Oh no! BYB! (long) What do I say?

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Oh no! BYB! (long) What do I say?

Posted : 3/28/2007 12:17:30 PM

Sorry, this is a cross post.... I just thought it would get more traffic here. Sorry if that's a bad thing to do.

My sister is going to be a BYB. [

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She has 2 dogs (both bitches) and has decided that they are going to become "breeders of labs and jack russels" (because that's the kind of dogs they have).

Not a breed enthusiast
not even a dog enthusiast really
not very dog-savvy
I don't think either dog is show standard
neither has competed in shows or working trials (yet - that may change)
no health tests have been done (that may also change)
the lab isn't old enough to have had hip scores
she has not consulted the breeders where she got the dogs (or anyone other knowledgeable, ethical proffessional type person, like a vet)
she does not have a mentor.

I don't think she has the faintest clue about genetics, genetic mapping, comparing lines and pedigrees and finding the studs to compliment the bitches.... I don't even think she knows how closely either dog matches the Standard, I don't think it's occurred to her that either dog might not be "worthy" of being bred... I really think she does think it is as simple as finding an intact dog of the same breed!!! The best to hope for is that she will find a "good" stud (a popular one who has won a lot of stuff), but: A. The owner of such a stud won't breed theior dog to just anyone!! B. That would be expensive and C.The stud is only likely to get "good" puppies on her dog if he has already been proven to produce good offspring on a similar bitch with similar traits.... I don't sthink she gets any of this, I don't think she's even considered it and I don't know how to enlighten her without sounding like an insufferable know-it-all!

I think she will do some things (like the scores, possibly field trials for the lab) but I can't say hand on heart that I believe

oor results will affect her decision to breed either dog, she seems pretty dead set on it regardless to be honest.

I have plainly said I don't agree with breeding dogs for money, that it's pretty selfish considering the over population problem and fultile if you intend to do it properly becuase it is such an expensive venture. I've also recounted as many horror stories as I think of about what could go wrong in the mating, whelping and homing process but she seems undeterred. I don't want to fall out over this - What do I say??!!!

rwbeagles

Posted : 3/28/2007 12:26:13 PM

Chuffy, [

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What you might do is leave this here for present...and ask the mod over at Health (that being *Jill_B* or Personal Champ)...to move your other post, along with it's replies, here...and then I can delete this one. Unfortunately I cannot move it for you as it's not my area.

I do think you will get more looks here...or even in General Chat. I understand the reason for the cross post [

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