Hobby Breeding

Kazuko · January 2012

First off, I'd like to say, if you have issues with hobby breeding, take them up with me personally, though PM. I don't need to drudge through post after post of "HOW COULD YOU!?!?!11One!" xD My husband's in the Navy. He has, recently, told me he wouldn't mind me taking up hobby breeding when we get stationed... wherever. xD If it's in the US (well, in the US somewhere besides Hawaii, because the quarantine laws there are crazy), he says I can go ahead because he knows I'd research a ton and take damn good care of those animals. I'm not talking back yard breeding. I'm not talking 'shove two same breed dogs in a room and call it good'. There will be health testing, lots of bloodline research, and a heck of a lot of research involved. We'd probably be renting a home, so space won't be a real issue, but I'm not gonna breed great danes or something >_>; I've been trying to figure out a good breed, however. Something popular enough that it wouldn't be extremely difficult to find homes for puppies, but not something annoying like chihuahuas. Or German shepherds. Something small/medium without eighteen million possible health issues (like English Bulldogs. I love them to death and would love to own them, but the ideas of what could go wrong with breeding them terrifies me). I've been considering pomeranian, though my husband is iffy because 99% of them are yappy buggers. Maybe some sort of spitz? I'd like something that comes in lotsa pretty colors, because I am ridiculously interested in color genetics... as you might have noticed. Suggestions and such? Thoughts? Ideas? 8D Also fear not. We have enough money to handle any medical mishaps. We have over $10k in our Savings account just in case anything happens to us, or our dog.

SirPopcorn · January 2012

CAVALIERS!

Hehe though King Charles Spaniel's are alright too

Trianna · January 2012

I'm actually of the opinion that the best breeders are hobby breeders, because those who do it to make money often skimp on medical care and testing.... because, well, you know, it cuts down on profits and all. :roll: Hobby breeders tend to be the people who choose to breed because they truly care about their breed and want to improve it, which is a much better reason to bring an animal into the world than " OMG I can get like 1000 bucks per puppy!" As long as you have the time, patience, and means to take care of the animals properly, and aren't just breeding like crazy for the heck of it I don't see why anyone should have a problem with it. I would suggest showing your breeding stock to some extent, not only because people will take you more seriously as a breeder, more so because judges tend to be a bit better (and less biased) at choosing good breeding stock.... after all, that's the whole point of dog shows. If you don't have much breeding experience I'd also recommend spending a lot of time talking to the people you get your foundation dogs from, maybe co-breeding a litter with them to kinda "get the hang of it" if they are close enough XD. I plan on getting a show Wolfhound sometime in the next few years (it may be a few years before my chosen breeder has another litter, they're busy showing their newest female at the moment) and I plan on showing her for a few years and co-breeding a litter with them if she does well. If not make sure your vet is going to be available all hours and you have a good way to contact them in case of an emergency. Whelping your first few litters(at least) in the presence of a vet is always a good idea. What are your plans for selling puppies? Having a waiting list system is the best way to do it, imo. That way all puppies have potential owners before they are even born, and you have a chance to screen all them all. Also, you should have a well written contract with clauses setting out what is and isn't allowed to be done with/to the puppy, and allowing you to reclaim the puppy if and of your conditions are broken. Spay or neuter should be mandatory (unless you sell the pup on a show/breed contract) to keep people who have no clue what they're doing from irresponsibly breeding. You'll probably need to work with a lawyer on the contract to make sure everything in it is legal and up to par. As far as breed goes, I have to think about that one as nothing is coming to mind right now. lol.

Troglin · January 2012

If you're looking specifically for a Spitz breed, then these might be worth researching. American Eskimo Dog Eurasier Finnish Spitz Shiba Inu The downside with Eskies would be that they're basically solid white and there cannot be any color variations. Seeing as how I own one though, I felt it necessary to mention them. ;P Eurasiers come in tons of different colors, though they can't be solid white, have white patches, or be liver in color. Finnish Spitz are gorgeous, multi-toned hunters. They're still rather limited in their colors, but more varied than some of the other spitz breeds. Shiba Inu's are unbelievably adorable and so small! I think their colors are rather varied as well. The huge downside with spitz breeds (in general) would be that they all seem to be independent, prone to dominance, intelligent, and stubborn. I know you could handle it, but obviously if you end up getting quite a few difficult dogs together you might stress yourself out. :P I don't really feel the need to say anything about how you'll take care of them, raise them, or anything else of that nature. I know you're capable of being an incredible dog owner. I hope you can find the right breed for you and whatever area you'll be stationed in.

Adrianna32 · January 2012

I second the Shiba Inu. Owned one a few years back, absolutely gorgeous and incredibly smart dog. I had her obedience and show trained before she turned one. Also the Finnish Spitz, mainly because of their general good health and reputation for being vet bill free for life. But I also recommend the Havanese, typically an over looked breed, but easy to sell when primped and primed. They're as pretty as the Pomeranian but in my experience never as yappy or annoying like a typical small dog. They come in all colors, pure chocolate being my favorite, as they have gorgeous green eyes and are simply stunning. So you'll be able to experiment and make some pretty, unique puppies. Every Havanese that I have had the pleasure to meet has been incredibly smart, this breed lives to please, and will literally focus on your every word and command. It isn't in their nature to bark a lot but they make great watch dogs. They become very attached to their owners once trained, and are trained very easily, known as circus dogs because of the large amount of tricks they learn and love doing. They also have an incredibly long life span, and get along with familiar people/children very well. Some other suggestions: The English Toy Spaniel is a small, square-bodied dog with a coat that flows like a royal cloak and a merry and affectionate personality. This breed is divided into four varieties based on color: Blenheim (rich mahogany red and white); Ruby (rich mahogany red); Prince Charles (white with black and tan markings); and King Charles (black and tan). (Taken from AKC info). The Basenji. A poised, elegant hunting dog from Africa, the Basenji is smoothly muscular and moves with ease and agility. The Basenji is commonly known as the "barkless dog," but whien excited, he makes a noise that sounds like a yodel. Colors include chestnut red, pure black or brindle , and tri mixes. This is a Spitz breed. Once trained this breed makes an amazing companion and family protector, and will thrive with the others of his breed.

Kazuko · January 2012

(Going through and commenting in (mostly) reverse order 8D Because I'm cool.) Cavaliers are one of the most expensive breeds of dog, and Shibas are extremely pricey as well, which is why I'm tentative with those two breeds. We were originally going to get a shiba, but all the breeders we spoke to wanted $900+ per pet-quality puppy with mandatory spay/neuter, and that was just too much for me. Cavaliers I've never seen go for less than $800 a pup, again, for pet-quality, mandatory-spay/neuter. Havanese I just... dislike. xD; They aren't physically appealing to me. I do enjoy spaniels, but for some reason my husband detests them >_>; I love how square they are. 8'D Basenji is a possibility, but I'd have to do a lot more research on the dogs. Spitz isn't something I'm determined to breed, but both my husband and I find them cute. xD Hunting dogs kinda make me nervous though because of how high strung, dominant, and prey-driven they tend to be. I might want to own like. A hamster or something.

The dogs would be smart enough to break into the cage, I guarantee. xD Eskies are adorable, but if I were going with an all-white breed of dog, it'd be the Japanese Spitz, because ohmygodtheirfaces. Showing is a possibility, but not a probability. My dogs would likely be from show stock either way. My... aunt-in-law? xD used to breed and show schipperke as a hobby so I know how that goes. Dear god schipper puppies are adorable.

I'd take reserves prior to breeding the dogs to ensure enough homes and the correct time to screen. I know people sometimes drop out and go "I don't actually want this puppy", but that's okay because I'll be home all day, every day- definitely enough time to care for any pups until I do find them homes. Legally binding contracts will come, with mandatory spay/neuter unless otherwise agreed upon. Mandatory vet checks as well, because I know too many people who buy dogs and then decide they don't need to be taken in for vaccinations until after they've already caught something.

Another breed I've considered is bull terrier, despite them being terriers. xD They're such goofy dogs. I'd be trying to avoid pure-white dogs, breeding for color, because of the 20% chance of deafness in pure white dogs versus 1.3% in deaf dogs. Regardless, I am friends with someone who has trained three or four deaf dogs (through accidental double-merle breedings) so if I do happen to get a deaf puppy in my litter, I'd be able to care for it until I can find it a suitable home. I am such a sucker for bull terriers. 8D

SirPopcorn · January 2012

So I did a quick search. I didn't look much into any of these, just tried to go off what you said xD - Shetland Sheepdog - Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Miniature Pinscher - Staffordshire Bull terrier - Beagle - Shar-pei (can get a bit large though) - Keeshond I understand what you meant about cavaliers being expensive >.< My Charlie cost us around $500 despite being the runt and 'not show quality'. It's a shame your husband doesn't like spaniels..

Kazuko · January 2012

He'd kill a Sheltie. Those things are just obnoxious. -I- might kill a beagle because when they start barking, holy crap. xD He hates corgis (they're supposedly ugly. I disagree D<) and since his friend and mom both have obnoxious min pins, those are just out of the question. Shar-pei would be cute

And I do like Keeshonds too. He also doesn't like staffies. Too square of a head. It's a pain in the ass to find a breed that my husband agrees with. xD

Trianna · January 2012

As far a spitz breeds my suggestions would be Karelian Bear Dogs - healthy and they don't require much grooming, but they don't have much color variety. Kai Ken- again, not a big variety of colors or markings, but they are gorgeous dogs. They're not so common in the US, but I think you mentioned potentially living in Japan before. XD Finnish Lapphund- They can be just about any color and have a wide variety of markings, and they have very few health problems. They aren't very common though, so they can be pretty expensive.

Kazuko · January 2012

If we get stationed in Japan, hobby breeding's a no go. We aren't renting a house there, and will be living in apartments. xD Mother in law had a pair of Karelian Bear Dogs. Said they were THE most aggressive animals she's ever dealt with. The female gave birth (she was holding onto the pair until the puppies were born), and my mother in law couldn't even get into the horse stall to give the female food because she'd try to tear her face off. The male was no better. The person she was holding them for disappeared, so she was stuck with two highly aggressive bear dogs and a litter of what was bound to be temperamentally unstable puppies. She's used to big, possibly volatile, dogs, since she worked with German shepherds and had her fair share of bloodline mistakes, but she said nothing compared to those dogs. xD SO that has me extremely wary of that breed. Kai Ken are rare, and also have extreme dominance issues since they're hunting dogs. But they're pretty. 8'D I hit first 10x4 Kai Ken in game. Lapphund are gorgeous, but expensive and rare and the market for them isn't the greatest, and finding homes IS important. xD

3Eagles · January 2012

I personally love German Shepherd and will have a kennel full of them someday. I also though have the best bloodlines a shepherd can have basically right in my backyard. I am working with Siberian Huskies for right now. I have a breeder whose willing to work with me and helping with bloodline research and all the fun stuff. A few suggestions. 1. Get a website. I know of a great free one that you can chose to pay if you want certain things added. 2. Make up your contract now before you even start looking at dogs. You need to get everything you possibly can in place before you bring a dog home. 3. You need a kennel brand and name. You want something unique and meaningful to you. Something easy to pronounce yet classy sounding will make selling pups easier. 4. Always take pictures of any and all pups you ever breed. Pictures of you with the pups and a picture with the parents. It's easier for prospective buyers to see what they are getting. It even helps with the cute factor. 5. Always name any pups you keep for show or breeding with your brand. If you do this long enough and get to where you have a few generations of just your bloodlines. People will be more apt to respect your dogs and pay better for a pup. As for breeds Shetland Sheepdog Klein German Spitz Volpino

SirPopcorn · January 2012

Trisscar wrote:

 A few suggestions. 1. Get a website. I know of a great free one that you can chose to pay if you want certain things added. 2. Make up your contract now before you even start looking at dogs. You need to get everything you possibly can in place before you bring a dog home. 3. You need a kennel brand and name. You want something unique and meaningful to you. Something easy to pronounce yet classy sounding will make selling pups easier. 4. Always take pictures of any and all pups you ever breed. Pictures of you with the pups and a picture with the parents. It's easier for prospective buyers to see what they are getting. It even helps with the cute factor. 5. Always name any pups you keep for show or breeding with your brand. If you do this long enough and get to where you have a few generations of just your bloodlines. People will be more apt to respect your dogs and pay better for a pup.

I agree with all of this x] Take MANY photos. Everyone loves being able to see the pups, parents, previous litters and what not. I suggest you make it easy to distinguish between pups by putting coloured ribbon around their neck while taking photos and something of the sort. Keep the site updated every day! Nobody likes getting their hopes up only to find out that the pup they had their eye on was sold a week ago. As for the Shar-peis... they can have health issues >.< My sisters one has to have surgery because the rolls pushed his eyes into the back of his head and are causing sight issues. Plus when buying the original brood and sire, you would have to be careful as to what the breeders have done regarding the rolls. This is because the dogs may be bred to have more rolls, nothing done about them, or they could be bred with less. As for personality... my sisters one is a big dumb dope. I don't know whether it's like that for all the breed, but he's more brute then brains.

EmmeZoec · January 2012

If you have the yard and energy you could do Border Collies

they come in every color and coat and basically every coat length. They bark if they don't get enough exersize and can be rarely dirty if it gets muddy, they tend to go puddle surfing then coming in and flopping down on your floor. It's basically useless to clean it up if you have hard wood floors

If you can get them showing then they are worth much more, and it's fun! They are a pretty easy breed to sell, you just need to do a lot of screening to make sure the dogs not going to go crazy at his new home. Other ideas: Lab: they don't come I to many colors and tend to get fat Old English Sheepdogs: kind of long coats Bearded Collies: Again kinda long hair Yorkie: wee yappy Dashhund: can have back problems Jack Russel Terrier: bit yappy again

GiftyLover · January 2012

From reading through this and taking size, type, and other things into consideration, I highly recommend either a Keeshond, Basenji, or Alaskan Klee Kai (Very in demand). All are medium sized, not too tempramental, and not yappy. Plus, all are dogs that people like and look for as they are not TOO overbreed ( like maltese, chihuahua, ect.) I know around here, Klee Kai are EXTREMELY popular. People love huskies, but don't have the space, room or time. Klee Kais are a great alternative. There is also a lot of things being done with their genetics, so you could get your name in the field with adaptions.

Kazuko · January 2012

Trisscar: We're waiting to get orders before we get in contact with any legal department. It'd be useless to pay someone to write up a nice, long contract and then find that it's useless because we're being sent off to Guam. xD Websites I can do. As for kennel and brands, I haven't really considered it. My mother in law had the Ace High Kennels, but as for me? Heck if I know. I think I'ma wait to see where I'm stationed before making any decisions. I always loved my old VP kennel- Resendez Kennels. It's such a cool name. Pictures will be taken. Lots of pictures. I've flipped through my MIL's albums, she's pretty much shown me how to document and keep everything up to date, both with dogs and with horses. xD Shelties are a firm no. My husband hates them, and I really dislike them. xD The Klein Spitz was considered, but if I'm going for something small and fluffy I may go for the cheaper, more popular Pomeranian, or even the Japanese Spitz. Same deal with Volpino. Anastasia: Yeah, after a bit more research, shar-pei is out. Between their wrinkles and tendency to be a bit.. stubborn, I dunno if I could put up with them after a border collie. xD I've grown accustomed to eager-to-please, highly intelligent dogs. Emme: I have a border collie mix right now and I love this dog. xD We recently learned of an agility course about half an hour away, so we're super excited. The mud is a problem though. >_> It's rained the last four days and she LOVES splashing in the mud. 8'D As for your breed suggestions, I'll have to... deny all of those. I feel bad, and thank you for your suggestions. xD Reasons: Labs: I hate labs. Passionately. I just really, really, really don't like them. Old English Sheepies: They're cute, but too large for me. I weigh 95lbs soaking wet. This is another reason Shar-pei were denied. I'm just too small to be handling more than one large-ish breed dogs. Beardies: See above. Also not a fan of appearances. Yorkie & Dachshund: Yappy, annoying little dogs. My husband flat out says no to popular, small yappy breeds. He only agreed with poms because of how damn cute they are.

Jack Russel: Demon dogs, I'm convinced.

Maitre: I do like Keeshond. They're on my list. xD So are Klee Kai. I dunno about Basenji, however. I think they're cute, but my husband really dislikes the way they look. The List So Far: Pomeranian Bull Terrier Border Collie Australian Shepherd (mostly added because my husband adores them and I know there'd be no way he'd say no xD) Alaskan Klee Kai Keeshond Japanese Spitz

Berton · January 2012

Moony had two Keeshonds o.o I love them xD so fluffy if you ever need any help contract wise or anything in the future, I could prolly email you a copy of my moms contract xD

FlyTM · January 2012

I would say Bull Terriers, seeing you said something about the BC's mud problem? or puddle whatever that is but anyways, though BCs come in about every colour, Bulls Terriers do have a few, I guess most common white? I know a lot of people where I am like them but it may be different esle where. My fathers GF used to breed them and as far as I know she enjoyed them, she would show her lot as well. Have you looked up Dogs 101 or Breed all about it? they have a few videos up, about heaps of breeds and tell you about the health problems and such may give you ideas, or you may see a breed you like on there. Erm any idea what you have in mind your gonna breed for? Bettering the breed? Colour? House pets?

3Eagles · January 2012

I made up my own contract and then just checked it against a local breeder's. It's cheaper and still legal. I would advise still having a lawyer look it over though if you plan on doing this for a long time. I agree with the Alaskan Klee Kai. Amazing dogs.

Kazuko · January 2012

tbone: I don't mind them getting muddy. xD Mine loves playing in the mud, and as long as I remember to bring extra towels, I let her. 8D The most common color for bull terriers IS white, but I'd be breeding specifically for NOT pure white dogs, as they have a MUCH higher chance of being born deaf. 20% versus something closer to 3% I've watched both shows, trust me I'm pretty knowledgeable about a lot of breeds. xD I love telling people random dog facts. That list was selected out of... an entire slew of possibilities. I'll be doing a ton of extra research either way. Breeding for color, for the most part. Color, house pets, maybe show-quality pups. While I will be health testing my dogs and keeping a close eye on their lines, I will not necessarily be breeding to better the breed.

FlyTM · January 2012

Mm.. I'm not sure if your into eye colour and that too I was gonna look into that but <a href="http://www.ashgi.org/color/aussie_eye_color.htm"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.ashgi.org/color/aussie_eye_color.htm</a>; Aussies are neat for that but I'm guessing its coat colour? Than I would says BCs becuase you never know, theres so many BC colour coats out there, that if you feel like changing different colour/s to breed for or doing two types of coat colours it would easy with that breed I guess?

Minx · January 2012

If you get into herding dogs just realize that you should never breed two merles together. Double merle pups are mostly white and heave sight and hearing problems. Both aussies and bs's have merle coat colors (i have/have had both breeds)

Kazuko · January 2012

I know, Vampy. xD I know about cryptic merles and the whole nine yards. 8'D I love genetic research. Tbone: Borders have similar eye colors (though aussie eyes are purdier), but both have lots of coat varieties, and my husband's more likely to go for the aussies

Minx · January 2012

Kazuko wrote:

I know, Vampy. xD I know about cryptic merles and the whole nine yards. 8'D I love genetic research.

Thats my favorite part too ;D of course i have more extensive knowledge of horse genetics however i do learn some dog genetics as well. Ive actually been planning on hobby breeding show aussies for years so every now and them i get on and do some research on em ;D Plus i am getting another mini soon though my dad doesnt know that ;D

EmmeZoec · January 2012

Kazuko wrote:

Labs: I hate labs. Passionately. I just really, really, really don't like them.

Oh good! We don't need another lab breeder in this world. I find border Collies more intelligent the Auzzies, plus they have a thinner coat which is nice, less fluff. Mine LOVE to puddle surf! The will run and dive into one then come running in and flop on the floor. Its the cutest thing 8D Just to further convince you they are better, some pretty pictures (and a lot about genetics)! I love the blues and the lilacs! <a href="http://www.bryningbordercollies.com/Border-Collie-Colours"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.bryningbordercollies.com/Bor ... ie-Colours</a>

PaperWings · January 2012

Dunno about over there, but Border Terriers are kinda popular around this country. They are smart, but they are terriers ... Should totally breed Great Danes >.> I'd buy one! XD Has to be blue merle though. Boxers are rather awesome, especially when they have their tails! But are hyper and do have their own cons - eye problems, cancer etc. Poodles, as technically they are gun dogs and highly intelligent. Unfortunately, tv etc has made them creatures used for dress-up

But they do boast the hypo-allergic fur coat! And they come in three different sizes ^^ Miniature might be more your size though. Unfortunately around here it is the "big mean dog" that is in demand. Ranging from your staffies (including the oh so fake "irish staffies"), rotties, to mastiff styled things. Omg totally have to have boerboel! xD I'm always available for website design! >.> <.<

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Hobby Breeding

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