- The only reason to be
breeding purebred dogs is to
preserve the best qualities of
the breed. Breeding to supply
any market is not a
justification.
- You need to do all of your
breeding with the best interests
of the breed in mind. Never your
pocket book.
- For this you need to be a
serious student of the breed and
devote years of your life to it.
No "in one day, out the other".
- As a beginner you need to
engross yourself in the breed as
much as possible and ideally
find a suitable mentor.
- In order to be a serious
breeder, you must show and
compete.
- You need to keep track of
all puppies you produce, whether
pet or show, to know how your
breeding program is working.
- All pet dogs need to go on a
spay/neuter contract.
- All show puppies need to go
on a contract that will not
allow breeding unless the dog
lives up to the quality intended
and passes all health checks and
certification necessary for that
breed. If a prospective breeder
does not want to do this, then I
am sorry but they will have to
mess with someone else's dogs
not mine!!
Co-ownerships allow you a
certain amount of control in
this regard because they require
your signature in order that
puppies be registered. The
latest news from the AKC is that
there is a pending change to the
rules that will not allow
registration unless all papers
are properly signed. If you have
a difference with your co-owner
it will need to be settled in
court before the AKC will
register litters or puppies.
This is new and still pending,
but a step in the right
direction.
- Every breeder owes to the
breed and to themselves to be
involved with rescue.
- Every breeder should be
prepared to take any dog back
for whatever reason. If they do
not have the space, then they
need to be prepared to make
other arrangements. But take
back they must!
In my ideal world one could not
sell dogs. They would only be able
to be given as cherished gifts to
deserving individuals. This would
eliminate the whole pet mill and
back-yard breeding industry as they
could not make any money. Of course
since this world is not the way I
envision it as regards dogs, we have
to work within the system. So I do
charge for puppies and I charge what
I think is fair for the time and
effort I have put into it. It is
certainly not enough to cover all of
the expenses. If someone cannot or
will not pay my price then let them
go somewhere else or take on a
rescue. There is nothing wrong with
paying a lower price and certainly
very noble to rescue. Well I will
now get off of my soap box :)
Dr.Sophia
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