Opinion: Are you a backyard breeder if you: - Page 1

Have a female that shows good in protection , obedience and tracking... You want to breed to a male that can help produce theses drives into the puppies but you want to see if she has any problems producing so you wait after she gives birth to get her all titled up? Are you a backyard breeder if you breed your untitled female? altho you have such plans of getting the bitch all titled up after you find out that she doesn't have problems producing? Of course the bitch will have hip/elbows scanned (results, good or excellent) before tieing the knott with both dogs.

You cannot tell what a female produces from one litter. May be a lucky or an unlucky combination that one time. Next litter, even to the same stud, may bring different results. You cannot even tell what she produces from just looking at the pups. You will know a bit more once the pups are adults themselves. The novice breeder that is, since a seasoned breeder can tell a lot more at puppy age as any novice breeder will be able to. And do not rely on the opinions of how others evaluate the litter. It is your opinion that puppy buyers have to rely on after all. And it is your experience that needs to be formed, and that takes time. For a novice breeder, every litter is an experiment. For most seasoned breeders, most litters are still experiments, I guess you just get more seasoned in handling all the surprises that come your way. As you get more seasoned and bolder, you may be willing to take a chance on some more calculated experiments. Without risk, little chance of success. In Germany everybody who wants to breed any GSD, male or female, has to jump through the hoops (titling) first, then check results later. Outside the US these rules do not apply. Work with what is available to you. What others think really should not matter in your breeding choices. Whether it is titled dogs, which lines, which individual dog, etc. As long as you can live with your choices and be behind them. If someone has to ask this question though then that person is not fully convinced that such a breeding is the proper thing to do. That should be answer enough. Always breed what you yourself as a breeder can be behind 110%. Because regardless of what you do, there will always be some criticism coming from somewhere...

I think D.H. is correct in that you need to determine your own breeding choices. It is imperative, however, that the standard be maintained. It is wonderful that your bitch has great drives and the stud will enhance that, but the structure also must be part of the package. Certainly, to title in the U.S. or send to Germany is VERY costly and time consuming...I know of several people who will see if the bitch can handle whelping first before the investment. The dogs within the pedigree all are titled and with normal hips and breed worthy. Then they will invest in the AD, BH, title and breed survey. In Germany, they cannot breed without that standard...ultimately that is what we should strive for ...it is also Germanys # 10 income source. As the U.S. can support the training ability/quality I believe the standard will rise. Best of luck to you.

I don't think it could have been said any better than D.H. just stated. People are going to have a perception almost always. I think one of the problems here in the U.S is the fact that we're too busy trying to conform to the "Jones'" ideal of the best stud to use or trying to look for the "stellar titled" dog instead of simply looking for a nice strong dog to compliment that bitch you want to produce for you. With that said, I would reiterate what D.H. said in saying if you feel 110% content about that choice you made, the hell with everyone's else opinion. As long as humans have breath, there is going to be some criticism even if it's your lines chosen, stud selection, stud size, number of titles on the dog, or some other trivial factor that has so little to do with how he compliments that bitch and how much he may contribute a lot to the improvement of what you produce. All said and done, when you feel 100% comfortable with our decision and knowing as much as you could possibly know before "getting your feet wet" go for it!

I breed both titled and untitled females based on bloodlines and dogs conformation and abilities. I don't need a title to tell me if a female is any good or not. I have trained alot of dogs. What you have to keep in mind that if you are not line breeding and are doing what would be considered an outcross, breeding in a dog to a line with no common ancestory predicting what you will get as far as traits is not as simple Though both dogs might have certain traits together if that trait is not located on the same gene in the same position, (homeyoglycos) It is not gauranteed to pass on that trait. I am not telling you not to do it, just don't expect high results on specific traits. I have done outcrossing myself. I figure as long as you are satisfied with how the litter turns out and they meet standard thats really all that counts.

My question is this. Whats worse being a backyard breeder or commercial breeder. Even the best breeders get criticized. My question for you is this though. Suppose your female doesnt produce? Do you still plan to title her and just not breed or is she just for breeding purposes? My only advice is title her no matter what. There are many many dogs being bred that dont ever get title. I think in the UK they arent required to get titles on there dogs for the sieger show.Mexico doesnt require bitework at thier sieger shows either.You can register puppies from untitled dogs in Italy. So i would think its kinda crazy to call those breeders backyard breeders. AS D.H said follow your heart.