Where do I start learning about breeding dogs?

Full Question:

Hi Cindy,

I've been doing behavioral modification for dogs for the last 3 years. I wasn't supposed to be a dog trainer. I just wanted to help this one dog and it grew into a full time job. I worked in shelters, rescues, foundations and for private clients. I love working with dogs but often experience frustration when dealing with ppl. I have a medium sized 2 year old male mutt I picked from a shelter a year ago, I've trained him to a high functional level and we are learning advanced obedience together.

I intend to build a board and train facility as a next step and up my game as a dog trainer. But I'd also like to research dog breeding. I liked Dutch Shepherds the most and miss working with them. Might want to get a female puppy 5 years from now. But as of today I know nothing and don't even know where to start. Could you give me some advice and a good read on a subject?

Cindy's Answer:

This is a complex topic, I think the best advice I can give is to find a mentor in the breed you are interested in. This will involve a huge time commitment on your part because you'll need to see lots of dogs of different bloodlines, talk to people that own dogs from that breeder and decide what type of dog appeals to you. There are often variations in bloodlines/families of the same breed. There is really no shortcut to this education and it's too complicated to explain in a message.

A good place to start is to try to get to a national specialty show for the breed you are interested in . You can see the dogs doing all of the tasks they are bred for and meet people that own, train and live with these dogs.

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