I have heard that people gets information from a mentor, is this like a dula, but for a dog?

Could you tell me where to get a mentor from, and what they do do?

Does it cost to have a mentor? I am very interested in maybe talking to one.

Thank you

I don't know what a dula is, but a mentor is a trusted experienced advisor. Any experienced person can be a mentor, to help guide you through the problems of showing and breeding. And no, it doesn't cost anything! The breeder of your dog (if successful and long-experienced in the breed) would be the ideal person.

Thank you, a dula is some one who helps a pregnant woman through labour, so it seems to me that it is the same.

Do you know where i can find a mentor from?

A mentor is generally your dog/bitches breeder, stud dog owner, or someone in your breed or perhaps others, whom you have a bond with who can talk and walk you through all to do with breeding, be there for you and someone to learn from.

A mentor comes into place well before a litter is planned and certainly before that litter is born.

If you are interested in talking to one :-D I guess you are using us as a surrogate mentor.

I note that you mated your bitch last year too, if your bitches breeder is not available, what about the owner of the stud dog?

a dula is some one who helps a pregnant woman through labour, so it seems to me that it is the same.

A mentor within the dog fancy is so much more than just the pregnancy and whelping part. I am currently having long discussions with one of mine (have one for each breed) about what stud dog to use both on one of my bitches in a few years time, and what dog to use on a bitch I bred and sold. Also discussing different judges, what their preferences are. Other topics that may come up (both breeds) will include grooming, training, feeding, behaviour in the specific breed -absolutely everything under the sun that is breed specific, really. I'm 11 years down the line with the breeder of my foundation bitch and still I have questions for her on almost a weekly basis. She has the knowledge because she's been there and done it for so long. Last year I phoned her in the middle of a visit to a stud dog when we were having problems getting the bitch mated, she's always happily there even after all this time. It was never a formal arrangement and I don't think it ever is, it's just a friendship that grows. Likewise with the one for my other breed -she's even happy to be called in the middle of the night if there is something.

Hi, Thank you, Yes i bred my bitch last year and every thing went very smooth. Had 6 healthy pups 3 boys and 3 girls.

The breeder i got her from seems to not want to know, i have tryed to speak to him on the phone and through email, he did not reply to my emails and was in a hurry to get off the phone.

The stud dog owners are lovely, i have asked a few questions to her and she has helped out a bit, but at the moment we are waiting to see if her stud and my bitch has produced some puppies. She does look pregnant now, i think i was too hasty to say she was not pregnant, and my vet i would have thought to scan my girl at 20 days pregnant would have known better if she was or not. At that time 20 days there was no signs of a pregnancy.

Honey seems to be not biting but sort of biting her sides, i dont know if this is a sign of her keeping clean or what, as i said she is not biting as such, hope you know what i mean.

Thank you again

Hey thanks for your message.

I see well that has helped me out alot now, i think the breeder i had the stud from is more than happy to answer any of my questions i think she has been a breeder and also does working her dogs for a good 15 to 20 years, she is brillient, so i think i will stay with her!

Thank you again

Sounds ideal. :-)

Having a mentor who knows your lines is priceless, they know which studs are likely to work and being in the breed for decades can introduce you to stud owners you may be wary as a newbie of approaching especially the big names.

I spend 2 or 3 hours at a stretch talking on the phone, the battery on the handset has died before now.

My mentors don't live locally but are there day and night if needs be to advise and reassure during a whelping, hopefully one day I can be there for someone else in my breed.

Hi Thank you.

The woman that i went to, to have her stud, Had bred him for his colour and his gental ways. i seen his mum and dad also his half sister, and they were all beautiful, the stud that i used had 0-0 hips 0 0 elbows and PRA done which to me is great and a bonus, im hoping she will be there for me as well we do email each other and she is a lovely lady.

I still ask questions, which is why im asking a lot on here.

Hope you get to be a mentor soon, as you seem to know what your saying.

Thank you again