Breeding

Before you decide to breed, spend a week volunteering at an animal shelter. Purebreds as well as mixed breeds are surrendered to shelters every day all across the country. Almost any breed can be found at a shelter at some point. Some of the purebreds I have seen include:
    an adult male wolfhound (he started my passion for them)
    several adult greyhounds
    cocker spaniels
    poodles
    retrievers (golden and Labrador)
    shih tzus
    German shepherds
    doberman pinschers
    lhasa apsos (these all too numerous to count)
    and even an Ibizan hound

I have also seen purebred litters of:

    Scottish terriers
    Labrador retrievers
    golden retrievers
    fox terriers (smooth)
    poodles
    cocker spaniels
    chow chows
    Brittanys
    Yorkshire terriers
    whippets

I am sure I could remember more if I chose to but I prefer to forget them on an intimate basis.

A truly responsible breeder:

    NEVER breeds before he places all the puppies
    ALWAYS requires a contract
    ALWAYS requires the return of the dog if it is not kept by the buyer

Puppy mills and backyard breeders will not hold to those three restrictions so there is no need to list more. If you decide to breed your dog, I hope you have considered every opinion I have posted on this web site.

Oak is the first un-neutered animal (except my macaw) that I have had since 1973. The only reason he is NOT neutered is because I have been bitten by the show bug. The whole purpose of the dog show is to judge breeding stock so neutered animals are not allowed. I intended to start his show career last year but family matters forced me to put it off. I cannot say where we will go from here. I do not foresee breeding because I don't think I could part with the puppies after tending to them for 12 weeks. If I ever did intentionally breed a dog, it would be with the intention of keeping ALL the puppies. (Yes, I have nightmares about having TWENTY pups!)

Oak is begging for attention, so this lecture is now closed.