Breeding my female - Page 2

What HD said! Since you are so busy at work, I have to ask this: How do plan to find the time to tend to a litter of puppies? As HD said, they are a LOT OF WORK!

We care for this breed a great deal, and just want to make sure you have carefully thought this through. 

Hired Dog,

There really isnt a MUST. You have very vaild points and it's also something I've been thinking about too.. As far as experience, I'm doing as much reading and learning as I can, we all have to begin somewhere, right? IF I decide to breed her, it would most likely be a one time thing. I know a few folks that want a pup from her if I choose to do it. (Family and a couple of friends). Not interested in the money or being a backyard breeder by any means.

Again, I'm taking all things into consideration, including the time and effort. I wanted to try and gauge her "probability" based on her heritage from some experienced minds.. By no means has this become something I'm going to do, just trying to educate myself.

Sunsilver,

My wife is also insterested. I work nights, she works days. It's a team effort, but again I understand the tine issues.

BTW, thanks Q man

There are plenty of reasons not to breed your female that are real and legitimate.  If you have one female and breed her you will spend a ton of money and your wife may divorce you .. the problems are many fold .. first you don't have anything you need to raise puppies so there is a lot of "first timer" costs.  Second this ship has at least two captains .. you and your wife.  When it comes time to sell or more likely give away the pups her maternal instincts may kick in and her babies may not be going to just any old home (however good).  If they go to relatives they may come back as juvenile delinquents. If you are a green horn at whelping puppies and raising them the Vet will get most of the money from the litter even if you do manage to sell them because every time one is acting strange the vet will get a visit from you or your wife ($50-$75 cha-ching) not counting the routine must visits or boarding.  If you keep the puppies as house children they will tear up your stuff and destroy your floors and furniture (especially if you keep them past two months of age).  Then there is the mother dog .. she may or may not be a happy camper and there is danger that her health could be affected (not much but some).  Finally and worst of all you and/or your wife will want to keep just one (or two) and then the mother dog is never going to be happy again.  All of these are good reasons not to breed because I have been there and done that.  So the only real reason to breed dogs and raise puppies is because you love doing it because there is no money in it and it is a lot of 24/7 365 work.  If you love your dog and want to make more like her and you are willing to endure the costs, long hours, potential risks and possible heartbreaks then have at it.  Don't expect the pups to look much different from mom and dad though .. the apple does not fall very far from the tree.  If you are expecting to breed one litter and produce a world champion (fill in whatever sport or objective) "it ain't gonna happen".

Thanks everyone for all of your input. That gives me quite a bit to think about.

Have a good one!

I would start with DM testing, its inexpensive, and the quickist way to rule out a dog for breeding.
Also check eyes, thyroid and heart.
Then get hips and elbows certified.

All the while, I'd be busy training in the sport you're most interested in.