To not breed my bitch

[FluffyMcnuffy]

I have a 6 month old bitch who is a truly lovely dog, however I feel like I'm being put under a lot of pressure to breed her (by people interested in pups, family and breed "in the know" people).

She was the only bitch in a litter of four (also one bitch in previous litter of four - mum only had two litters) and so people are keen for the "line" from the mother (winning show dog) to continue. I've been told by breed experts that she's a really good example of the breed, and crucially she does have a "squashed face" in a breed that at the moment is typically being bred to be more braceycephalic.

She is a relatively rare breed (and in this particular breed, dogs of a "good standard" are very rare. She also is really well tempered (so far) in a breed that has a reputation for being aggressive; she's a great pet for me.

If I were to breed from her then I already have a double figures waiting list for pups and even if someone were to be unable to take/keep one for whatever reason I would be able to give it a home.

But the selfish part of me doesn't want to breed her, she's my dog and I don't want to put her through unecessary pain. Am I being selfish?

I agree with you there too! But cross breeding dogs also can be difficult. It's OK when you have 2 breeds with similar characteristics, both physically and mentally but what about those more unique dogs? Finding a cross breed that could work would possibly result in even more unhealthy puppies or worse.

Yes, I do imagine it is a bit trickier but people are always going to want pure breeds for whatever reason. Which is why I think harsher rules regarding genetic testing etc. need to be enforced when it comes to breeding.

The whole designer dog thing disgusts me. There's no problem with cross breeding for improvement, like your example. While the labradoodle started out as a way of making 2 family friendly dogs even better it has evolved in to something horrific, where backyard breeders are doing it purely for profit with no thought to the dogs health or temperament.

Yep, I agree with you there too! Dog shows should be banned. Shows based on personality etc. would be preferable to ones based on looks that encourage deformities and so on but like you said, no matter what people will exploit it for profit and that is so sad.

The latest craze seems to be dogs crossed with huskys .

When I was growing up our family dog was a german shepherd cross husky. But this was in the 90's so he was a rescue from an accidental litter that had been dumped. But now people are breeding those kinds of crosses because husky and malamutes are the new fad. Bred purely for profit by backyard breeders who don't care about the dog one iota.

Is it incredibly precious of me not to show her because I think she will find it boring standing in a ring for ages?

Yes to the husky thing. 'Pomskies' is that real?! If it is it horrifies me.

If I tried to show my dog, I think she'd get over-excited, then bored, then chase all the other dogs wanting to play. Failing that she'd just bark and bark and bark and bark and.....

Unfortunately I've seen both pomskies and chowskies so they are indeed real .

Pomsky being Pomeranian x husky? Why would anyone do that?

i have never seen a brachycephalic Vizsla and google doesn't return any pictures of one either.

I am surprised the breeder didn't keep her back as a showing and breeding bitch if she was that good. Most very serious breeders do not like backyard breeders to breed from their pups as the quality control goes out of the window and when the bloodline is traced back it can ultimately reflect badly (somewhat unfairly) on the original breeder. They can block you from KC registering any litter you may have from one of their pups if they have not given you permission, I believe.

It must be nearly Christmas

I have just done a (less than) five minute Google search which revealed 22 adverts for litters of Chow Chow puppies (there were many more adverts but I weeded out any duplicates that I could see), 3 adverts for Chow Cross litters, and 2 Adult Chows for sale. I also found 4 Chows that were being advertised for rehoming and Chow Chow Breed Rescues in both Scotland and England.

It is so refreshing to hear of someone that doesn't want to jump on that bandwagon, FluffyMcnuffy!!!! Well done for not wanting to breed your bitch!

I know what you mean about showing. I have certainly known dogs who found it boring or even rather stressful. Although having said that, I've also known some that loved it! If you're interested, then I think you've just got to try it and see if you and your dog both find it fun!

Some of the chow chow puppies for sale at the moment are terrible.

Oh my good god, out of curiosity I looked at chow puppies for sale and found the following:

stunning dogs Theo and Coco are due their litter in a week.. Coco has been fantastic and vets said she is very healthy and very happy.

Both our dogs have fantastic features!! BOTH have a beautiful muzzle, broad and wrinkles on their faces.. Coco having a short and square muzzle which is fantastic to see in this breed!!
There are Champions in the line with Theo's dad being a Champion, both are square stocky great stance and big boned.

Puppies are going to be KC REG with five generation pedigree certificate. First vaccine, wormed to date, flead and microchipped.. A puppy pack will be included with puppies with aftercare from ourselves.

Chows are gorgeous!!!! She sounds lovely . YANBU at all, although YABU for not letting us all come round and have a cuddle.

Just googled some pics. Can't believe how squashed they are getting these days. When I was a child they had 'normal dog' faces. Why is there this obsession with squashing dog's faces in?

you're all welcome any time.

I know what you mean though, the squashed faces cause breathing and often eye problems - I don't see how that can be a good thing. It's very selfish to breed a dog for aesthetic purposes when that will impact on its health.

Fluffy, am I missing something? What's shocking about that advertisement?

Alpaca the wrinkles on the face and short square muzzle both are extremely undesirable and can lead to serious health problems.

I am shocked that a breeder advertises these as positive traits.

Ah right! I get it, thanks.