I can vouch for the not making a profit part - LOL! My parents raised Old English Sheepdogs, they were champion lines, they only had the female. So, you have a stud fee which I think at the time was around $400. Then Sugar Plum had 13 puppies, the first took too long and the last two were still born, we couldn't resuscitate them. The puppies needed their tails docked, and really with a dog that big, even if it wasn't the breed standard, they neded their tails docked. But, the vet who says that day old puppies can't feel having their tails cut off, is a liar - just FYI if you ever have a breed that needs tail docking. We had a basket of 11 screaming puppies to let him know that he was incorrect! So, then you have 11 big puppies - and a mom that doesn't have THAT much milk - so we get to bottle feed, then feed puppy gruel, then thicker gruel, then wet puppy food and gruel and finally they're weaned. At the time, the "perfect" show quality went for $600, and the pet for $200. They definately lost money. Sugar never had a litter with less than 11 puppies, and always needed the assistance feeding - so it was always a financial burden. She also could jump a 6 foot plus fence, so when we moved to a busy town we had to give her up before we moved (the new house actually backed up to a 6 lane busy road - so if she jumped the fence she would probably get hit by a car if she moved with us). We found a wonderful couple on a 90 acre farm who had their own champion male (we only had the one litter with her, but they had a couple (2 maybe) more with her). It was a wonderful home - she got to learn to heard sheep and chickens (not sure she was supposed to), and she adopted ducks and piglets (definately NOT supposed to!) and brought them in the house - LOL! They sent us letters and pictures every week or so, and always baby pictures, of her farm adoptees too. She wanted to mother every baby animal on the farm. They were a perfect family for her, we got really lucky when we rehomed her. My parents had advertised a high rehome fee for her, but then ended up giving her to them, since they were the "perfect" home for her. Oh, the pictures of my mom bottle feeding 11 sheepdog puppies is a crackup - she is covered in puppies waist high - LOL! Shell
On 6/18/07, marsha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
And very easily explained. Chihuahuas are a breed close to my heart. I have had dogs and other kinds of pets all my life but Chihuahuas have touched a special place. I had them for 10 years before I started breeding them. Why breed? Because if no one purposely breeds a particular breed, then eventually the breed will be lost. I love a mutt or mixed breed, I have had and still have several of them, but chis are special to me the same as other breeds may be special to other breeders. I don't want to loose the Chihuahua breed just because some people think there are too many thus no one should breed. I don't want a world in which all we have is mixed breeds. In order to keep the Chihuahua breed, there must be Chihuahua breeders (same goes for other breeds) So why not just give the pups away? Well, for one, as I stated before, people appreciate and better care for that which they have a financial investment in. Secondly, I have a lot invested in my dogs...all my dogs...as well as my other pets. It cost money to feed and vet them, it cost money to advertise them. Proper breeding is NOT cheap. It is very rare for a serious and ethical breeder to make a profit. Sure, they may come out ahead on one litter, but then loose their shirt on the next. There is no profit to be made, but you can't expect us to just keep putting money in and not getting anything back. Maybe you are one who is just as happy with a chi mix from a shelter...and if so, that is great...I have one myself...but I also want the characteristics that comes only from a full blooded Chihuahua. IT is my breed, my chosen breed. All I have ever bred and all I ever will breed. For me, personally, and for many other's, Chihuahuas rule! And p.s , all my pets, with the exception of my breeding stock chis, ARE spayed/neutered. Marsha ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Norma Jean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *To:* [email protected] *Sent:* Monday, June 18, 2007 9:36 PM *Subject:* Re: [SPAM] Re: [Chihuahuas] OFFER: Chuhuahua at lower price KY I am a firm believer in spaying and neutering but I would like to ask something, towards the end of the post below you say "I do not breed for money, however I am not going to give away"...why else would people breed dogs when they know how over-populated the world is with homeless animals if it wasn't for money??? I assure you I am not being mean nor do I want to start an argument but that remark "I don't breed for money however I am not going to give away" just seems kind of odd to me...normajean *marsha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote: It is true that people are more willing to properly care for something they have a financial investment in...which is why even rescue groups charge an adoption fee. You have an adorable pup and in the right location, he is well worth what you are asking. At the same time, while it is not all about money, one does have to take money into consideration. I think it is perfectly understandable that you want to recoup some of the investment you have in the pup. And, I think that the fact that you are not willing to ship shows that money is not your priority. If you were willing to ship, you would get all your money back with no problem.. It is all a matter of trying to balance the best interest of the pup with the realities of the pocket book. Finances ARE a fact of life. Just like me...if I had $300 I would buy him, but my financial reality is that at this moment I don't have that kind of money. Just keep working on meeting that balance between wanting what is best for the pup AND trying not to be ripped off. Don't feel bad just because you expect some financial consideration to be paid. I don't breed for the money, but I am not gonna just give my pups away! (although I have given a few away in special cases for special reasons) Marsha ----- Original Message ----- *From:* lisa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *To:* [email protected] *Sent:* Monday, June 18, 2007 8:43 PM *Subject:* RE: [SPAM] Re: [Chihuahuas] OFFER: Chuhuahua at lower price KY I have shared with those that have asked. Geese…if I didn't care I would have already given him away, isn't it true that people are more likely to take better care of things they pay more for? ------------------------------ *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Michelle *Sent:* Monday, June 18, 2007 7:49 PM *To:* [email protected] *Subject:* [SPAM] Re: [Chihuahuas] OFFER: Chuhuahua at lower price KY I hate to say it, but this thread has really bothered me. The focus is all on price and how much money can be gotten for this little dog rather than finding him a GOOD HOME. You made a commitment to him and that needs to be honored. "This is Chip! He is for sale to highest offer." This is taken directly from your online ad. No real info has been shared about the dog as far as personality, likes, etc. Does the pup do well with children or other dogs? How trained is he? Is he neutered? And other than $$ this discussion has done little towards how to find a suitable home for him. You will want to be sure to screen potential new owners so that Chip isn't in another ad in a few months being re-homed. Taking on a pet is big responsibility. This is more than a matter of how much can you get for this dog. I understand that sometimes situations make it so that you have to rehome an animal. I would just really like to see Chips wellbeing take a little more center stage here. Michelle And Sugar
