, I loved the life and I loved (still do) the breed - that's why I did what I did. Nothing more beautiful than a well-put together GSD strutting his stuff out in the ring or proving his metal out in the field!

I dont breed dogs

But there are good breeders and bad breeders

Bad breeders consist of backyard breeders, designer dog breeders, and puppy mills

Good show breeders try and focus on maintaining to their chosen breeds standard in how they should look as well as temperament and genetic health

Good working dog breeders try and focus producing puppies with drive and love for the job that the owner is wanting them to do

Police dogs, Personal protection dogs, seeing eye dogs etc etc can very rarely if not never ever be found in shelters

I don't breed dogs. I work with a rescue and pull dogs from the shelter to help them on their way to a forever home.

It is also buckets of money and time.

.... but more reward than you can imagine when dogs get adopted.

Because we consistently produce some of the best working dogs in the world...and there is high demand for them. No....we don't go prance around a show ring, as there is no German Shepherd conformation shows. There are shows for the show dogs that use the name German Shepherd. Might as well show up with a rollerblade at a Camaro show. Kinda pointless. All dogs meet the standard (the ENTIRE standard), but are not "stylish" or "fashionable".

I don't breed dogs myself but chances are that people who do breed to make the breed better. They care about the breed much like people who volunteer oodles of their time to run a breed specific rescue.

no there is no money in breeding dogs. been breeding Chihuahuas for almost 18 years. broke even only 2 times ...the reward is just the love of the breed.... oh and all the love I get in return cuddle up on my lazy boy with me

It keeps the breed going. Some pups sell for around $1,000 each too. It feels productive much like taking care of a garden or other things like that.