Howdy

If I may..
 
This post has been a topic that in the past has inflamed the impassioned.  With no disrespect meant to Jlowe at all, I see this type of thread as indicating how this idog community will go with this forum's future.
 
Traditionally, the obvious is revealed to most idoggers; dog breeding is very sacred whether you own a Saluki, Gordon Setter, GSD, or a happy mutt from the pound.  How will we, as a community  collectively converse with others that, not surprisingly, don't ascribe to what is believed as being "responsible" or "fastidious"?
 
Trust me...I don't have the answers... I discuss this because I don't want the "new" status to be so "kind" that everyone fears that being "nice" matters.  It is great to see Jlowe join, as others.  The membership numbers and those visiting on this site have really taken off!  As a result, I hope that real, true, genuine debates will continue to appear. 
 
It is late..I am tired, but I hope I am not offending.  I thought Jlowe's pup was gorgeous.  I hope they stick around for the other entertaining threads and understand that, as many have indicated earlier, we love our dogs SO much that we act to encourage others not to randomly breed.
 
Peace
 
 

http://forum.dog.com/discus/messages/48/206291.html?1133032231
Thanks Kelly.  Now will this activate? 

OK Kelly I just realized that you had already activated it![8D]

I don't normally get involved on breeding posts (even though I occasionally read them) and I stay away from controversial posts.  However, I would like to say I thought everyone very politely stated their opinions and did not intend to be controversial.  More than one person warned this is a controversial topic.
 
Jlowe, you will find Idog to be a resource so helpful that you could never have imagined it.  My eyes have been opened to many things I never would have even thought to ask.  If the comments on breeding bother you, don't post about breeding, but please take advantage of everything else this site has to offer. If and when you decide to breed, you may find you need educated people to speak to and although they may not agree with your decision, they certainly will walk you through it as needed because after all they want the best possible for the dogs.  That being said... please research everything greatly before making a decision.  Jaime (amstaffy) is the moderator of the board and extremely knowledgeable and has only begun to share some of the unforeseen info about breeding that I have seen others post in the few breeding posts I have read.
 
Welcome to the site.

Welcome to the forum!
 
I have a full blooded mutt too who is my big baby! I haven't mircochip Blue yet, but I will be doing it soon I have heard great results from doing it.

Welcome Jenny and Cowboy!!! I am quite new here as well and have found so much helpful information.  The people are great and I just wanted to say congrats on the new pup and that he is sooo cute.  As far as breed that he is, my mom has a dog that has those same EXACT markings and he to is a mutt.  To my knowledge he is husky/shepherd/hound mix (nice combo huh).

Candace,
 I'm really glad you stuck it out...your situation is a little different, you're looking to raise dog for your sledding. You have a purpose in why your breeding dog to dog. Your not just interested in breeding dogs to suppliment your income or because you think they'd be cute or have homes for them.
 
Just as I have a purpose when I plan a breeding...I'm in need of a show dog, those who are created because of my need are available to go to pet homes which I ALWAYS have a waiting list for...some have been on that list for a few years since I haven't had an Am Staff litter since Jan 2000
 
Jlowe,
 You'll get a lot of information here. You might not agree with some of our views but we can put that aside to answer questions regarding breeding, whelping and such...we just mainly don't see an advantage to creating mixes when there are so many who are dying daily.
 
 

Welcome jlowe, I hope you decide to stay.  This forum really has a lot to offer, although some topics really get kind of heated.  Breeding, as you've noticed, is one of them. Max is chipped - he didn't seem to feel a thing.  Expect it to cost a little more than the advertised price though, because after the dog is chipped, the number has to be registered. The registration wound up costing me an extra $17 but I think it was worth it.

Congratulations to ALL of you.  This is THE nicest, kindest thread of "please don't breed" that I've ever seen.  JLowe may be gone, and I hope not, but I am just so impressed that this didn't deteriorate the way it has in the past.  Well done!

Wow, this is going to make me really unpopular, especially after twelvepaws's post, but...
 

  No offense to you personally-but I think this forum is not the place for me.

 
I totally agree, this is not the place for her.  I understand this forum is a great place for learning, but she has already shown us that she is a closed minded individual who is going to do whatever she darn well pleases.  Nothing any of us will say will stop her from breeding her wonderful dog.
 
She says she cares for Cowboy, and I don't doubt that one bit.  He is an adorable dog, and looks to be well loved.  However, because she loves him so much that she wants on of his offspring, she is risking him getting testicular cancer, prostate problems, perianal tumors, etc...
 
This isn't just because he is a mixed breed.  If he were a pure bred Rottweiler, I'd have the same feelings.  You DON'T breed a  dog just because he is smart or cute or because your family and friends or yourself want one "just like him..."  Because he is a mix, and she plans to breed him to another mix, who knows what the puppies may come out like.  There may not be one that looks or acts like Cowboy.
 
If she stays, and learns something and becomes  a responsible pet owner (ie doesn't breed her dog just because like she plans on doing) then I'd be one of the first to welcome her, but if she keeps the attitude she has, I say hit the road Jack.
 

Ouch.  But spoken by one who has HELD those babies as they are put to death.  So, yep, you've got every right to say it.
 
I too thought that we were all very rational and reasonable in our explanations of why this flat out is not a good idea, and frankly I was very surprised at the "wrong place for me" attitude.  Good golly, when poor Angel arrived with a pregnant bitch and questions she got JUMPED on hard!  The deed was already done and she was looking for help, but she got hammered.  And, SHE stayed and has learned a lot from this bunch.  Because she was willing to learn.  Golly, she even got hit pretty hard when she "revealed" what she was feeding her pups.  But she stuck around and LISTENED and learned and switched the food.
 
That's the kind of newbie that I personally like having.  One who is doing the best that they know HOW to do, but is willing to wade through the sometimes unpleasant reactions and LEARN how to do better.
 
I'm afraid I agree with Emily.  Anyone who immediately decides to leave because a handful of folks don't agree with her plans, well, that person wouldn't like get much from this forum.
 
And, yeah....we did do good, huh?

I wanted to say welcome Jenny to the forum. I don't know what everything is about here, but I've read a few posts and I read yours as well. I understand that you are being hurt by what people are saying, but you should know that these people are looking out for not only your interests, but the animals as well. There are always two sides to a coin, and they are just showing you the other. I know it is tough, but the truth never comes easy. I hope you do reconsider leaving if you are planning to. Believe me, you will learn a lot of information here, but you have to look past the words and look at the deeper meaning.

Thanks Glenda, I guess I was a little harsh, but it does bug me.  I usually try to be rational about things, and if the deed is done, like you said, its done and advice should be given to help the dog and to educated the owner.  But this one doesn't seem to be willing to learn unlike Angel who did stick around.
 
I don't like to see this board turn into a huge argument-I know we've seen that WAY too often lately, but something like this boils my blood.  Yes, I've held them as they've died, and I know you, Glenda, have taken care of someone else's carelessness and you've suffered because of it-especially when you lost dear Mr. Ears.
 
So, I do apoligize for being harsh, but I did mean what I said.  I just could have said it in a nicer way, I guess.

Jaime, Thanks that means alot to me.  I agree that my reasons for wanting to breed Crusher were different.  But I still am not going to do it.  And if in the future I do breed a husky mix it will be because they have proven themselves beyond a doubt on my team.  Both parents will have all the health checks done and I will keep all of the puppies myself, unless another musher wants one.  This will not be until I have enough money to take care of all of them.  Enough land so that they never have to leave it for exercise.  And there are no huskies in the nearby shelters for me to adopt.  Doesnt sound likely does it.  I could do like Glenda and just foster whole litters instead.  Of course I would be a failure at that cause they would never leave. 

Emily I think you said what we all wanted to say.  She said that she was a grown woman with kids, not a little girl pleading for a pony but... well whatever.  Some people are just not willing to listen to the truth.  I'm glad I did.  And I am glad I stuck around.  My dogs are too!