Curious

[Dax]

This is addressed to everyone that breeds - it is not a judgement but I'm curious.

Based on that there is a true and present danger to all female dogs getting pregnant, why take the risk when in allowing them to breed? The risks I'm talking about is pyrometra, which I read is not an if but when case for most unspayed females.

The risk of gland cancer which I understand is very often fatal.

The inconvenience of the bleeding, the inconvenience of separating your dogs, the male dogs in neighborhood hanging around, etc.

The risk of infection from undelivered babies, the real risk of needed c-sections, all of which can really rack up the vet bills.

Now I love my dogs and I think they are wonderful pets, but I'm pretty sure there are hundreds if not thousands just as wonderful waiting on death row in some shelter.

I believe if done responsibily breeders likely just break even cost wise.

Based on the above - why do you still breed?

If you are not comfortable posting a reply on open forum, perhaps you could pm me.

Again, I believe it is YOUR RIGHT to breed responsiblity so it's not a judgement issue and it has nothing to do with purebreeds vs non.

[barnjess]

Well its something that you really need to think about before you breed, you have to be aware that you could loose your girl! But if you are bettering the breed and/or providing a great working dog then the risk is something you have to live with, also i think you need to be prepared to do all that is possiable to ensure the safty of the bitch and the pups for their whole life, not just while they are with you, so you are not adding to the thousands in shelters, also if there is a lot of your breed around and In the papers at the time of maiting then i think twice about wether I will be able to find sutiable homes, i am also starting a breed rescue at the moment its word of mouth untill I move to a bigger property then i will make it morw known, there are ricks with this also if you do both as you need to keep the two very seperate, as you dont know if the dog you are homeing is healthy or carying anything.

Is this what you were looking for?

[whimzikal]

I agree it is a personal right, but also feel no one should feel obligated to 'defend' thier choices. Nor should they be called out, bashed, harrassed or made to feel isolated.

I chose to breed because *in my area there aren't many low dander, low/nonshed dogs. I found a breeder and was VERY fortunate. I don't feel it is right for any family to be deprived the love of a dog because of illness. Due to health reasons (my son) our only choice was one of these cross breds....or if available a purebred. I wasn't interested in a purebred and didn't feel comfortable with many breeders I researched.
I also was APPAULED by the prices of these crosses. I feel I can help other families with needs like ours by providing healthy pups for the price of a spay/neuter. I am not in it for money and am by no means aiming to become a major breeder. I looked at the faces of those sick kids, moms, dads and siblings while they enjoyed my 3 little ones. I realized they may never know this love, may never have that look in thier eyes again.
I was approached by the specialists nurse in re to HER wanting a pup. When you have an ill child money is tight. I am not bothered by inconvienience. Life at times is nothing more. BUT I have a great vet whom I trust, a mentor breeder and many helpful loving friends here so I feel secure in my decision. My vet would not encourage breeding if the health, temperment or intentions where not pure.
I know it can be risky, but we take chances in life or we do not live.
Neither of my girls will be lifelong breeders. A couple litters MAYBE.
I am confident in my choices and stand proud and firm.
I know it's not what EVERYONE would do or think is 'right' but honestly, I don't care.
We have to follow our hearts.
I think of Ty, CF sufferer, and his brother & sister. They all want a dog badly, almost as badly as thier parents I am thier hope. They'd understand if it never comes to light. But to be able to provide that gift to such a beautiful family--words can not express!
I also have a promise that goes both ways. We stay in touch, have get togethers and if for any reason they need to rehome a pup they return it to me--no questions, no judgement. (LIFETIME)
I'd love to start a rescue someday for ONLY these type of crosses in which families with medical restrictions would have priority in adopting. Not everyone has this type of dog at the local shelter/rescue.
Hope I didn't babble and hope this is what you were looking for....Whimz

[Dax]

Wonderful answer Whim & Barnjess ... exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[barnjess]

I must admit, that you come to a point when you look at your pregnant girl and see how uncomfortable she is and think what have I done to you girl? well at least i do, i feel even more attached to them when they are pregnant,, i guess its coz i know what they are going through, i also feel very emotional when I feel them kick for the first as if they were my babys

[whimzikal]

Thanks for providing us a nice, safe thread to express ourselves.
It's nice to be able to tell your own side, not to sway opinion but to allow a ray of hope for understanding Sometimes in defending ourselves or trying to enlighten others we get caught up and become offensive-for the most part I do not think anyone ever intentionally does it, but hey it happens.

THANX DAX

[Blaze]

When I got Lilly I had the purpose of breeding in mind. I knew all the risks involved and I prepared myself for the possibility that something could go wrong.

I know that every time I breed Lilly I could lose everything.

I don't regret breeding her at all. I am very happy with the results. All of her babies have been wonderful. I would never breed her if she wasn't suitable, she would have been spayed long ago. But she is very good breeding quality, passed all health tests, has an excellent pedigree and I really believed that she could contribute to the breed in a positive way and her breeder, who has years of experience and very reputable agreed with me. I also used the best sire I could find who was also very suitable for breeding, had all health tests, many titles etc and I am very happy with all the pups. They all turned out great! They have the best owners and they are loved very much.

Inconvenience was never an issue for me, I have no problem with neighbourhood dogs, sure they hang around but it's easy enough to avoid, she is never left unattended so it doesn't pose a danger. I don't find that hard, she is very rarely allowed by herself at any time let alone while she is in heat. I don't believe there would be any excuses at all for me to let her be accidentally bred.

As for bleeding during heat, well again that's no problem. It's just part of it and certainly doesn't bother me.

I know there won't be undelivered pups because I check that all out. I am very careful and have full vet assistance during the whole process. The risk of her needing a c-section was very unlikely, Bichons aren't a breed which generally has issues delivering, the sire is smaller than Lilly and like I said she is suitable for breeding (ie good size etc). If, for some reason, she did need one I would be fully prepared and cost wouldn't be a factor, as I knew before breeding what a huge financial commitment it was.

I also make sure that all my puppies have homes way before breeding even takes place, again I don't believe there is any excuse not to have this organised. I am very careful to pick the best owners I can and I literally have a lists of people wanting a pup. They are all interviewed etc and I make sure that the pups will never end up in a rescue, I have contracts drawn up to ensure this and before each pup leaves it is microchipped so that it can be traced back to me. I am in constant contact with the owners and I am always getting updates etc, I know how each dog is doing and the owners know that they will get continuous support from us. The owners have all become very good friends and I wouldn't let the pups go if I didn't know for sure that they would be well taken care of - always.

I hate to think of all the unwanted dogs out there and I donate to rescues all the time. Lilly's breeder is very involved with rescues and I also help her. In the future it is definitely something I will do more of too.

Realistically speaking someone who wants a Bichon puppy will be very unlikely to find one in a rescue and therefore they need to be able to get one that is well-bred. They know the history of the lines, they know what to expect health-wise etc and they can get show quality or pet quality pups with wonderful Bichon temperaments. They get health guarantees etc and they can be sure that will get what they wanted. I have a spaying/neutering contract for them all and they could get in serious trouble if it didn't happen. Also I don't let them have the papers until I have written proof that the pups are desexed (which must be done by 6 months) so that there is no way they could get away with it.

I don't really consider myself a 'breeder' as such, I think it would take a long time before I could do that, but I do consider that I am responsible and I'm happy with the choices I have made.

It is something I have committed myself to fully and I have every intention of doing it right, over time I would love to extend it and do it on a more than occasional basis. It is very time consuming and there are no financial gains but it's definitely worth it, when done correctly.

There is nothing like seeing how happy those babies make their owners! They have given them as much joy as Lilly has to me.

I know that there is a possibility of Lilly getting health related issues because of me and I do feel incredibly guilty over that. I know that I could never be prepared for that and if it happens I couldn't forgive myself, it would be impossible. But, like Kendra said, life is about risks. I really hope that it will never happen but I can't change it if it does, it was something I knew when I got into this and it is something I have to live with.

I am not the best person to breed, I get way too attached to dogs and puppies and it can be very upsetting but I would do it again in a heartbeat! Not with Lilly obviously, as she is getting spayed. I wouldn't breed her more than twice, she is my pet first and foremost.

I know that the babies will always be happy and will always be loved. They are so special and as hard as it is to give them up, as stressful as the whole process can be, no matter how much it costs or how much work it is etc at the end of the day I love it! To me it is absolutely worth it, I wouldn't change a thing.

[Rip's Girl]

Responsible breeding is done out of a love for the breed. That is why breeders continue to try to improve it by breeding their dogs. They often lose money and occasionally lose ******* and puppies, which is one of the most devastating things that can happen (and it can happen to even the most responsible of breeders.) but it's the love of their breed that keeps them going. It's not ( and IMO should never be) a selfish "I want puppies" issue, and yes it has to be taken into consideration the risks and possibility of losing your bitch. To responsible breeders, the possible results of the breeding are worth the stress of the breeding itself. I can't say that it's worth losing the bitch, because when I put myself in that position, my girl's life would come before all else, but if I had an excellent example of the breed that I felt would contribute marvelously to the next generation of dogs, I think it would be worth the risk to breed her.

I'm not sure how much sense that makes... And FYI, I do not breed but am involved in my breed and have very close contact with many responsible breeders/exhibitors who have taught me along the way.

[rutylr]

There is a risk just crossing the street.
I know everytime I breed a girl I might loose her,but the risk is way out weighted but the end result.
As I only breed them once,I take years before breeding a female.She must conform to the standard(by becoming a CH),she must prove she can perform(by earning Obed titles) and she must prove to be heathy(passing all test she is screened for).
The siblings for the female must also be healthy growing up,I do not want to produce any underlineing problems( I had a female from my C-litter blow a knee,all her siblings were spayed and neutered as this in not something I want to pass on).
I also watch what is being produced by different lines.It takes at least 2 years to be sure I have found the right stud dog.I subcribe to three different Rottweiler mag.so I can keep track of a dogs children,grand children and great grand children.
Yes there is a risk,but if you are prepared for it and watching for problems then hopefully there will never be a problem.
Donna

[mara]

I don't breed, never will. I will always have at least one dog. I have enjoyed reading this thread and reading different points of view, and different ways people have gone about becoming responsible breeders of healthy puppies.