Just Decided to Become A Breeder.

Louise Lai · 11-26-2012, 05:39 PM

I got my first GSD puppy a few months ago, and I have decided that I would really like, in the future, to become a breeder.

I've had a few ups and downs with my boy, but, on the whole, he's been wonderful to have and work with.

I've started getting into working with my dog, although my knowledge is still limited. I've joined a Schutzhund Club, and we have a long way to go yet, but it's strengthened my love of the sport and the breed.

I'm still pretty young (22), and in school, so I don't want to rush into anything, but I'd really like to become a breeder in about 5-10 years or so. Right now, I just want to soak up as much as I can and work with my dog.

Can I get some straightforward advice on how to get started? What to read, what to learn, etc?

x11 · 11-26-2012, 05:47 PM

my suggestion is bookmark your desire to become a breeder and just go get some general life knowledge. 22 years old....

FirstTimeGSD · 11-26-2012, 05:48 PM

I think for now you should just enjoy your dog and focus on learning everything you can learn about the breed before you even think about actually breeding.

Louise Lai · 11-26-2012, 05:53 PM

I don't plan on starting right now. Like I said in my first post, I'm thinking more like...10 years down the road. But it's something I want to work up to. If I don't think about it now, 10 years down the line, I won't know any more than I do right now.

FirstTimeGSD, I'm trying to learn. I'm just asking for pointers on where to start said education, and all I'm getting are disparaging responses about my age.

**Liesje** · 11-26-2012, 05:59 PM

Getting Started...

**lhczth** · 11-26-2012, 06:00 PM

Your SchH club is a good start. I would read as much as you can on the history of the breed. Train, spend time around dogs, watch, listen, spend time around breeders and other trainers, watch, ask questions, listen.

robk · 11-26-2012, 06:28 PM

Louise,
Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn. You will read a lot of great stuff here and be exposed to many aspects of the breed from people here who have decades of experience.

Rob

Louise Lai · 11-26-2012, 06:40 PM

Thank you for the advice and welcome! I've actually done quite a bit of lurking, but finally decided to get some personalized advice.

martemchik · 11-26-2012, 06:41 PM

Go to your club...a lot.

Go to shows and trials...a lot.

Talk to people that know things about dogs, get objective opinions on your dog and other people's dogs. Reading will get you some information, a little more in depth on pedigrees, but really the best way to learn is to go and see things happening. See dogs in real life, understand all the "terms" that are used. Start learning correct conformation and correct drives.

You don't have to plan on being a breeder, hopefully 10 years from now you have a dog that is breed worthy and someone will take you under their wing and show you the way. Like the other posters have said, you don't really have to have this plan now, just learn as much as you can about the breed and how to do things responsibly.

Jack's Dad · 11-26-2012, 07:09 PM

If you plan to do anything, why not at 22?
It's a lot better to have plans and goals when you are 20 something than at 40.

You can change your plans if you choose but never let anyone discourage you.

Lisa gave some good general advice. I think the thread Lies posted is pretty much useless. Sorry Lies.

There are a number of very knowledgeable people on here that can help you if they choose to. Keep reading threads on breeding and training and you will figure out who knows what they are talking about, and then there is the rest of us.

Read Iceberg Breeders. That thread will give you an idea about the complexities of breeding. It's a good long read.

Best wishes to you.

11-26-2012, 05:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Louise Lai New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 11	Just Decided to Become A Breeder. I got my first GSD puppy a few months ago, and I have decided that I would really like, in the future, to become a breeder. I've had a few ups and downs with my boy, but, on the whole, he's been wonderful to have and work with. I've started getting into working with my dog, although my knowledge is still limited. I've joined a Schutzhund Club, and we have a long way to go yet, but it's strengthened my love of the sport and the breed. I'm still pretty young (22), and in school, so I don't want to rush into anything, but I'd really like to become a breeder in about 5-10 years or so. Right now, I just want to soak up as much as I can and work with my dog. Can I get some straightforward advice on how to get started? What to read, what to learn, etc?

11-26-2012, 05:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Liesje Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 16,257	Getting Started... __________________ Liesje & the K9s Nikon (GSD) U-CH SG Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 KKL T1 FO PA TF-III FDCh-S CL1-R UJJ U-CA HIT TT CGC Coke (All-American) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC, couch warmer extraordinaire Indy (All-American) Blue Horizon's Indigo Girl, flyball star in training Rainbow Bridge Kenya (GSD) U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop CL1-R CL1-F RA HIT TDI TT CGC vom Blauen Horizont / Blue Horizon GSDs

11-26-2012, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 13,725	Your SchH club is a good start. I would read as much as you can on the history of the breed. Train, spend time around dogs, watch, listen, spend time around breeders and other trainers, watch, ask questions, listen. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

11-26-2012, 06:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
robk Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 1,527	Louise, Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn. You will read a lot of great stuff here and be exposed to many aspects of the breed from people here who have decades of experience. Rob __________________ Honor Von Kaltwasser BH aka "Ruger" http://www.working-dog.eu/dogs-detai...von-Kaltwasser

11-26-2012, 06:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
martemchik Knighted Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,457	Go to your club...a lot. Go to shows and trials...a lot. Talk to people that know things about dogs, get objective opinions on your dog and other people's dogs. Reading will get you some information, a little more in depth on pedigrees, but really the best way to learn is to go and see things happening. See dogs in real life, understand all the "terms" that are used. Start learning correct conformation and correct drives. You don't have to plan on being a breeder, hopefully 10 years from now you have a dog that is breed worthy and someone will take you under their wing and show you the way. Like the other posters have said, you don't really have to have this plan now, just learn as much as you can about the breed and how to do things responsibly. __________________ Rooney CD RE TC HIC 7/10

11-26-2012, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
x11 Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,241	my suggestion is bookmark your desire to become a breeder and just go get some general life knowledge. 22 years old....

11-26-2012, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
FirstTimeGSD Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 135	I think for now you should just enjoy your dog and focus on learning everything you can learn about the breed before you even think about actually breeding.

11-26-2012, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Louise Lai New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 11	I don't plan on starting right now. Like I said in my first post, I'm thinking more like...10 years down the road. But it's something I want to work up to. If I don't think about it now, 10 years down the line, I won't know any more than I do right now. FirstTimeGSD, I'm trying to learn. I'm just asking for pointers on where to start said education, and all I'm getting are disparaging responses about my age.

11-26-2012, 06:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Louise Lai New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 11	Thank you for the advice and welcome! I've actually done quite a bit of lurking, but finally decided to get some personalized advice.

11-26-2012, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jack's Dad Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 1,834	If you plan to do anything, why not at 22? It's a lot better to have plans and goals when you are 20 something than at 40. You can change your plans if you choose but never let anyone discourage you. Lisa gave some good general advice. I think the thread Lies posted is pretty much useless. Sorry Lies. There are a number of very knowledgeable people on here that can help you if they choose to. Keep reading threads on breeding and training and you will figure out who knows what they are talking about, and then there is the rest of us. Read Iceberg Breeders. That thread will give you an idea about the complexities of breeding. It's a good long read. Best wishes to you. __________________ Andy

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