I disagree, the top showers breed regularly and produce a constant stream of animals, if one doesnt cut it, they rehome it, inside 12 months, usually 6 they have one to replace it. This is why you have "top" breeders, they are also those that breed a lot too.

there are hundreds of timid tempered dogs or dogs that "dont like showing" that will never see a ring but will certainly be bred from.

In short, yes.

Coming from someone who is considering breeding in the future, I'd like to think that the dog I was breeding from was as close to possible to the breed standard. And I don't just mean in looks, the breed standard also applies to the dogs conformation in relation to its original purpose.

Take Isla for example:

Health wise she appears healthy, but the tests will prove that later. Hopefully a box ticked.

Her temperament is spot on for me, she's bold, but not bolshy, she's not timid, but she's cautious, she loves kids, other dogs, people and she's not completely hyper. Basically her breeders bred dogs that you could take anywhere and do anything with. Isla is defintely that, so that's the temperament box ticked IMO.

Working, I'm training Isla for the Gundog Clubs Grades, where possible and she has the drive to retrieve and flush so the basics are there, but time will tell (I don't help her in this department! ). Fingers crossed, another box ticked.

And then there's showing, again time will tell as to how well she fits the standard. If we qualify for Crufts, I'd be satisfied.

If we manage all these things, only then will I seriously consider breeding.

And I think that's the way it should always be.

You can ask Guide Dogs they will tell you that when they selected dogs on good hips only they lost temperament and vice versa, that's how they came to the conclusion that you needed an all round good dog and breed on that basis not just select one particular trait.
As far as I'm concerned anyone who breeds solely for money is a puppy farmer in my book regardless as to whether it's one litter or a 100, if that offends then so be it. I do not believe that dogs should be bred for money, it's because many do and it is acceptable that we get all these crosses at ridiulous prices.
Becky

You can ask Guide Dogs they will tell you that when they selected dogs on good hips only they lost temperament and vice versa, that's how they came to the conclusion that you needed an all round good dog and breed on that basis not just select one particular trait.As far as I'm concerned anyone who breeds solely for money is a puppy farmer in my book regardless as to whether it's one litter or a 100, if that offends then so be it. I do not believe that dogs should be bred for money, it's because many do and it is acceptable that we get all these crosses at ridiulous prices.
Becky

Hi Rips!!
Well done you and good on you for being so careful and thorough before breeding.
I have to say though, what you want to produice is probably different to what a 'et' breeder would want to rpoduce. You want a dog that is close to the breed standard, that can work and show etc. The majority of pet owners aren't too concerned about the breed standard and just want a healthy pet with a sound temprament, it's breeding for differnt things isn't it?

Hi!!!

What's an "et" breeder when it's at home then?

If a pet breeder wants to produce something different from me, then they're producing an inferior dog IMO (nothing quite like blowing your own trumpet! ). First and foremost I'd breed for health and temperament, like I said earlier a dog that can be taken anywhere and done anything with etc. An easy going dog that can be part of the family, the working/showing part is just my personal interests.

Personally I see the breed standard AS the breed, it should be everything not just conformation, working ability etc. I think that's why so many breeds are in the state they're in, so many people breed for one purpose (be it money, working, showing), instead of breeding for the whole, if you get my meaning?

Personally I see the breed standard AS the breed, it should be everything not just conformation, working ability etc. I think that's why so many breeds are in the state they're in, so many people breed for one purpose (be it money, working, showing), instead of breeding for the whole, if you get my meaning?

Uhh I was top breeder in my breed - by virtue of ONE litter (hardly a constant stream!), ALL of which won at least a Res CC and this included a record breaking bitch. I don't rehome my dogs if they don't turn out to be showable! I have a very good friend in another breed who has been the top breeder for about 10 or 12 years on the trot now and many times before that, she breeds once every four or five years and she's never rehomed a dog in her life! Please don't tar all top breeders with the same brush!



Yes, normally those from people who have shown once or twice, haven't won (therefore the results MUST have been fixed in their eyes) and breed anyway!

Debs

Ahhh but you are speaking of numerically very small breeds. yes?