I can't speak from vast experience here, but I believe you'd have better
luck starting out if you look to working dog breeders rather than show
dog breeders.  Besides increasing the likelihood of getting the
abilities you want, I think you might find them more flexible as to
future breeding.

Also, you may find breeders uncomfortable selling a pup to someone who
says they *plan* to breed -- there's no way to know for sure whether any
given pup will grow up to have the right mix of
health/temperament/abilities to make breeding a good idea.  Just
speaking for myself, I would be worried for two reasons 1) that you
might breed an unsuitable dog (if the pup wasn't breeding quality in the
end) and 2) you might give up the dog if it didn't meet your breeding
goals.  On the other hand, I personally don't have a problem with a
responsible buyer keeping breeding as an option (by keeping a pup intact
until it's older).  Not everyone requires spay/neuter contracts.

If you really want a breeding dog, you'd probably do well to get an
adult that's already "proven" itself.  They do come available now and
then.

Mary Peaslee
[log in to unmask]



> Having talked with a number of breeders of the AKC recognized herding
> breeds, I have noticed most would be unwilling to allow one of their
dogs to
> go into a program where a cross was going to be made. I see this as a
real
> pity. I do understand they want to safegard their dogs from ending up
as
> puppy mill stock etc. If a person can provide a good home for the
breeding
> dog, let them grow up as part of the family, and also follow through
on
> testing for hip dysplasia (sp?), eye problems etc, wouldn't it be just
as
> good of a home in the eyes of the seller/breeder?  I'm just wondering
how
> you begin really when most breeding stock is only available to "show
homes".
> I'm not ready to do this myself, but someday would like to work in
this
> direction. ( I hope I didn't make that clear as mud. )
>
> Thanks,
> Lynn L. / Wi