Dachshound breeding question.

Liesje

When people purchase BYB dogs it tells me that they don't have a problem financially supporting breeding that is detrimental to the breed.  That is not a judgment call but a fact.  For someone that is simply looking for their next pet and has no commitment to the breed, I can see where it wouldn't really be a big deal, but for those that are very involved with a breed as a whole it is extremely frustrating to say the least.

And how esp. on the dog lover thing...that is exactly how I feel.

I know I've only worked in the shelter for about a month now and have only been volunteering since August, however, I have seen so many sad things.  When people bring litters of puppies to the shelter because of whatever messed up reason they may have, those puppies are adopted so fast.  Sometimes they are only there for 24 hours.  Great!  They have a home.  BUT, what about Rio who has been sitting in a cage since July 16, or Rocko, since July 28, or Annie since mid July???  What about them?  When will they have their chance?  Who knows?  It may never come and they may deteriorate and need to be PTS.  If less puppies came in, maybe those dogs would have a chance.  They aren't old dogs, but they are about 1-2 years and most people coming in to get puppies have no idea what they are getting themselves into.

And even if those puppies aren't brought to the shelter, the people who take your puppies won't go to the shelter and won't see those poor dogs who don't have homes yet.  If it were me, I would buy from a reputable breeder if I was looking for a pure bred dog, or I would go to a shelter or a rescue.  I have learned a lot from this board and I know I would never want to breed my own dogs.  Too many things could go wrong.  Are you prepared to lose your female just because you think you can get a carbon copy of your male out of her?  I don't think that will make you feel very good.  You are not experienced and it doesn't sound like you would be prepared if something went wrong.

 I wasn't going to post here, as I usually try to stay away from these threads since emotions run high, but I couldn't help myself. Your never going to get a dog like your male. It's just not possible. I also don't think anyone should breed unless it's to maintain the breed standard and in order for that, you should be showing/competing your dog (both of them). Also, are you prepared to deal with an emergency situation, which could cost thousands? Sure, it might not happen, but difficult pregnancies and/or births can occur. What if you lose the female during the birth or what if she refuses to care for the pups or can't due to some injury or illness? Are you fully prepared for the amount of work it would take to raise newborns? What screening process do you have in place to decide who can take a puppy? Are you willing and able to take a puppy back for any reason?

Personally, as a dog owner of a pure bred, I would stay far far away from anyone who doesn't show, isn't involved in the breed and is breeding just because they wanted puppies (regardless if its to have a puppy from a current dog, have their children experience the miracle of life, etc.). Ari's breeder is heavily involved in showing, with the breed in general and breeds in hopes of improving and maintaining the standards of the breed. She has health papers not only of her bitch and the sire, but generations back on both sides. THAT is something I want from my breeder. She screened us carefully, even met us in person - just as we screened her. If for any reason we cannot care for Ari, she's to go back to the breeder or she must be consulted about Ari's new home prior to any decision being made. It's in our contract (will you have one?). It shows me that even after the puppies have been placed, she still cares very much about them. Our contract also stipulated regarding Ari being spayed since she is pet quality, and should NOT be bred because honestly she wouldn't help the breed any. She has faults (don't tell her that though lol).

I would never purchase a dog from anyone whose standards are less than those of Ari's breeder, regardless if profit was of no concern to them. I strongly encourage ANYONE interested in breeding to join a breed group, meet with breeders, find a mentor and work in showing first and foremost.

Expounding on that a bit, Sharon, even if the OP were to CLONE her male, she would not have the same sweet boy.  A great deal of what makes our dogs who they are comes from their life experiences, and try as we might, there is no way to duplicate all of those things.

I think the idea of breeding these two dogs is a bad idea and could have bad consequences for these most likely wonderful dogs and thier puppies.

But many have been saying one MUST show to breed their dogs. I have no use for show and ribbons for what my dogs excel in, it actual hinders and ruins what the dogs were bred for in the first place. If I went to a breeder who had dogs that were trotted in a circle and given a ribbon by someone who didnt watch each dog perform hunting and running miles before finding thier quarry I might get a dog missing in drive and ability, sure ill have a dog thats built for the task, but not even that most the time, judges seem to like exaggerated features that hinder movement in real working life. My hunting terriers breed are not even AKC and im very ok with that.

I do tho get my pups from health tested, drive tested, endurance tested lines and from people who use thier dogs in the field and use proven healthy stock. Just a view from me and wanted to add another side of breeding outside the show ring! No offense to th people who enjoy thier show dogs! Ive never bred my dogs and ONLY will if they are PERFECT in thier hunting AND health, looks arent needed. Both my boys hunt and hunt well are healthy and are the loves of my life but I will breed neither of them because they are not A1 in the field. Grim will be tested in health and drive and I will not have a clue if hes breed worthy untill close to 3 years and been worked alot.

Haha in my mind about that, I was going to add that clones cant even replicate your dear dog. You get the shell and personality foundation but theres so much more to your original dog than that!

I would not get hung up on the "show" designation.  At least, I don't take that to mean just a conformation show.  When I say I "show" my dogs I am referring to the trial I am "showing" in this weekend - tracking, obedience, and protection.  I "show" in Schutzhund, SDA, rally-obedience, agility, dock diving, etc.  I do think conformation is important but it depends on the venue.  As far as my breed goes, form follows function.  A dog with improper conformation can't work correctly.  I "show" my dogs in a few conformation venues as well, though not AKC because they have their own standard and it's ridiculous.

Yes thanks for correcting me on the other forms of show Lies, agree with you there. But to me If the dog performs his/her hunting herding or whatever task then that tells you right there that the form is correct or that dog wouldnt be able to do thier job! Do we really need someone who has NEVER seen each dog out in there enviroment doing thier job determine who is best by watching them trot for a few minutes? That scares me that a great dog will be skimmed over bc the judge thought the other dogs markings would help them catch a raccoon or move sheep?

Friendly debate Lies, Words can be misconstrewed and tone can sound off online, so I like to make clear Im just looking to pick your brain on the subject too. <3

Take the breed in question, dachshound, A discrace to the actual groundworking dogs, back so long it hinders them in the ground, legs so curved and short thier endurance suffers. Except its said by AKC both those traits are "needed" to do thier work. I laugh at that statement, because Ive seen many working terriers and not one is shaped or nearly shaped as the akc winner of the daschound. They have these health concerns too brought about by these qualities that opt them out of thier original work, strange right? Take in the glory of the english bulldog, need I say more?

Have you seen American line German shepherds? LOL you're preaching to the choir!!  All I'm saying is that to me, conformation is still important and at least in my breed a working dog still does just fine in the right venue.  To me it's not really an excuse, working vs. show. 

Yes Ive seen those sad dogs, I respect your view and admire the work you do with your shepards. the most recent info I saw on them ws a video. I will PM the site if you are interested.

 I should have clarified that by show, I also mean outside of the confirmation ring =) Particularly with some breeds, I think working lines are MUCH better examples of what the breed is originally designed for, but they would likely not fair well in the confirmation ring.

I really hope the OP understands that we are about the welfare of the dogs. IMHO I just don't personally feel anyone should breed unless they are active in their breed (confirmation ring, or using them for work/hunting/protection/policing/herding/etc and demonstrating their breed soundness that way). Soundness may not be the word I'm looking for, but 'tis early and I haven't had any caffeine yet.

I figured you meant more than just conformation Gopher, just wanted to add a little bit to the discussion :)

I too hope the OP didnt leave and takes the wonderful advice given by all!

glenmar

I would never deliberately provide false information, and in my experience, the size of the dad can make a difference in the size of the pups.

It doesn't matter whether I am correct or not.  I would not risk my female to a much larger male.  This is a choice you'll have to make.  I wish your dogs luck.

  I wasn't aware you bred dogs. GSDs I assume?

 I used to have info on this subject saved but my computer crashed and I lost all my bookmarks. Just don't have time to search it out again. But it is a commonly believed myth that breeding a female to a larger male causes puppies to grow "too large" for the bitch. If you really think about it, it doesn't make sense. I have seen many mixed breed litters where the puppies mature several times larger than the size of their dam but were normal to her size at birth. I suspect this myth is perpetuated by coincidence though, in that a bitch is bred to a larger male and requires a c-section because of small litter size or narrow birth canal or because it's a breed prone to whelping problems. Everyone says "yep it's because the male was too large", even though that isn't really the case. There is generally a size difference in most breeds between males and females, so most purebred litters as the result of breeding a bitch to a larger male.

 I believe Glenda bred cockers?