hi blue
id no idea it was so hard to get hold of a well bred westie  :(

i think if the poster considers all the health issues youve raised,then im sure they would agree that breeding their westies ,not knowing much of their background,could be very risky. As in many breeds certain lines carry problems that may not arise until put to another line that also carrys that problem. this is why in all breeds its so important to know what lines your dogs contain.

Totally agree. :-)

I think the worst thing buyers do is buy impulsively.  They often say "I searched High and low" blah blah but never once called the breed club, or went along to a show.  ( This is not directed at the original poster) People often think and it includes all breeds that you can sit on a pc or look through a paper and get a well bred , socialised, healthy quality puppy at that particular weekend.  It just isn't like that in the real world.  Never a truer saying good things come to those who wait. :-))

i know in my breed,border collies,there is a HUGE variation in the different types,/
eg NZ or english breeding
KC or isds
breed or "activity bred"

the only way to know what you like,is to go out there & look.

im really hopeful here that the poster will now start to have a real good look around at lines that they really like.

personally theres nothing like planning & then waiting fingers crossed for that special puppy to be born

Just I am right now Michelle ;)

To be honest the poster has lost nothing now other thatn a little time in ehr aims to become a good Westie breeder.  She/He is obviously ready for a new companion now, so can spend a few months getting to know the breed and breeders and booking a pup from lines they like.  This will take nothing away from ehr exixting companions who can be happily neutered, and the new bitch pup can be shown trained and in the fullness of time with it's breeders help and all the new knowledge the poster will have gained over the next two years or do, a lovely well thought out litter  can be bred :D

Good luck.  You may find that you are initially greeted with a little suspicion by some breed lovers when you tell them you want to breed, as they may be afraid that you are just someone who wants to jump on the popularity bandwagon, but if you attend some shows and show a genuine interest I am sure they will unbend and give you the help you need.

I wonder if this site would be of interest? It seems to have quite a lot of information.
:)

Happyrdm
it is very refreshing and rewarding that you have listened to advice given and have decided to take the right course of action by not breeding from your current dogs.
So many people come on here,ask questions and then rant and rave when the answers are not what they want to hear.
It is obvious you love your dogs...and just as importantly 'your breed' as when you do as you have done it shows you are not out to breed just for the sake of financial gain but for the right reasons...the good of the breed....well done
Archer

I've been watching this thread with interest, as I don't breed and have no intention of breeding, but am often shocked by the 'I want to so I'm going to and nobodies going to tell me not to' brigade and full marks to the OP for listening and taking on board the advise he's been given  If only there were more owners like you out there OP :)

No, mug is the wrong word! 

As a professional groomer, I was always worried when one of my clients bought a new puppy.  If I knew that was what they were going to do, then I would try to steer them in the right direction but most families buy a new puppy every 15 or so years and have no idea how the world of dogs and dog breeding has changed over the past 50 years. 

In those days (I'm nearly old enough to remember! ) dog breeders were passionate enthuiasts, usually wealthy people with plenty of space to keep many, many dogs, as it was not as easy to travel as it is these days.  If the average family had a dog, it was a mongrel from the lady up the road because her bitch got out!!
These days, the breed enthusiasts are still around, trying to maintain the quality of the breed, testing for any hereditary problems that have come to light, and sincerely doing their best to breed happy, healthy pups, considering themselves custodians of their chosen breed to pass on to the next generation.  A caring breeder will be concerned about where her pups are going to live, ask loads of questions, keep in touch with the new owners, and provide back-up from their many years of experience should the pup or new owners experience any problems.

Unfortunately there are now people who see producing puppies as a means to making a fast buck!  They have no health tests done on their breeding stock, keep them in poor conditions, breed from their bitches every season (one reason why pups are not registered!) and use cheap food etc so that they can make maximum profit.  They breed any pedigree dog to any pedigree bitch with no knowledge of genetics to know what they might produce, have no experience to pass on to the new owners, do not care where their pups will go, and so long as you can pay the money asked, then you can have a puppy!

Those of us who have worked with dogs have spent many hours doing our best to help and sharing the grief of those usually lovely families who have bought from such a puppy producer in complete ignorance.

Many of the posters on this board are very involved with their chosen breeds and care deeply about the future of them.  Maybe this begins to explain why the requests for mating a pet bitch or offering a pet dog at stud is sometimes answered with short shrift!

So you see, you're not a mug.  I'm sure that I would know nothing about your passion in life!!  

PS  Your Vet is like you GP - OK for general things.  But eyes have to be tested by a Veterinary Opthalmologist, and as there aren't that many in the country, the chances of your Vet being one is quite remote!  He would have certainly charged you extra for his professional services if he was!

Then your dogs must be registered if they have had their hips scored, I now know they can be eye tested withoiut being registered, but not the hip scoring