You are a dog breeder?

YOU ARE A DOG BREEDER??

You dont know what stifles are, but you're a dog breeder? You dont know anything about genetics, but you're a dog breeder? You've never produced a cull, but you're a dog breeder? Your generations never get better, but you're a dog breeder? You havn't produced any of your breeding stock, but you're a dog breeder? You've been doing this for over 10 years, yet the new boys ru...n the game better, and you're a dog breeder? Your bulldogs have the heart of a chihuahua, but you're a dog breeder? Your bulldogs have the intelligence of a fish, but you're a dog breeder? Your bulldogs have the health of a cancer patient, but you're a dog breeder? You cant handle any correction or advice, but you're a dog breeder? Your dogs dont do anything besides exist, but you're a dog breeder? You have to give dogs away because people wont buy them, but you're a dog breeder? You have "sales" every time you have a litter, but you're a dog breeder? Your biggest accomplishment is a paint job on a dog, but you're a dog breeder? A dog breeder needs to know A-Z, and you dont know ABC. Please...

Who breeds good bulldogs?

This is just a bit of a rant, but in my opinion, the more you listen and watch, the more you can see who is breeding quality bulldogges. It doesnt matter how long someone has been at it, it doesnt matter how many ribbons and guild trophies sit on thier shelves (i just saw a dog win 24 awards at 1 show). Do not buy into all the hype and advertisements. Real hard hitting knowledge is all I am after. Most of the dog breeders in the olde game are like the guy standing on the corner with a jacket full of fake gold watches."Wanna buy a watch?" he says. Very similar to the breeder who says "wanna buy a pup"?

Having a mentor

Many people refuse to have a mentor just like many 18 year olds refuse to hear thier parents advice. They must screw it all up themselves in order to learn.I choose to have a mentor not because I can't stand on my own 2 feet (after all, I have been helping othe people with thier breeding programs)but because I subscribe to the belief that 90% of the worlds most successful people had or have mentors.They will be the 1st to tell you this. To me, having a close friend or confidant who is further down the path than I am is invaluable.
HAVING A MENTOR GIVES YOU AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE:

1.You have direct access to the thoughts and practices that got them where they are
2.You can become personally familiar with the line of dogs that is probably your foundation
3.Your mentor will pass down thier knowledge and experience
4. You will have a successful person who knows where youre headed because they have been there and done that!
5.You will be taught things that you could only learn from loss of time, wasted money, and heartache.

DO NOT SELECT A MENTOR WHO...

1.Is not aware of the common health problems in the breed.
2.Has not done what you want to do, bred the dogs you want to breed, & does not know what you want to know
3.Does not test thier own breeding stock against health, temperament, and genetic traits
4.Lies about pedigree's

Money

Money

The love of money in relation to the dog game: I am convinced that almost 90% of the negative things that happen in the dog game happen because of money. I like money. I dont know anyone who doesn't. But if you think about, the way we look at money affects almost everything we do, say, or think. Are registries good for dogs? History has proven that they do not really benifit dogs. Registrie...s are started for several reasons, the biggest reason is to make $$$. If not, they would register for free or donate alot of it to BSL and rescue. You have to sell dogs in order to make enough $$ to keep your program and dogs in top shape. The only way you can really profit in the dog game is to cut corners. I see this every day. 90% of breeders are not charging a certain dollar amount because of the time, work, and planning they put in thier program, they charge it because someone else does. Money. We network and advertise and do all we do, why? To make money. The love and desire of money will ruin a program faster than you can blink. Money is a tool. So is dog food. So are kennels. If look at money as anything other than a tool, it then becomes our desire. Our desire becomes our boss. Money makes a great servant, but a terrible master.

Bulldog Mutations

Bulldog mutations

It is obvious that through each decade the various bulldog types and breeds have been building upon new mutations. The bully is, in fact, mutation upon mutation.Perhaps the English Bulldog is the best example of the damage mutated genes can cause. Most of the modern bulldog breeds either came down off of EB blood or were influenced by it. The unfortunate thing, is that many novice or "newbie" breeders are constantly playing with these mutated genes and trying to create greatness with unsound dogs. The more mutated and exaggerated a dog is, the more people praise it. There is even a breed that has introduced an "Extreme Class" for all the breeders who don't have a clue what correct canine structure is. An observation I have made when looking at genetics is : MUTATIONS CAUSE GENETIC INFORMATION TO BE LOST, NOT GAINED. In my opinion, when we add new mutations or more exaggerated mutations into a genetically consistent line of dogs, we alter the overall genetics, and immediately lose a vast amount of genetic consistency. So it had better be worthwhile to introduce that mutated gene, because we have to work hard for awhile to re-establish consistency in related dogs. The best way to consistency is inbreeding and linebreeding. Outcrossing (which is the common practice of 90% of breeders out there) is the quickest way to inconsistency, unpredictability, and genetic mess. In my opinion, the only reason to outcross is if a dog has something so valuable to your program that you are willing to alter the genetic code in your line and work to get back the consistency. For those of you who are pet owners and not breeders, if you buy dogs from those who inbreed and linebreed rather than constantly outcross, I think you will be much happier with the results of your investment.