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[ShrekDawg]

Welshies, I'm sorry if you've felt attacked at all, it wasn't my or I'm sure anyones intention. I think we all just want/wanted what's best for the dog, and Science Diet is usually a poor food, that's all. BUT. If you are supplementing with meat, then that may provide the extra protein she needs for the puppies. It could also unbalance the food though so I'd try to give as much variety in the scraps as possible, if you're not already doing so. Different kinds of meat/animals, etc.

And sorry for any confusion, I know cheaper isn't necessarily better. My point with that was just that if money is your parent's issue or reason for not switching, there are foods that are better for the same price, cheaper, or just barely more. Even grain free 4 Health from tractor supply or pure balance from Wal-Mart might be good options.

And what about just buying the food yourself and starting feeding it to her?

But if there is really no switching then thats understandable but i would try if you can.

But sorry, it wasn't meant as an attack or judgement in any way..

And I think that it is awesome you are spaying her even though you never got your purebreds. A lot of people wouldn't even do that. And I'm sure they found homes.

But curious if you kept any for yourself?

 

[Welshies]

Welshies, I'm sorry if you've felt attacked at all, it wasn't my or I'm sure anyones intention. I think we all just want/wanted what's best for the dog, and Science Diet is usually a poor food, that's all. BUT. If you are supplementing with meat, then that may provide the extra protein she needs for the puppies. It could also unbalance the food though so I'd try to give as much variety in the scraps as possible, if you're not already doing so. Different kinds of meat/animals, etc.

And sorry for any confusion, I know cheaper isn't necessarily better. My point with that was just that if money is your parent's issue or reason for not switching, there are foods that are better for the same price, cheaper, or just barely more. Even grain free 4 Health from tractor supply or pure balance from Wal-Mart might be good options.

And what about just buying the food yourself and starting feeding it to her?

But if there is really no switching then thats understandable but i would try if you can.

But sorry, it wasn't meant as an attack or judgement in any way..

And I think that it is awesome you are spaying her even though you never got your purebreds. A lot of people wouldn't even do that. And I'm sure they found homes.

But curious if you kept any for yourself?

I didn't feel attacked. Your information was informative and I am glad I was told it.
I have little to no say in the matter. We give multiple kinds of scraps. Bones, meat, fat, mostly wild game, as well as safe vegetables.
I cannot feed her myself as I am a college student. I only have 2 jobs- hatching my quail and chickens or selling hatching eggs (max profit is like $300 to $400/mnth), and training horses (around $1500/mnth).
We wanted to keep one. Oh, we did. I had a favorite. Long fluffy hair. Such a people's dog. I even named him. But, in the end, we decided not to.
Although... I am already attached to these pups... real tempted to keep one from this recent litter, honestly.

 

[ShrekDawg]

And shelley, sorry if you also feel attacked. Im sure casports post was not meant for you.

But I do have to agree with casport on this one. Many many dogs are poorly bred and have poor health, etc. Or are kept intact for no reason and then get bred and the owners don't even care.

I think breeding a dog to keep for yourself or for working purposes is very very different and I don't think anyone was saying to never breed or even suggesting to rescue (though I know exactly the kinds of people you are talking about).

But there are tons of people who have intact dogs and let them have litter after litter because they don't want to fix them. Or they use them to make money.

OR.

Maybe they purposely breed but the dog had horrible health or a horrible temperament.

All of those things are very wrong in my opinion.

Breeding LGD is different.

But I do agree to do it responsibly.

But I think it's great you want to provide dogs to people who need them.

The only thing I would say though is to please properly vet them. Sometimes people get free or cheap dogs to abuse them.

 

[casportpony]

And I think that it is awesome you are spaying her even though you never got your purebreds. A lot of people wouldn't even do that. And I'm sure they found homes.

x2. for @Welshies

 

[Welshies]

And shelley, sorry if you also feel attacked. Im sure casports post was not meant for you.

But I do have to agree with casport on this one. Many many dogs are poorly bred and have poor health, etc. Or are kept intact for no reason and then get bred and the owners don't even care.

I think breeding a dog to keep for yourself or for working purposes is very very different and I don't think anyone was saying to never breed or even suggesting to rescue (though I know exactly the kinds of people you are talking about).

But there are tons of people who have intact dogs and let them have litter after litter because they don't want to fix them. Or they use them to breed.

OR.

Maybe they purposely breed but the dog had horrible health or a horrible temperament.

All of those things are very wrong in my opinion.

Breeding LGD is different.

But I do agree to do it responsibly.

But I think it's great you want to provide dogs to people who need them.

The only thing I would say though is to please properly vet them. Sometimes people get free or cheap dogs to abuse them.

x2. If you plan on breeding, you must ask yourself why. Is the dog a quality stock, is there interest, is the dog friendly and good tempered, or are you just breeding just because. And always make sure the new owner will be suitable. Ask them questions too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I didn't feel attacked. Your information was informative and I am glad I was told it.
I have little to no say in the matter. We give multiple kinds of scraps. Bones, meat, fat, mostly wild game, as well as safe vegetables.
I cannot feed her myself as I am a college student. I only have 2 jobs- hatching my quail and chickens or selling hatching eggs (max profit is like $300 to $400/mnth), and training horses (around $1500/mnth).
We wanted to keep one. Oh, we did. I had a favorite. Long fluffy hair. Such a people's dog. I even named him. But, in the end, we decided not to.
Although... I am already attached to these pups... real tempted to keep one from this recent litter, honestly.

Oh okay good! Just wanted to be sure and clear that up. But I'm glad you found the information helpful! And it sounds like you know what you're doing and are feeding her lots of good meat

Hopefully you can eventually move out and/or take her with you and decide her food though.

Awww that stinks you didn't keep him! But yess, I would keep one of these

 

[Welshies]

Oh okay good! Just wanted to be sure and clear that up. But I'm glad you found the information helpful! And it sounds like you know what you're doing and are feeding her lots of good meat

Hopefully you can eventually move out and/or take her with you and decide her food though.

Awww that stinks you didn't keep him! But yess, I would keep one of these

When I am moved out, she will be coming. Her having litters has actually interested me for being a dog breeder (an actual one) when I am older. But I have to get my own place first!
I think we will keep one... there is one little white-toed pup I already have my eye on... just something about him or her.

 

[Welshies]

Here is my favorite. His or her white toes are so unique compared to his siblings. So far, all of the puppies are alive, noisy, and warm.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Agreed.
@ShellyLynnW
You want your stock to be regularly wormed, fed the best quality feed, vaccinated, and puppies to be vaccinated. Many breeders also use a vet during birth as part of their business/system.
Even with two litters... the first one we had eight puppies. Each sold for about $300 on average. Everybody had to come at least twice to meet and pick their puppy. They were asked questions and so were we. They had to be suitable owners. You can not just let puppies go.
Vaccinations were $50 each. That's $400. Feeding costs double or tripe (we spend about $40/mnth when River is not pregnant. That turned into $150).
That is a total of $700. Add on the deworming, about $800. Add on the ultrasound/x-ray, another $150.
Let's say the cost was $1000.
We made $2100 from those puppies. But....
We only made about $1100. And that was a planned (ish) backyard breeding, not a professional one, not including stud fees (average $200-$500).

Well said!

x2. for @Welshies

indeed!

x2. If you plan on breeding, you must ask yourself why. Is the dog a quality stock, is there interest, is the dog friendly and good tempered, or are you just breeding just because. And always make sure the new owner will be suitable. Ask them questions too.

Agreed!!!

When I am moved out, she will be coming. Her having litters has actually interested me for being a dog breeder (an actual one) when I am older. But I have to get my own place first!
I think we will keep one... there is one little white-toed pup I already have my eye on... just something about him or her.

That's awesome! Any idea on what breed you might breed?

And awww you should totally keep him!

 

[Welshies]

Well said!



indeed!



Agreed!!!



That's awesome! Any idea on what breed you might breed?

And awww you should totally keep him!

I am thinking of breeding a large breed dog. SO and I have talked about it. We want the same things... small, cabin like house in the rockies. To make small profit off of our birds. Probably german shepherds, huskies (tricky because they can't free roam or so I've heard), akitas (had them in the past- but they require a lot of training), either one of those or some other cold-hardy but in good demand breed. At the time we'll see what's in demand and what is the most suitable. But it would definitely be a lot of fun.