Could I please ask this question.  Having read all the posts about whether to breed or not.  How do all you "experts" out there find the time to breed when you all seem to be on this forum all the time?  Thought being a breeder required 24/7 total commitment.

I dont think committed and ethical breeders breed 24/7

That too Lel :D

Christine, Spain.

It certainly does guest, but happy,healthy, contented pups & dogs do sleep you know  ;) :D :D

Christine, Spain.

It may be 24/7 while there is a litter, but ethical breeders dont have litters all the time.

Ethical breeder do not breed that often, hands up those who have had a litter this year that bred a litter last year, if you did tell us why so people understand what responsible breeding means. And hand up those who have only breed twice in the last 10 years, about the same I bet. And some of us have never felt that our stock is suitable for breeding so have either never done it or have tried once and then thought better of it or run out of funds.

My mind never ceases to boggle at the way some people seem to view the caring breeder, there is so little understanding it is no wonder that the puppy farms thrive it is easer for the GP not to confront the facts and if they want a pup they go buy one as they would a cabbage.

<<<it is easer for the GP not to confront the facts and if they want a pup they go buy one as they would a cabbage. >>>

and unfortunately some people treat an animal with as much respect

So you have never bred then Jackie?

Not my present breed, no, have all males and have turned down all requests to use them at stud because I feel they are not good enough. Before that, I was sorting out dogs from rescue that would have and were put to sleep if they could not be retrained, so no way would I have breed from them. Before that is too far in the past to be relevant. But my family and friends do and I have been involved in that. Just because I have not considered my dogs suitable for being used at stud does not mean I have no interest in my breed in particular and all dogs in general. Do you not agree with that, if not lets know what you are thinking.

Ahhh but I thoguht we all had litters in the study...or laptops with wireless networking to go into the whelping room....so we're with puppies 24/7 and on here!!!!

From someone who only heped help one litter 6 years ago before most people had PCs!!!!!!!!

Well I have a litter about 6' away from my laptop, and have been in attendance on the litter 24/7 (apart from the odd trip to the loo which is about 12' away :) )for the last 10 days.  So in the last 10 days have had a lot of times for champdogs adn various other computer based projects without being out of sight or sound of my babes.  I will be leaving them next Friday and Sturday to go to Blackpool show, but will be handing the reins of care over to my kennel helper, who will be as vigilant as I am, being completely besotted by my little "fatties"

Does it occur to anyone else we are getting a whole lot of rather critical guest posts recently?
bye
Gwen

:rolleyes: Gwen

>> Does it occur to anyone else we are getting a whole lot of rather critical guest posts recently?

From what I've read, many of the critical posts come from people who don't want to be told that good, responsible breeding takes a lot of effort, knowledge of the breed and should not be done just because they like the idea of breeding. 

Some other guests post crytic one or two sentence posts and then expect everyone replying to be fully aware of all their circumstances.

Personally, I wonder if the vistors' section does more harm than good.  Very few guests seem to join the forum to reply to the answers on the visitors' posts, so it is often impossible to answer guest questions properly, because of limited information.  As a result, you can only answer based on that limited information, which upsets some guests who clearly expect people to be mind readers....

Personally, I wonder if the vistors' section does more harm than good.  Very few guests seem to join the forum to reply to the answers on the visitors' posts, so it is often impossible to answer guest questions properly, because of limited information.  As a result, you can only answer based on that limited information, which upsets some guests who clearly expect people to be mind readers....

Probably because they are too apprehensive to respond. Perhaps if everyone was a little more welcoming and a little more polite before jumping down posters throats then they might actually get their point across better to a mroe receptive audience :)

I don't know Chloe, Some I know are a waste of space but I get quite a few people continue their post by emailing me so I like to think the board has helped quite a few people. More people that just a straight read on here might point too.

Best wishes, John

Thats interesting to know John. I have been quite disheartened by this board recently as I can't see how will the board encourage new members to join when they post a question and are frightened off by somewhat aggressive and hostile responses by some. You are always polite (except if I were to say I was taking up breeding labradoodledalmahounds for example :D ) and clearly that shows if people feel they can approach you off the board :)

If you took up breeding labradoodledalmahounds then I can guarantee you would not like my post ;)

There is actually some wonderful advice on here Chloe, just read a selection of posts at random. Miss out the long threads, they are always contentious, that why they are long! Read the short ones and you will find, time and again, that a question has been asked and answered. No messing, no histrionics, just good advice.

Best wishes, John

Gwen,

I was thinking the same. Struggled the last few days to find one to join in on.. :-(

Best ignored I guess.

Can only think that people do not realise that even those of us who buy dogs in, do almost as much research as the breeder of our pup, and that we know what is involved even if we don't breed for our selves or have given up doing so. When you enquire about a mating you are sent the pedigrees of both animals, you don't have to ask, the breeder knows you will want the information, that is unless they assume you already know. Most of us spend our time talking, reading, studding and watching dogs, caring, feeding, grooming and exercising dogs and yes we do that 24/7 just ask my Husband.

>> Does it occur to anyone else we are getting a whole lot of rather critical guest posts recently?

<<

Happens every now and again - mostly at half term - this one is early. One does wonder if it is a concerted effort or if people just jump on the slagging band waggon :)

This isn't the first time someone has posted this question on this board - calling all breeders, dont even entertain them with an answer!

OHHHH NO...summer hols in 4 weeks!! OMG...7 weeks of it!
Archer

<<<summer hols in 4 weeks>>>

OMG!!!
Did you really have to remind me :rolleyes:

I posted a question as a guest because it was something i wanted to know. I didnt want to appear stupid and i thought the question might get some cheeky replies and i was right it did. The question meant a lot to me & i feel the visitors board is a place you can ask something without looking a fool 

Jean

Then I think all of us regulars need a slap on the wrist if we make people feel stupid for asking a question :(
No one knows everything and no one should pretend to :(

Im still here so dont bother about it it was a few weeks ago.

Jean

Don't think it is the questions that causes trouble unless everything that is suggested is shot down in flames. It is more likely to be the guests who appear to make a statement, that makes the replies urgent and to the point in the hope we can save someone from making a damaging misstake.

John, you are right heated debaits are often followed by e-mails or PM's where you can explain in detail why and what. So yes I hope we continue to help when asked.

I agree with John that mostly on this board, there is good sound advice given, and I am sure that many of the posters - whether members or guests appreciate the advice given. Obviously there will always be folk who get upset or angry if the advice given is not what they want to hear, but as long as they give careful consideration to that advice, surely we have helped. I do however enjoy the long contentious threads as I think it gives a good insight into the other members here and helps us to find out how others think. I always think that many people air their views better on a site like this than face to face as they are more prepared to be outspoken and (rightly or wrongly :) ) less diplomamatic thereby making it easier to get to know peoples views in a much shorter time than it would take if we met in person. 

I've made a resolution to be "kind" and patient in my responses to questions, and try and answer positively - if I can't do this, then I've resolved not to answer!!!

Sometimes though I just HAVE to answer with a snap!

Margot

I have a litter of pups at the moment they are in my bedroom( at the side of the bed) and so is the computer, between me and my husband and daughter there is someone here with the 24/7, there will be someone with them untill they are 4 weeks old, then they will be moved into the spare room, were there is also a computer, most of the work done while babysitting the pups will be dog connected, have even made contact with people in Russia and Tiwan while puppy sitting, that have the same breeds as me,I do not know how I get on a lot of the sites, not great on the computer but you learn from these contacts that normally you would not have time to do if you did not have the pups. Even when the pups are moved into there own room and in to the outside run of fine days we have camera's so they are still watched all the time.When you have a litter you take 8 weeks + out of you life to devote to them, and that is part of the pleasure of having a litter of having the pups as you sense that feeling of achievment when you see them go off to there new homes, and know that they pups that you keep from that litter will bring you years of pleasure.