Hi everyone, at the seminar that I attended recently I couldn`t help but notice an absence of youngish breeders. A lot of the people who attended were, how should I put this, not in their first flush of youth! I have been wondering why, where were they & what could be the reason for them not being there.
The speakers did not take a fee & the woman who organised it made no money from of it & the cost was only £12.50. The speakers are experts in their own fields & for me it was a golden opportunity to hear them speak & be able to put questions to them.
The price also included soft drinks tea & coffee on arrival, elevenses & 2 course lunch & all the notes typed out very professionally. Very good value as far as I`m concerned!
Was it lack of publicity for the seminar or something else? Would be very interested to hear what others think.
Christine2

Has anyone ever done a survey on who actually breeds dogs though?

I would imagine (and I really DON'T know for a fact) that most breeders are older people , who have more time on their hands , have had and raised their families etc etc

I know when I was younger that I couldnt have got into breeding dogs because of lack of funds - and too many children :)

What do the other forum members think?

I know when I was younger that I couldnt have got into breeding dogs because of lack of funds - and too many children.

Yep, that's me - plus the minor fact that Holly isn't breeding quality :D :D

For my 30th birthday Chris has promised me a bitch that's good enough to be bred from, and the time to show her properly (he said that in front of my mum so he can't worm his way out of it!). All we need to do is finally decide on a breed!!

Fiona
x x x

But Fiona you did get into breeding hence the children. JH

Hi Melodysk, well I think I`ve seen a few posts on here from young breeders.Or thats the impression I`ve got anyway, maybe I`m wrong!
Christine2

Ooh no ..not necessarily Christine ..I didnt mean there were none ..I was just wondering if it was an older persons thing :)

Melody

Sorry Christine- I'm not experienced enough to answer you- YET:) It's the same story with every breed I think- I know the GSD column in Dg World are always going on about this. I've just bought my first and I am defignately planning on this being our start of something much bigger- the whole dog scene is just too tempting:) I emailed the GSD league regarding a book I'm searching for that's out of print asking if it was possible to send in a payt for an ad to be included in their next newsletter. I too commented on how they're always saying they don't know where the future lies are there are no new/ young people joining this circle but I thought they would like to know that I'm young and new and planning on bigger things as I recently visited the Derbyshire show and loved it, and would love to see my bitch in the ring- even if she didn't get anywhere (not for the lack of trying at least), I commented on how I thought at this early stage the two day national was somewhat out of my reach but I was happy to attend the Derbyshire- dogless. I will also be attending the West Yorks show in July with my bitch so that I could possibly get a few more opinions- as I know she was a very big decision for the breeder whether to keep mine or the one she has as they were both the top bitches in the litter. I even commented that the Sire of my pup was the Chairman of the league! It's been over a fortnight later and still no reply:( The refreshments and facilities weren't very good though but on a whole I did enjoy myself and can't wait to see what the future holds. There are probably lots of people like me but unfortunately it does seem like quite a clicky group of people with the odd one or two approaching us to spare us a few minutes- maybe next time eh- when we have a dog in tow:)

Stacey x x x

Hi Kash, well if you are planning to breed as well as show, do you think it a good idea to go to seminars being held on breeding matters?
Christine2

Defignately- I think it's publicity that's the problem here:)- speaking from the outside trying to get in so to speak:) I'm way off it yet any of them;) I didn't take my dog to the show because she's only just had her second jab today but I still made the effort to go along to see what went on etc and what they look for, what he other dogs are like etc;)

Stacey x x x

Let me change the first part of my 1st post- the chairman of the league I emailed owns the Sire of my pup- I haven't been emailing dogs:) I would have thought that she would at least have an interest as a *responsible* stud owner? The breeder herself has been marvellous:)

Stacey x x x

Hi, I think we may have our wires crossed! The seminar wasn`t about showing it was about breeding. The agenda was autoimmune diseases,genetics, nutrition & vaccines, but even if you are only thinking about breeding don`t you think its a good idea to go along to things like this?
Christine

Had I known about it in time, I'd have been there. I've just subscribed to the dog papers so I'm hoping I'll find some more info about these types of things in time to make arrangements.

Hope to meet you at one, one day.

Fiona
x x x

I would love to go to seminars but its usually the distance that puts me off. As I am single there is no one at home for the dogs left and if it is a full day away it isnt possible.

Hi bec, me old mucker, New bitch arriving Wed week, I have a gut feeling she will need clipping off!!! Any chance of a haircut for her please? tytytyt

Hi Fiona, hope to meet you one day as well. So it could be the publicity then, well if I hear of anymore I will let you all know asap & will ask Leigh to put it in Diary of Events. I heard about this one on K9health & I have heard about another one in Nov on Britbarf, but no details yet.
Christine2

LOL You lot do make me laugh!! Ok then Ive read your replies, some didn`t know in time some can`t get away for a whole day, so what about if I put the info on here about where to get the notes? They only cost £2. 50 or something plus £1 p&p. Claire put it on some where else. Would any one be interested?

To give you an idea on the topics that were discussed
Addisons
Hypothyroidism
Aiha
Lupis
Health Implication of In-Breeding
Nutrition
New Vaccine Protocols
Diagnosinis of Diseases

These are just some of the things discussed in the notes & its pretty in depth. Let me know.
Christine2

Christine- I am very interested in it all like I say I just can't break into the serious world- I feel like I'm being kept at arms length in the pet section;)- let me know notes would be appreciated:) Hope I haven't offended you with all my posts- I'm just trying to put it as I'm finding it:) And who better to advise than a young hopeful:)

Stacey x x x

Sorry Christine - the first part up to the first winked smiley was aimed at your question- my fault for jabbering on after;)

Stacey x x x

The book in question that I'm searching for (see my original post) the reason I emailed the league- is about genetics and by Malcolm Willis so yes I would have loved to attend had I known:) Like I say it's the publicity thing.

Stacey x x x

What do we mean by YOUNG JH

Early twenties- in my case:)

Stacey x x x

HaHa ha Jackie I just knew this was going to come up! Lets try & be diplomatic & say under 50?? What do you call young then????
Christine2

Lets try & be diplomatic & say under 50??

PHEW! OK for a couple of years yet :-) :-)

Hi sharon, have your drinking head on tomorrow,lol :)

Phil, be very, very careful .... if I drink, I've been known to sing, and I'd hate to scare the dogs that badly:D. See you mid-afternoon all being well.

lol You and me both. I would never ever win a prize for singing, thats for sure. :)

Phil, I can't even carry a tune in a bucket - mainly because the bucket won't put up with it :-)!

Jackie, I wanted to ask that too :D!

People put a lot of time into organising seminars. They are usually organised by breed clubs but often not restricted to just that breed. From what I have seen of the one Christine went too it was well worth anyone going whether they intend breeding at the moment or not. On the occasions I've been to seminars most people seem to be in the 50+ age group but in my experience most breeders seem to be in the 30 to 40 area (Could be just the circle i move in and also the fact that EVERYONE seems young to me!!!!!!) There is so much information out there for anyone who wants to learn.

Regards, John

I agree John- I'm sure they are excellent and a very good source of info:) Like I say it's the publicity thing that's the problem. I subscribe to Dog World, Your Dog, Dogs Monthly and the National GSD mag but lets look at two examples of seminars in the Dog World paper;

Westbury CS, details given of venue, time etc, Canine question time - ask the experts, a few names I don't recognise (they may not be GSD) and two phone numbers to contact. Fair enough the CS could stand for Cocker Spaniel now that I use my brain;) But how do I know that? How would a new comer know that? Lots of the things in these use initials and they're not all for breeds? If it stated whether it was cocker spaniels or general behaviourists then I would be able to decide to go or not. Someone just starting may not even know if there's a Westbury Cocker Spaniel group or not- I don't know the GSD one's.

Derbyshire Canine Centre, place, time, price etc- this one says 'How to have a happy well behaved pet' I still don't recognise the name but I'm going because it's obviously open to all breeds.

Do you see what I'm getting at? Please don't anyone take offence (especially if you've organised the first one mentioned;)) I'm saying this purely as an outsider trying to get in:)

When I attended the Derbyshire GSD show the other week- I saw it as an advert in Dog World. I didn't know or see the 2 day national (biggest annual event in GSD's) was on that weekend too. In my GSD mag- it has listings for the show dates- here's an example of that;

17th Aug- NAVAN WKG & PASTORAL (D/B) Brigid Fahy-Newlands- What is it? Where? Tel no for schedules? Which club?

Another example;

15th Sept- SOUTH WESTERN GSDC (D) Carol Eastwood, (B) Brigid Fahy-Newlands- Sylvia Kozhevar - Tel:01963 362699- Where is it?- If I phoned asking that they'd probably pull a funny face- At least it says where, the club and tel no for schedules. How do I know where the South Western GSD club hold their shows- at least the Sheffield one I can guess it's somewhere in Sheffield!

Please no one be offended by this (especially not the organisers of the events;)) I'm trying to give my honest opinion- it may seem simple to someone already in the circle but not to someone trying to get into the circle. Like I say- look at the response (or lack of) I've received over my enquiry with the league:( It's also made harder as a lot of people who know these *simple* things make you feel ridiculed, maybe unintentionally but honestly that's how you feel. Remember the question's only easy if you knoiw the answer and where are you meant to find that from?

Stacey x x x

ah but is the CS actually Canine Society ?????

Ahh my point exactly Sara:) How do I know what breed this relates to- as it doesn't say behaviourists or anything does it. What if the experts aren't GSD- again how would I know?

Stacey x x x

Hi Kash maybe I can begin to explain the Westbury one. CS will stand for Canine Society. The speakers include Mike Stockman and Jessica Holm. If you've ever been interested to watch Crufts on TV, Mike Stockman is on most, if not all years. He's the man with big dark rimmed glasses. He's a Vet who's been involved with the dog scene since ...... Then Jessica Holm is the lady who talks, took over from Angela Rippon! The other 2 panelists I don't know but Kash, whether they are our own breed or not, we can learn so much from listening to and asking questions from other doggy people, often with more experience than ourselves. The person to contact is Gary Gray. He was on the front page of Dog World 24th May handling a GSD to BIS at SKC. Sorry here we go again, Best In Show at Scottisk Kennel Club!
You see, there is so much knowledge and information out there and opportunities for everyone to learn from others' experience. That's why many of us encourage newcomers to show, work or whatever their dogs, before they ever think about having a litter. Once you start to mix with other doggy people, you pick up so much knowledge and questions like "where do I find a stud" or "how do I know if my bitch is pregnant" or "when should I start weaning my puppies" would be unnecessary because the information would have been gained before the thought of breeding.
My thoughts Kash are if there is a seminar within reasonable travelling distance, even if you think that the subject may not be of interest, go. You'll be amazed how much you will soak up! Go and enjoy.

That's my point though Val- I don't know- and for someone who hasn't found a board like this one- how would someone who hasn't got a resource like this know? I'm lucky enough to come on here- it was here that I got info regarding shows and whether you have to pay or not- can you just turn up- do you need to have arranged it first? I can't say either way if I will breed in the future or not- I love my bitch to bits and wouldn't ever risk her- plus her breeder always keeps bitches to keep her line going so I can always just buy another relation off her without having to go to the trouble, worry and expense of it all:) I am showing though:) I will defignately go to seminars etc but like I say it's understanding the lingo. Please don't think I'm a big head or anything who thinks they know it all- I never will know it all- I'm merely trying to show you the other side of the coin:) Like I say- I'm lucky- I've got you guys:)

Stacey x x x

P.S; To breed my bitch isn't that simple anyway- she had endorsements on her Kc- which I could probably get lifted- if I proved to the breeder I was the einstein of dogs:D

Don't think that you're big headed at all Kash. It's a joy to meet someone on here who is interested to learn. My comments about breeding weren't directed at you, just generally.
Nothing is so simple that it can't be misunderstood! And the lingo is something that we all take for granted but it's just another language to learn.
If you can get to Westbury I'm sure you'd enjoy it - and it's cheap!

Kash don`t ever feel afraid to ask because you may be ridiculed. Anyone who does that to another person is an ignoramous! And needs treating with the contempt they deserve, they are the fools not you. How else do we learn if we never ask??? Now if you are interested in any seminar or something else why don`t you just ring up & ask what ever it is you want to know. The one I went to was organized by Jo Tucker who has Beardies & they are prone to Addisons disease, but I knew Jean Dodds was speaking & she is an expert on autoimmune & Geoff Sampson is Genetics coordinator and they are issues for all breeds. I have Labs by the way. See what I`m saying.....health affects all breeds as does breeding.
By the way I wish they would put an explanation on the abbreviations cos I don`t know half of them either!
Christine2

See- how can you learn the lingo if you've no one to learn it off? And Christine- I'm afraid too many people are quite ignorant to newcomers- thre are some who are nice though too:) You are both a lot of help I admit that but imagine someone who doesn't know you two- where do they start? I'm just trying to answer your original question of the numbers:) You've both explained the Westbury part to me- but for someone who doesn't know

Stacey x x x

Let me also just add (quickly as it's late and I'm off to bed:)) look back to my original point regarding the GSD league that I emailed- the general plan was to let them know that people do want to know more and break into their little circle- since they're always going on about numbers- I haven't had a reply:( Had they replied I could have answered back and extended the issue further and found out even more.

Stacey x x x

Kash I`m still a newcomer so I know how it feels. Its just I had a lot of things happen & was thrown in the deep end so to speak. But I found nice people & youve found nice people so they are out there. I think you have to prove yourself to them that you are a genuine person with your breeds wlfare at heart,(not you personally, general) thats all & this takes time. Most of the people I have met in dogs are very genuine & helpful.
Christine2

ive done a few but didnt see that one! as for age and breeders, -im the same age as christine ive shown around 20 years now BUT!!! ive only just started breeding around 5 year ago ,and have in total bred 4 litters, -why, ??? firstly i was raising a family, , housework etc, . also i didnt know anything, ive listened .looked and learnt, and have at last decided i may have something to offer, , as the familys up and gone i can treat myself to as much puppy watching and time wasting as i like :D

Dizzy&*^¬^¬^**++#<><>
You know I cant do the smileys on here!!! Don`t you go tellin on me! Think I`m younger than you ¬*¬*!!!

Just another new language to learn Christine!
:p ;) :o :( :D :rolleyes:

--------of course you are :D, must of got confused , my mistake :rolleyes:!!!!!
cough cough!!! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
and you're right, you cant do smileys on here :d, well at least part of your mail was right :D :D :D :D

:) ;) :o :p
testing

I don`t believe it has just worked :) I have tried in the past but just gave up as I spent to long trying :p
Now Iv`e just got to remember which signs are for which smilies
Christine2

Would love to be able to attend seminars as I am very interested in everything to do with Dogs and Showing, but living in Guernsey it is rather expensive to travel over for them and with getting over for Shows as well :(

Maybe somebody would like to come over to Guernsey and do one :D

Have to agreed that the Breeding is done by older people or those that don't have a 9-5 job. I would love to start off my own line in Cocker Spaniels but just haven't got the time or money at present. But this is something that I hope to get into in the not too distant future :D

Hi Dessie I live in Spain so know how you feel! Why don`t you suggest it to your breed club over there & if there is enough interest maybe they could organise one.
Christine2

Hi Christine

We don't have a specific Breed Club just a general Dog Club for Show enthusiasts. I am trying to organise a Discover Dogs Event but it is like banging your head against a brick wall. But hopefully I will manage to get it organised for this year.