GOOD BREEDERS WORLDWIDE - Page 1

Are you good breeders still out there? I would like to hear from each and every one of you, and the Database wants to know who you are too. What are you doing to help improve the breed, and how long have you been breeding?  Let people know that you are out there.

Well, Dawn... it would seem there is a dearth of Good Breeders Worldwide. Or perhaps they are all modestly reluctant to toot their own horns? 

Is it a presumption to assume breeders are motivated solely to improve the breed? I think there has to be more to it than that. I mean, yes, good breeders should want to breed only the best dogs, that is a given. But isn't it the human motive, the only component and driving factor to breed, (outside of natural selection) – be it  for good (improvement of the breed) or bad, (motivated by money)?

Doesn't a good breeder sort of enjoy playing  "God", and wouldn't the winning of championships be their validation? And wouldn't a successful, "good" breeder naturally make more money with winning dogs? Just want to throw some thoughts out here hoping to start a discussion, in a good way. 

Alright, I'll go out on a limb here.

I think I'm a good breeder. I have been in the breed for about 8 years, and I have bred all of 2 litters thus far. I handle and train my own dogs.  I am saddened by the loss in work ethic in many showlines and I strive to produce showlines with real working ability.  I have been blessed enough to place several of my dogs in working homes, one has a TD, some are being trained for SchH, 4 of them have SV show ratings.  My "validation" as beetree put it, is seeing a dog I have bred that is beautiful, healthy, correct, and, most important, a worker. It fills me with pride. I'm hoping to keep a pup from my next litter and work my butt off with him/her. I want a V rated dog in structure and work.

I don't sell my dogs for much in comparison to local breeders of titled stock. God knows I'm in the red with these dogs, if there's money to be made, someone teach me how!  I have deeply discounted puppies to proven working homes, and I offer an incentive program that gives a buyer a credit every time they earn a title on their dog, which they may use toward a future puppy from me.  I think my guarantee is more than fair and in the best interests of my dogs. (you can see it on my website, which needs an update badly, btw).

I also really push AKC events. I think SV style GSD lovers (working line and show line!) NEED to get their dogs out at AKC events, obedience, rally, breed, whatever! Let the public and the judges see what a GSD should look and act like, and I think the horrible trends the AKC breed ring could really change.

I'm not saying I'm a be all and end all, I'm very much a novice with much to learn, but I'm proud of what I've produced so far. I have often wondered if I'm cut out for breeding as I have truly loved each puppy I've produced, and it hurts my heart a bit to let each one go. I hope I never lose that.  I'm only 28, I thoroughly look forward to what I will continue to learn and the dogs I will produce as the years go by. I'll be around! 

Hey KCzaja,  well said and just like to say that a most important quality of a good breeder is the one who really cares about what happens to the dog s he is producing all his pupies that he produces whether they are going in working homes or pet homes.it has to be a genuine interest in the wellbeing of all the puppies.this alone can set you apart from the rest.and try not to breed too many litters because you do not help the breed at all by doing that.so with that said,keep on keeping on.have a nice one.

KCzaja,

You also seem to possess a most successful and useful trait: passion with a vision! Without passion, there would be no joy. I would want to buy a dog from you (future scenario for discussion only) but he would be living in a pet home, so I don't think I would qualify as one of your buyers. Do you ever sell to pet homes?

Best wishes for your future goals in any case. 

Oh, of course I sell to pet homes. I just had the joy of watching a lovely longcoat bitch I of course sold as a pet from my last litter graduate from her beginner obedience class.  She is their second LC and they just adore her. Their love for her brings me so much happiness to watch.

Let's be honest, as breeders in the US, most of our dogs are sold as pets.  I lovelovelove a working home, but they are few and far between. But I got one buyer this year into conformation and I'm hoping the LC pup will go on to rally someday...I strongly encourage people to give their dogs a job. It's easy to get hooked on dog sports!

Thanks so much for the kind words. They are deeply appreciated. When I wanted to get into the breed I cannot tell you how many rude, stuck up breeders I spoke to about buying a female with breed potential. As a newbie it is NOT easy to get educated, so now I love to answer questions and tell curious people all about the breed.

Lets hear from more people!  I know we have good breeders on this board!