So, you have a “show dog.”  You've obtained a title or two (or more) on your show dog and now wish to delve into the world of dog breeding.

By now, you know canine anatomy inside and out, have memorized the breed standard, have mastered the breed’s purpose and nuances of breed type. Wait…You haven’t?  You’re putting the cart before the horse and that won’t work! Remember that when you force Mother Nature’s hand with a planned breeding, you alone are responsible for the outcome. This is why it’s important to do your homework.

Now ask yourself a simple question. Are you ready?

Are you ready for fourteen (+/-) years of dedication to a new generation of dogs and their owners? If, at the time of mating or time of the birth of the litter, you have done a fast forward on your calendar, highlighted the day the litter turns eight weeks and have arranged for a mass puppy pick up, are you a breeder or are you just selling puppies?

Are you ready to set the puppies you produce up for success? Are you ready to provide the new owners with the tools/skills they need to ensure this? Unless you have perfected your “owner vetting skills,” you can expect that one puppy from each/any breeding may be returned to you. Of course, life happens, but are you ready?

We live in a “get it now”/disposable society. Well before the pandemic, people were selling dogs for profit. Since the pandemic, people have become even more serious about pumping out litters. A flooded market demonstrates this.

Are you ready to provide the time? Do you have time to teach new puppy owners how to feed, crate train, brush, socialize and obedience train their puppies? You will be shocked to find how little your puppy buyers know of the basic tenets of canine care and ownership.

Do you have the time and room in your life to do justice to this litter? What are you keeping from this litter? If you have answered no or nothing to the above questions, are you a breeder or are you just selling puppies?