What does studding entail?

Eeesh, thanks to all those who provided helpful info. 
rwbeagles, why are you so snippy (no pun intended)?  I didn't get defensive - what would I be defensive about? I merely made an observation that you seemed a little anti show/stud.  If you read your post, you'll notice no positive points about showing or studding were made.  If there were really NO positive rewards whatsoever, then neither you nor anyone else would get into showing/studding.  Hopefully you now understand what I'm trying to say. 
The dog is never going to leave my care.  I never said that at all.  He will be staying with the breeder becuase they run a whippet kennel and I am in China for 2 wks in April.  He'll hang out with a littermate and some relatives during that time.  I don't expect to come back to pick him up and see him stacked up on a grooming table or anything. 
I get that there are nightmare breeders out there.  Mine is not one of them.  Samshine made a valuable point and confirmed what I thought could happen.  Some breeders split the showing/handling fees because it is in THEIR best interest for my dog to do well, seeing as how he's one of theirs.  If he comes from a long line of champions then wouldn't they like to continue the line?  It adds to their prestige, as previous poster stated.   
Anyhow, it was just a casual question and I was simply looking for a casual answer.  Thank you. 

I suspect that what you are hearing from Gina is more negative simply because ANY of us who have bred, or who have and continue to work in rescue are hesitant to paint a pretty picture of this.
 
Only the very best of the best should be selected to continue a line.  And while your pup MAY turn out to be one of those dogs, it's years away from being certain.  And even if he champions, he may not be genetically sound.  Appropriate genetic testing is not inexpensive, but is  a MUST for responsible breeding.
 
I have never shown a dog.  I have no interest in the politics and the cut throat attitudes in some show circles.  Showing, at least for me, is not a "fun" thing to do.  I've seen plenty of friends with superior dogs loose to a judges favorite and that's not the kind of thing I could be calm and cool about.  I think it takes a special person to deal with that and I'm not sure someone who wants a pup as a family pet is ready for the realities of the show world.

Well to find out if he is a perfect specimen. you will have to wait until 2 years of age (when the dog is fully grown and mature) and get the health clearences (eyes hips elbows ect) all vet checked to make sure he would be a good producer to the breed and will have somthing good to contribute to it also. So you have a while to find out if you want to neutar him. But it is a proven fact that dogs with the boys left isnt just gospel, it is a fact that they are more prone to cancer and such

It's actually not a casual question and Gina answered it in the serious tone that such a question deserved. You are talking about altering the way you handle and treat your dog (from companion to a breeding animal), not to mention the implications of your focus on "studding" him in the future when he's still just a pupper.

This is not bad - I've also gone back and forth on one pup we have here on this issue - but I realize that it makes a big difference in the pup's future. We love all our dogs the same but if the dog has no breeding future we need to take great care that such a dog is not accidentally bred, and if we do have future plans for a dog, we need to take great care that we evaluate every moment with that dog in that light - do any "glitches" in our relationship represent flaws, and are they flaws that should not be passed on? Health, temperament, training potential, structure and asthetics for a show dog, working ability for a performance dog?

Good luck. It's a serious consideration and I wish you well in your future endeavours.

ORIGINAL: Tankstar

Well to find out if he is a perfect specimen. you will have to wait until 2 years of age (when the dog is fully grown and mature) and get the health clearences (eyes hips elbows ect) all vet checked to make sure he would be a good producer to the breed and will have somthing good to contribute to it also. So you have a while to find out if you want to neutar him. But it is a proven fact that dogs with the boys left isnt just gospel, it is a fact that they are more prone to cancer and such

 
Having read this piece of info somewhere in the past, I raised this concern to my breeder.  I can't speak for all dogs, but a whippet is healther with his boys than without.  He is not at risk for testicular cancer if he keeps the boys. 

Leroi...I do not "stud" as I have no males here, males are for renting....not owning, as bitches are far more important when you are breeding.
 

If there were really NO positive rewards whatsoever, then neither you nor anyone else would get into showing/studding.

 
That's because there aren't any...for the "casual" pet owner, beyond the same ones that come from owning any dog....the benefits to showing and breeding that go beyond ego...are only apprent when you plan to be in a breed maintaining a line of dogs...for the long haul. that doesn't sound like your plan...from your use of the word "casual"...lol. Breeding dogs is anything but casual...and IMO that casual attitude about breeding is why there are so many dogs without homes right now.
 

[color=#000000]The dog is never going to leave my care.  I never said that at all.  He will be staying with the breeder becuase they run a whippet kennel and I am in China for 2 wks in April. 

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Is that a direct contradiction or is it just me..lol!

ORIGINAL: brookcove

It's actually not a casual question and Gina answered it in the serious tone that such a question deserved... not to mention the implications of your focus on "studding" him in the future when he's still just a pupper.

This is not bad - I've also gone back and forth on one pup we have here on this issue - but I realize that it makes a big difference in the pup's future. We love all our dogs the same but if the dog has no breeding future we need to take great care that such a dog is not accidentally bred, and if we do have future plans for a dog, we need to take great care that we evaluate every moment with that dog in that light - do any "glitches" in our relationship represent flaws, and are they flaws that should not be passed on? Health, temperament, training potential, structure and asthetics for a show dog, working ability for a performance dog?

 
It *IS* a casual question.  My dog is a puppy!!!  I'm not carting him off to a show ring or taking cheques for stud services, am I?!  I have no qualms over the serious tone of her reply, either.  I said "snippy" tone...I don't want someone to jump all over me because I asked some very basic questions about studding/showing.  These 2 things had never crossed my mind and then the breeder saw Leroi for the first time since the litter and went nuts.  Since this is unfamiliar territory, I came home, logged on to this forum and started my topic, as if to say "My breeder just brought these things up, what's the deal with this stuff, anyway?"
 
Many people provided helpful info, rwbeagles, included, but I DID pick up on the overall negative and foreboding tone of her post, which I don't think she denies.  It is becoming clear to me that while some people enjoy showing, others see it as a manipulated and unfair competition where judges play favorites on a regular basis.  I believe this is robably true (as in any competition), and I can understand why it would jade a lot of would-be competitors. 
 
I also don't have some deeply rooted desire to pimp my dog out, and I am not interested in forcing anything for money, ok?  Once I found out people get money for studding their dogs, I suspected people might think I heard the word "stud" and saw dollar signs.  That's ridiculous - Leroi is my baby, not a means to a new car.  
 
I'm sorry I even asked - you can't even be curious here without getting hammered.  Thanks for providing an open and welcoming forum, in which newbies can seek information and chat casually about dog stuff...[&:]

 

Leroi- sorry you felt snapped at. frankly, we almost -never- see concientious owners talking about studding a dog out. it's just a lot of work and frankly, not worth it.
gina- bitches may be the core of a breeding program, but boys are *so* the way to go for someone who wants to show and not breed. I doubt I'll ever breed Mal- his breeders have access to him if they want, but I just don't see why I'd want to mess with it at this point. (ask me again after we finish his championship and if his DNA test for CEA comes back non-carrier, but I bet I'll say the same thing!)[8D]

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Leroi...I do not "stud" as I have no males here, males are for renting....not owning, as bitches are far more important when you are breeding.
That's because there aren't any...for the "casual" pet owner, beyond the same ones that come from owning any dog....the benefits to showing and breeding that go beyond ego...are only apprent when you plan to be in a breed maintaining a line of dogs...for the long haul. that doesn't sound like your plan...from your use of the word "casual"...lol. Breeding dogs is anything but casual...and IMO that casual attitude about breeding is why there are so many dogs without homes right now.
 

[color=#000000]The dog is never going to leave my care.  I never said that at all.  He will be staying with the breeder becuase they run a whippet kennel and I am in China for 2 wks in April. 

[/color]
 
Is that a direct contradiction or is it just me..lol!

 
Yes you're right GINA, casual owners like me are the reason so many pets are homeless.  My dog is treated like a king, exercised, well-fed and cared for...I asked a simple question about showing/studding and *I* am responsible for neglected animals.  Right...that's a disgusting comment that was obviously intended as an insult to me.  I don't know if you're bored at work or something, but ppl come here to make friends and discuss dogs, not to be insulted by ignorant people like you.  Don't reply to this thread.  Your rude comments are not welcome, thank you. 
 

Hi again Leroi,
 
Sorry you are getting a bad vibe about the dog world. Let me give you some of the positives.
 
I've met a lot of great people in dogs. In fact, most of my friends. I have friends that I see at training classes, and friends from further away that I usually see only at shows. When I did not have a dog to show and found myself attending shows just to watch, I realized that for me being involved in dogs is about 50% social activity.
 
I enjoy training and working with my dogs. I like that having goals gives me something to work for and deepens my relationship with my dogs. I enjoy the lifetime of learning that comes with having dogs as a hobby. Genetics, bloodlines, behavior, learning theory, veterinary issues, social development, how to present a dog, structure, movement, etc etc etc. Always room to grow.
 
As far as politics in dog shows, this is the cry of people who did not stick around long enough in dogs to truly understand. You have to understand that a dog show is about the opinion of one person on one day. Each judge is an individual, their values are unique. For one judge a great head and expression is what speaks to them. For another judge easy and balanced movement is more important. Yes, there is a written standard for each breed but it can be interpreted differently. At any given show, the dog that I would pick to win usually does not. Is that politics? No. It is because my values are different from the judge. 99% of the time the judge is truthfully picking what he sees to be the best dog. Sometimes we can understand what the judge was looking for. For example you can see that having a ton of coat is important to that judge. Sometimes it is hard to understand what they are looking for. Very occasionally you get a judge that is plain incompetent.
 
To enjoy conformation showing you really have to look at the big picture. A good dog properly presented will do their fair share of winning. Sometimes they will lose to a dog that in your opinion is inferior. The judge had a different opinion.
 
In the classes and breed competition I truly believe that there is not much politics involved. Once you are regularly competing in the group and best in show rings things get more complicated. Then judges can be influenced by advertising, handlers, etc. I think it is subconscious on the judge's part but is somewhat of a factor. Still, success can be had without all that. My friend's bitch came into her own this year. After she won the breed's national specialty this September, that put her number one in breed points. She decided to try and hang onto that ranking through the end of the year. So she started campaigning her girl and going to shows every weekend. She won several best in shows and tons of group placements. No advertising, no professional handler. Just a very good dog in her prime wonderfully presented. (my friend is an awesome handler.) If she did not keep the #1 ranking she came within a hair's breadth

Edit: pulled my post...I don't think I should get into this...

I'm a little puzzled-- my few and far between conformation show friends tell me that the best time to evaluate a dog's structure and show-worthiness is at age 6 weeks-- that's the best time to see how the dog will look as an adult. How the dog looks between age 6 weeks and 2 years often has nothing to do with how the dog will look as an adult. So who would look at a 4.5 month old pup they rejected at age 6 weeks and suddenly decide he's a show prospect?

ORIGINAL: mudpuppy

I'm a little puzzled-- my few and far between conformation show friends tell me that the best time to evaluate a dog's structure and show-worthiness is at age 6 weeks-- that's the best time to see how the dog will look as an adult. How the dog looks between age 6 weeks and 2 years often has nothing to do with how the dog will look as an adult. So who would look at a 4.5 month old pup they rejected at age 6 weeks and suddenly decide he's a show prospect?

 
Happens all the time. This dog was not rejected, the breeder decided to keep a bitch. When a litter is evaluated (6 weeks is too young) it is far from absolute. Many times the "pick of the litter" ends up not being the best dog.

ORIGINAL: Leroi
 I can't speak for all dogs, but a whippet is healther with his boys than without.  He is not at risk for testicular cancer if he keeps the boys. 

 
I'm not getting into the topic of showing/breeding, since I cannot speak from experience, as many others can.  However, this comment baffled me...how can you say that an intact dog doesn't have the possibility of getting testicular cancer? Even if whippets are generally healthy as a breed, it's a bit foolish to say it can't happen.
 

ORIGINAL: grab01

ORIGINAL: Leroi
I can't speak for all dogs, but a whippet is healther with his boys than without.  He is not at risk for testicular cancer if he keeps the boys. 

I'm not getting into the topic of showing/breeding, since I cannot speak from experience, as many others can.  However, this comment baffled me...how can you say that an intact dog doesn't have the possibility of getting testicular cancer? Even if whippets are generally healthy as a breed, it's a bit foolish to say it can't happen.

 
Testicular cancer is not very common, almost always happens in older dogs, and can almost always be resolved by neutering. It is not a cancer that is prone to spreading. If this is something that an owner is worried about it is entirely reasonable to keep a dog intact through their show career. Then he can be neutered later. My show male will probably be neutered around eight years old or so. If there is a valid reason to keep a dog intact, like showing, then testicular cancer would not be enough of an issue to change my mind.