WANTING TO GO INTO BREEDING - Page 1

I dont want the negative comments about me not already being a breeder so i should stay well away from the breed. All of you were novices once and you had to start somewhere.

I already own a Non-KC Reg bitch so even if she was the perfect dog to breed from, no benifit will come from me breeding her. So even known i have debated it and even been asked from people with GSD "studs" to think about given her a little with their dog I've decided against the idea.

To be honest i dont know where to start. People seem to be very protective of their dogs and the few breeders i have liked who seem to haver CH dogs in the Kennels seem to be only willing to do pet only contracts and only allowing established breeders have pups to breed from. Which is good but it leaves me looking at people breeding from dogs that seem to be bred for the pet market which I would consider but I at the moment I feel like I want to consider breeding dogs which are already from what some of you would describe as "good" lines.

I also like all different "types" of GSD I love the straight back old look and I love the show dogs, so i guess i havent offically decided on which line am going to go for yet lol So I guess am looking at all types to start from.

As a first time breeder I dont which is best to be honest and do I start off getting a good stud dog before i invest in a bitch or do I get a bitch. If do start with a bitch and it comes with registering her litter do I just use the Net to contact the kennel club to register the litter etc or do I have to jump through hoops before they will allow me to register my first litter with them?

I proberly wont buy a bitch/dog for a year or two yet so really just looking into the idea and looking at all my options.

Thanks and I welcome all comments apart from the ones that will try and point out how much of a novice i am and how much i will ruin the breed. I've been though alot of posts on here where certian members have really took their narrow minded opinions too far

In your situation, I would do this: find an already titled female in europe, have her bred to the hottest name dog over there, then import her here.  Should be easy enough to sell the puppies, despite what your level of experience with the breed is.  Keep the best female you can from the litter, and enroll in the nearest schutzhund club, to train and title your pup, and practice with the already titled mother.

With any luck, the litter paid for your titled female, her stud fee, and possibly something toward the annual schutzhund club dues.  Then, save enough for stud service to the older female the next year, and hold back another female from that litter.  Then, with the litter proceeds, shop for a male of your own, puppy or adult, that is compatible with any or all three of your females.  Keep training.

By then, you'll have a good enough idea if you even like being a "puppy salesman", a "dog trainer", and a "dog breeder" all at once.  Because while each is different, they are all necessary, and you'll have to delegate or hire out the aspects of the business that you don't wish to deal with.

The best advice I can give you is find a mentor. Someone who is already where you want to be, that trains,
titles and health tests their stock.

Melissa

thanks guys and darylehret I think am gonna look into your suggestion. It would work out cause it would give me a few years to really look into it and find the right bitch

If you want to become a breeder and you want to get started the right way then you need to apprentice with an experienced, reputable breeder.  Someone who will teach you about dog structure, temperament, health, breeding, whelping, training dogs (for show or otherwise), going to shows, paperwork, etc.   Since you're willing to wait a year or two before getting a dog then use that time wisely to learn hands-on from other breeders.  Attend dog shows regularly, talk with people. 

Everyone has their own opinions in dogs, each and every breeder you meet will think a little differently than all the others.  Learn about all these opinions, they will help you develope yours.  Listen, occasionally ask questions, but while you are getting to know these things do try to refrain from giving your own opinions, you will find that your opinions will change, constantly evolving. 

Before you do get any dogs that you plan to breed, first plan out your property, both indoors and outdoors where you will set up excerize/play yard(s), kennels, whelping, supply storage, grooming, etc. etc.   Get these things first, have your place set and ready before getting the dog(s). 

Start with a female.  Very, very, very few beginners are capable of starting with a male and doing well.  Top quality stud males require a lot more training, showing, campaigning, money, etc. to get them to a level where other reputable breeders want to use the dog for stud service.  Top stud males are for people who have a lot of money to start with and who will never expect to break even.   Making money on stud fees is for siegers and race horses. 


I was fortunate to work for a couple different breeders before I bought my first breeding dog.  Interestingly, none of the breeders I worked for had GSDs.  But these breeders were still among the best in the world in their breeds and I learned so much valuable lessons about dog breeding on the whole. 

Thanks EuroShepherd and that really is a lot of usefull advice... for me anyways :)

Some good advice from both darylehret and EuroShepherd although I would have left out the part in the former's post about shopping for a male that is compatible with any or all of your females for a couple of reasons.  You won't really know if the dog is actually compatible with any of your females until after you've bred them.  What we think should happen and what actually happens when genes collide are often very different things and even if you do get lucky and produce some nice pups, the extent to which you can use that dog in future breedings of your own stock becomes increasingly limited.

As EuroShepherd mentions, obtaining, training and campaigning a stud dog can be a very expensive proposition and one that is unnecessary considering the availability and affordability of breeding to so many extremely nice dogs, regardless of what lines you decide to breed.  The reality is that the best choice of a stud dog for any female that you own at any given point in time is probably not going to be one that you own.

Breeding dogs is a lot of research, a lot of work, a lot of stress, and if you're doing it right more expensive than the amount of money you'll get back in puppy sales.  So, why does everyone want to do it?

Browser, I have an idea how about you get into the dogs in the form of training and showing them. Your first dog usually is the one you learn from. The reason I say this is because having one family dog to train and play with is FUN, but when you add in multiple dogs and all that goes with it you see things from another point of view. Also by training your own dogs you can start to understand drives and temperment. This is important for when breeding. also by getting involved in the training it will help you decide if you want to breed for the show ring or for work. Breeding is expensive and very time consuming.. Good luck to ya.

if you're want to breed only the best and strive for the breed standard, expect to loose plenty of money.

I think the first question you should ask yourself is WHY you want to be a breeder.  Once you understand your motive you have a place to start.  

Margaret N-J