Getting Started as a French Bulldog Breeder
patpearce December 7th, 2007
Getting Started as a Frenchie Breeder
How do I start being a breeder? I think I would be good at it. I love
dogs very much. I have had French bulldogs for almost four years and
know a lot about them. Can you help me?
Pat writes:
If you are serious about being a breeder, the wisest thing for you to is find an established French Bulldog breeder who is willing to mentor you. You can write to breeder on e-lists or go to shows and meet some. When you find someone you respect and who has knowledge and is willing to work with you, even it is long distance and by email & telephone, you can begin.
You will want to find as nice a female as you can possibly afford. And by nice I mean, meets the French Bulldog Standard, passes her health tests, ears, eyes, spine and hips as a minimum… And if at all possible talk with her breeder about the line that she comes from and what traits you should be aware of - both good and not so good. And you want to make sure she has a good temperament.
You want to be very careful not to double up on any undesirable traits in the line (make sure the stud & his line don’t also carry any of the same undesirable traits)
And you need to think about WHY you want to breed. It is not a task to be undertaken lightly. You will want to breed the best you can, try to better the breed with your breeding.
And you have to realize that with the joy of a new litter, there will be a lot of expense, progesterone testing, Artificial Insemination, and a carefully timed Cesarean section. There are nutritional requirements for the bitch before, during and after the pregnancy. And there WILL BE lots of heartache. You will lose puppies - at birth and later for reasons that may or may not make sense. And you can lose your bitch. She can die during the surgery for the section, or from shock or embolism after, or from infection post section. It doesn’t happen often - but can and does. Then you have a litter to hand raise.
And for you personally - it is a great commitment. First if you work you will have to plan to take time from work for the section, and then for at least 10 days to 3 weeks after - depending on things… unless you have a work place where you can safely take mom and babes with you. And sleep will be a rare commodity for the first several days at best and longer if there are complications.
I don’t tell you these things to dissuade you, but to make you fully aware of the consequences of your decision. I believe that many reputable breeders would gladly take a new person to mentor if the new person is truly committed to the breed and is aware of what is involved in the decision to breed your sweet little girl - knowing that your decision may cost her her life.
Pat
