hmmm, a bit touchy are we? Maybe it is a guilty conscious? You post in a public forum, but dont like the answers you get so you get upset... dont ask if you dont want answers. Yes you originally asked about the size difference, but you are going to get all kinds of answers. You either need to grow thicker skin, or stay off the boards. I will fight to the death to save animals and if voicing my opinion on here or anywhere else can save just one litter of animals to be born, than I have done my job. I would love to put myself out of a job.... You do have the right to do what you want (I wish the laws were different) so good luck and remember the animals my co workers will be carrying to the dump in garbage bags today, cleaning up irresponsible people's mess.
No, I wouldn't do it. Aside from the overpopulation issue, the size difference between your two dogs is pretty extreme. You really need to take into account the conformation of your female. Is she broad enough through the pelvis to be able to give birth to larger puppies without issue? You say you're a first-time breeder: Would you be able to quickly recognize any complications and determine the best course of action? Temperament is also one of the most difficult traits to try and breed for—it's so greatly influenced by the dog's environment that I don't think you can make any guarantees or even guesses as to adult temperament when you wean a pup and send it to a new home at 8-10 weeks old. Genetics will play a role, sure, but upbringing, IME, plays a bigger role. And that's not something you can guarantee once the dog leaves your home. :neutral: I am not terribly stuck on the "breeding purebreds to purebreds" thing as that doesn't always mean the best overall individuals are the ones reproducing. However, the average owner puts a lot of value in a registered purebred, and those people may not be educated enough about conformation, genetic disorders, breed purpose, etc. to understand that one does not necessarily have to have a purebred to have an outstanding animal in terms of conformation, type, suitability for purpose, trainability, temperament, etc. Thus the market for purebreds is greater than that for unregistered mixes. Something else to consider: Should one (or more) of these puppies not work out in their new homes, would you be able and willing to take that puppy back if the owners asked you to? What if the owners didn't get it proper healthcare and it now has a chronic illness? What if the owners didn't train it at all and now it's a year old and thinks *everything* is its personal chew toy? And for the person who complained about the ridiculous requirements some rescues have—those requirements are in place for a reason. Yes, some of them appear to be excessive. But what those rescues (most, anyway), are trying to do is protect their investments. They have put a lot of time and money into each animal to get it healthy and evaluate its suitability for adoption. They don't want to see that animal end up in a bad home yet again—that's not fair to the animal and it ties up the rescue's resources when they have to take an animal back. Most rescues want more than anything to see their animals go to good forever homes; this opens up room to bring in more animals who need help. However, you can go to most county-run shelters, especially the more rural ones, and pay a small fee and take home any animal you want. Harnett County, for example, charges $20 to adopt a dog. The only thing you have to do after the adoption is show proof of rabies vaccination within 48 hours.
opcorn: (Don't think I ever used this before and I also think it is a mistake on so many levels to breed these animals).
Sit back and enjoy! LOL I guess I shouldnt type about animal breeding at the same time I have had to decide to euthanize the cutest newborn litter of kittens... sort of makes me grumpy.
The size difference was the initial concern. I don't think she needs to have puppies. I don't think she's broad enough to carry large puppies, if they do turn out large. If she developed any problems, I'd be more likely to rush her to the vet sooner rather than later, simply because of my fear of something happening to her. If the puppy didn't work out at their adopted home, we'd absolutely take them back and take great care of them, whether it was an acute problem or a long-term problem. That's one of the conditions of us letting these friends have one of the puppies. Thanks for your answer, it confirms what I've been saying all along. I appreciate it. At this point, I'm not going to allow her to breed, for a variety of reasons. I just don't think it's a good idea.
Guilty conscience? Hardly! I was being very conscietious and responsible. All my animals, except these 2, are fixed. Yeah, I am kinda touchy right now. My cat, Sammy, my very first foster kitty, died in my arms very suddenly Saturday night. One minute he was running and playing and the next minute he was having a seizure and died before I could even call a vet, so, yeah, I'm touchy. I'd had him more than 5 years. I had to bury him on Easter morning. I'm heartbroken and devastated over the loss of my cat. But I'm not going to run out and adopt another one today. When the right cat comes along, he'll be family. I am NOT an irresponsible pet owner. Never have been and never intend to be, so back off about how I'm being irresponsible. If more people were as responsible as I am, you wouldn't have a job to brag and boast about. I asked a question about breeding, in an effort to gain knowledge from those who knew about breeding specifics. I've tried to stay on-topic. My skin is plenty thick. I didn't post to get berated and abused. I posted, thinking and expecting (foolishly, evidently), to get reasonable answers. I know what the general opinion is of pet overpopulation because I actually share the same opinion. I fully believe that just because you CAN do something does not necessarily mean you SHOULD do it. Don't insult me because you have a sucky job. And talk about touchy? Go look in the mirror! :nopity:
