Question - Page 1

Some on here have stated that they are not into breeding for the money but for the betterment of the breed.  First let me say that if you are putting your time, energy and investment into something you do well, there is nothing wrong with making money, you've earned it.  A good breeder SHOULD be making money and bettering the breed at the same time!  It's a win/win situation.

Okay, now just talking about these breeders who are bettering the breed, making money and putting their high drive dogs in working homes only because the average Joe wouldn't be able to handle them,.  How many working puppies (to working homes) are hitting the ground in one state?

Make no mistake. I am not breeding dogs for the "betterment of the breed". The breed is already just fine. For example: I have no aspirations about my IMPROVING the breed when I breed my Quincy Waldwinkel son (Asko Lutter grandson) Bijou in future. Let's face it... that's not likely to happen, at least not on MY watch. Ha ha ha. If I can produce more dogs like Bij and his forefathers, and not introduce any undesireable traits in the process, I'll be a happy camper. In fact, I won't breed Bijou at all unless I KNOW I have time and room here for a couple of them and working homes for the rest his pups.

I only hope to maintain and continue the quality of the dogs I breed. Economics IS a major factor for me. If it wasn't, I'd be GIVING them away to all my friends in the sport. Would that I were that well off. I am fortunate in that roughly half  to three quarters of my working pups do go to experienced working homes and I don't breed many so crazy that the average person/family can't handle them. I usually keep the highest drive ones for myself, or hold them back till someone comes along who will appreciate such a dog. Once the young dog has demonstrated his/her high drives and abilities in the work, they are worth a lot more and literally fly out the door to competition or K9 handlers.

SS

Thanks Shelley, good post.  I'm trying to ferret something out of the arguements and such that go on and just want simple but honest answers like yours, I appreciate it.  I'll wait for others to post before I get to the gist of why I'm asking.  No tricks involved, just looking for info.

Nice to see so many are willing to be honest about their breeding programs!