Breeding
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| An OES is at full maturity around 3 onwards. No breeding a bitch under the age of 2. Males are usually bigger then females.
Things to consider when breeding and really is important to produce healthy pups. Are the two OES registered? You also have to have an indepth view on the background of both to see you are not doubling up on hereditry problems that is associated with the breed. You need to health check both the dog and bitch prior to mating, this costs money but no OES should be bred from without the necessary health screenings/clearances. Eye clearance exam HD x-rays of the Hips and x-rays sent off for grading Blood test for possible Thyroid Problems These above screenings/tests are a necessity for healthy OES to be produced. Also knowing the pedigree and what is in the background of it as there is carriers of things like CA & epilepsy and other health issues that can lurk. So it is just not a decision that I love my OES there is more too it then that when breeding. Research and health checks on both before making a decision to breed.  |
OK, BRACE YOURSELF! 
You've asked a question to which many people will give you their opinion! Don't take it personally, they will just eb talking about your situation, not about you personally!
Our number one rule at oes.org is: "Always assume the poster meant no insult". Or is it "Write your post as if you were talking with a neighbor who you didn't know very well, sitting at your kitchen table, sharing a cup of tea." Well, it's one of those two. Welcome to the forum! Be sure to stop by the "introductions" section and tell us more about your sheepdogs! |
| I'm not a breeder, I'm just going to parrot some things Lisa has said and from what I remember in reading around here.
All the things that Lisa brings up are important, but it's almost as if she's glossing over some of them! The in-depth look at the dogs and bitches in your puppies' pedigrees is a big thing! You need to research and look into all of their histories, looking for all of the hereditary problems that OES carry. I think some breeders also look into problems in "lines" as well, meaning that if one animal in the pedigree didn't have the problem, but comes from a line known for it anyway... This is probably going to take someone with experience to help you. Then there are the health tests that Lisa mentions. Some tests can't be done before the age of two, if I remember correctly. Some are quite expensive. So what's the background of your dog and bitch? Without naming names, did you get them from lifelong hobbyist breeders, who do this from a health perspective, or from a pet store, or from someone who just wanted to have a few puppies? If you've gotten them from "reputable" breeders, and they sold you the dogs with permission to breed them, then they will be able to help you in your breeding program. They will know the backgrounds of their dogs inside and out, and should have a pretty good head start on understanding if your dogs should be mated. I guess what I'm saying is you are contemplating doing something that, if done "right", takes an incredibly enormous commitment of time, energy and money, and is usually "done right" by people who have a lifelong commitment to the betterment of the breed. They usually keep some sort of "ownership" in the dogs for a lifetime, and prevent their dogs from ever having to go to a shelter, by "repossessing" the dog if need be. These people are generally members of a national OES organization, such as OESCA(USA) or OESOCC(Canada) , have signed their Code of Ethics promising to be a responsible and ethical breeder. In the meantime, since (obviously) your dogs haven't been neutered, you need to keep them separated so there are no accidental breedings. I forget at what age this act of nature can happen, but there are a few people here on the forum that can tell you about having such an accident. I tell you all this as someone who has worked with rescue programs for years. Between my wife and I we have 10 years on the Board of Directors of a large regional rescue program, and we got our first rescue OES in 1992. Since then, thousands of OES have passed through rescue programs; I'm sure you'd never want to see one of your pups there. Well, get ready; some people here might have some lengthy and strong opinions to share with you.  |
| After reading the questions that you asked, I think it would be a good idea to do A LOT more research on the breed and, really, breeding in general. |
Ron wrote: All the things that Lisa brings up are important, but it's almost as if she's glossing over some of them!:
I was ron, having my cup of tea
Just also want to bring up one more point before you decide anything, no one is judging you one way or the other on this issue, just be well educated on what can go wrong by not spending time researching all that you can. Knowledge is everything.
This forum is full of a lot of information, so spend time reading as much as you can, from the rescue stories/special needs sheepies(deaf/blind) to medical problems some members on this forum have encounted. Breeding is a gamble, but it is lessened for a sad and sorry outcome if all the proper steps are taken first before deciding on taking the next step and producing puppies. So not being awful or anything, learn as much about the breed first, before moving to the next step of having puppies
I don't know what country you come from, but it is always good to join the breed club if you are not in one yet. You gain a wealth of knowledge on the breed. Most OES Breed clubs run health seminars on the breed to help people to learn what problems are lurking and how to possibly avoid producing puppies with these problems. You also then have contact to a wealth of information/help with long term breeders/mentors in the breed to help you learn all you can on the structure, soundness, genetics and health issues in the breed. Welcome to the forum also look forward to hearing all about your sheepies. |
| Lisa and Ron has brought up the most, so I have only one important question:
Soo, what's the background of your self as a sheepdog owner? From what you say it seems to me that you know very litle about OES yourself. How can you then give good advice to new puppibayers? And I can tell you, you will get a lot of questions!!!!!! (I have been a breeder for ower 40 years and I have still a lot to learn!) |
| I am not a breeder and as little as a couple years ago I will admit to not understanding what all the fuss about breeding was about. If you had a dog and wanted to have puppies, WHY NOT, especially if you were responsible, took care of them and found good homes for them all. Right?
Wrong. I never understood the whole point of dog shows and champions until I started to get involved in dog forums and started to educate myself about dogs. At one time I thought that the point of dog shows was to parade your pup and maybe come home with a pretty ribbon or trophy. Not at all. The point of showing and championing a dog is to prove that your dog BEST MEETS the standards of that breed. If you go to enough shows and win enough points your dog is declared a Champion and you and others know that that dog meets the standards established by that breed. One Champion is bred to another Champion and the odds are that the resulting offspring will exhibit the same qualitites of the parents and the breed characteristics will be maintained and continued. So what big deal who cares, you say. If my pups are pet quality why should you care about breed characteristics. BECAUSE when a breeder puts the time and effort into showing and championing a dog they also make sure that that dog is free from genetic defects common to the breed. Bad hips bad knees bad eyes, what ever the paticular common genetic (or not so common) problem with the breed is weeded out. Dogs with those problems are not usually championed in the show ring. Or if they are and the problem turns up in offspring or the dog a good breeder stops breeding them. Soooooooo when a dog of proven health and quality is bred to another dog of proven health and quality you have a much better chance of producing a HEALTHY (with health being the operative word) animal that meets breed standards. About a year and a half ago I went looking for a puppy (a maltese). I was appalled at the cost of the dogs from the "show" breeder. Not understanding any of the aboe I sought out a wonderful "home breeder". She was the nicest little old lady who had two maltese (never shown) that she bred once a year for fun and sold the puppies at a fraction of the cost of the show breeders. She had a clean home, LOVED her dogs and seemed to know how to take care of them. HOW COULD I GO WRONG? I bought a puppy and he has become the light of my life. We all, including our sheepie have fallen in love with the little guy. I don't really care that his coat isn't "show quality" or that his coloring is bit off, or even that he has a slight over bite. What I do care about is the fact that due to poor breeding and failure to pay attention to genetics I am now facing over $4000 in medical bill and two surgeries to correct a genetic problem (luxating patella) that I most probably would not have faced had I adopted a puppy from a "show" breeder. Showing and championing a dog is no guarantee of the health of the offspring but I bet if you took a poll you would find far fewer serious genetic problems in dogs that are shown and gentically tested than from pups born to "home" breeders. Another important consideration is the health and well being of your bitch. Having puppies is not without risk and complication. Perhaps not so much with the large breeds as with the small but it can be a heartbreaking enterprise to lose a mom or pups. PLEASE consider all of this when making the very important decision as to whether or not to breed your dogs. Good luck with your decision |
| Hell.
This is exaclty the way I would talk to My Next Door Neighbor Over The Fence or Having a Cup of Coffee or Tea at My Table!!!!! I run a little OES Rescue in Texas. It makes me want to pull My Hair Out To Hear " I have a Male and Female and "I AM THINKING ABOUT HAVING PUPPIES"!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you have any idea how many OES puppies are for sell right now on the internet? That isn't counting the hundreds that are for sell in local news papers. Just set back and read all the problems people on this forum have had with their Babies. Read the post about all the Babies that are in rescue needing a home because the person that got them didn't understand the Breed and The Breeder didn't care where that Baby went.......... Please Stop And Think About The Responsibity Breeding Bares!!!!!!!! You Are Holding A persons HEART In Your Hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm Sorry For My Attitude about Breeding!!!!!!! No I'm Not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kaye, Second Chance OES Rescue |
| The first question that comes to mind is "Why?".
If it is to make a few bucks, unless you are breeding dogs with no health-checks and not shown at dog shows, you will spend more than you will bring in. And if you are breeding low quality dogs you may make in your pocket will cost someone else down the road...or even cost the life of the puppy. If it is for fun, then I would suggest you offer to foster a pregant bitch in a shelter and enjoy those puppies. The world does not need anymore dogs as it is already saturated. New pups don't ask to be born, and there is no way you can ensure that they will be healthy and happy all their lives without taking responsibilty for their whole lifetime...which good breeders do. For a small look at the plight of homeless dogs go to www.Petfinder.com. All of those animals were born at some point under the control of human being who chose NOT to spay/neuter and then to bring them into this world, and then left them high and dry as someone's else responsibility. If it is to better the breed, then test your dogs, show them to their Championships, find a breeder to mentor you and have fun with yoor litter! But please make sure all resulting pet quality pups are spayed/neutered at the appropriate ages. And welcome to the forum! |
| OOPS......That Hell in my post was supposed to be Hello???? Fraudian Slip!!!!!!!!!! Sheepie Hugs, Kaye |
Shug wrote: OOPS......That Hell in my post was supposed to be Hello???? Fraudian Slip!!!!!!!!!! Sheepie Hugs, Kaye
HAHAHAHAAHAH, it's ok Kaye, PASSION becomes you!!!! |
| Plus you need to think about what happens if you couldn't find homes for all of the pups. Are you ready to have several dogs at your house? What happens if one of your puppy buyers decides it can't keep a dog a year down the road, because they may not have trained it properly, moving, divorce, illness, etc.? Are you willing to take the older dog back, or are you comfortable with the though that the dog may end up in a shelter? What happens if you dogs have some type of obvious health issues like epilepsy or hip displaysia? How would you handle a puppy buyer crying hysterically on the phone that their dog was not healthy. You need to think about all of these things.
Please don't breed just because you think YOUR dog is special. I am also questioning where you purchased your male & female, because I would say an ethical breeder would not just let you breed your dogs without some type of restriction or long term mentoring. If you really want to do this the right way you need to immerse yourself within your local OES breed club. Get to know the people, learn everything possible you can from them. Then maybe some day down the road you will be ready. PLEASE, PLEASE don't just breed these dogs because you love them and think they would make great puppies. Everyone loves their own dogs. Just think how many dogs there would be if everyone decided to mate them. |
| I just want to say WELCOME! I hope you are learning a lot from this discussion. I agree with a lot of what has been said, especially how Tasker's mom stated it. I think it is wonderful that you have two OES who demonstrate good personality. That is KEY to the Old English breed in general and I applaud you for bringing out this wonderful quality in your two dogs.
One thing to add to the above: when an Old English is shown in the ring, they are judged on breed standard such as how they are built, etc, etc. BUT they also look for good breed temperament. A reputable breeder not only screens for health and the correct "body build" but the temperament of the dog, too. SO if you're really considering having puppies, I would find a dog show in your area, meet with an Old English handler, and see if you can get started in this area. The Old English Sheepdog Club of America has great resources and can help you find people around you to meet with. Good luck and keep us informed on your decision, as it is a very big one! |
| Hi EnglishSheepie,
Welcome to the forum! I'm so glad you decided to ask for our opinion here and that shows you care and are thinking this seriously. I know when I mentioned something on another animal forum about my bunny I was blasted by someone whom assumed my bun was a hutch bunny when I mentioned his outdoor space. She (the poster) in my tiny post assumed he was, due to something I mentioned about his outdoor pen. I remember thinking ..hey you don't even know anything about me or my bunny's living situation..how can you make some many judgments based on my blurb. I quess the point is we need to know more information as we're all here to help. Taskers Mom is coming from a view point that while the home breeder thought she knew well...her puppies are plaqued with health issues. How awful it would be to have a beloved pet in your home for years and then find out it desperately needed surgery. Would the pet owner come up with the monies needed or would they just hand over the dog to the spca? In Taskers mom's case she's a wonderful mom and paid the 4,000. Not all dogs are as lucky to have such a good mom. If the original owner doesn't want the responsibility of such an expense..what are the chances that someone would adopt a dog like this at the spca? The chances are very slim. Shug is coming from a rescue view point..we've heard her heartbreaking stories of sheepies being made to breed over and over again and then dumped when they could no longer reproduce. Our hearts break each time at those stories. This isn't to say that you would be doing this but what about those whom you sell your future puppies to? You sound like you love your sheepies very much , there is no doubt about that but (sorry had to put a but in there) it's the puppies futures we worry about and their puppies...and so on. A responsible breeder - one who has waited years to breed all the while making sure the hip checks, eyes and other test have been done..that is a must. It's imperitive that all that is done BEFORE a dog is ever bred so as not to pass on any genetic imperfections in their pet and the future generations. A good breeder also makes their clients sign a legal document preventing the new puppies parents from breeding unless they have the breeders say so. Why? Not all puppies are good candidates for furture breeding..it's why cost are different..pet and show. Now "pet" quality puppies are perfect in every way and nothing "wrong" with them at all but they usually have a minor imperfection which would disqualify them in the show ring. Again the breeder is very careful that the new parents know that "pet" will be neutered or spayed as they can't be added to the future genetic pool. Show dogs on the other hand are shown in the rings...viewed by numerous judges and some may gain the status of champion. Once that is achieved they are then bred. They will continue the standard of the breed and protect the standard of that breed for future generations. To make it easier to understand lets say we had Dog A and B. Dog A looks perfect in every way..beautiful, gentle disposition, but has very bad hips that wouldn't show up until the age of three on X-rays . Dog A's owner might think my dog is so gorgeous and gentle I would love to breed her/him. Then a few years later he/she developes hip dysplasia which is genetic. The cost of surgery is very high..aprox 5,000 dollars. Chances are dogs A pups will all have hip dysplasia as well in their future. All of dogs A's puppies owners will also have to go through this with their dogs - after years of having them and loving them. They might come back to you and try to sue or face the devestating choice of putting their beloved dogs down if they can't afford the surgery. These are the pups that Shug comes into contact with so you can see how sensitive she is to this. It's what happened to Taskers mom too. Lets say Dog B's mom purchased him as "show" which is almost double the price of Dog A, whom purchased hers as "pet" She has plans to use him for breeding in the future after showing him/her in the ring and gain champion status. However Dog B while beautiful and of show quality exhibits some aggressive personality. Dog B's mom had permission from the breeder to eventually breed but she becomes concerned over her dogs increasing aggressiveness and makes the conscious choice of getting him neutered/spayed which is the responsible thing to do. A pup from champion dogs doesn't quarantee that the pups will also gain champion status but does come from a responsible breeder who maintains contacts with all the pups for LIFE. In all circumstances a responsible breeders contract will guarantee that for whatever reason she will take back the pups at any time for the duration of their Life. Most people whom just breed dogs as a hobby don't realize that commitment. The breeder will also have a signed contract guaranting her pets health. As with all laws of nature sometimes things happen unexplicably and even the pup with the best parents can have a minor defect or undesirably personality trait. Chances are slim but again a good breeder will work with the new family to rectify the problem. It's not about the money at all but for the betterment of the breed as others have stated. In my home I have 3 dogs, 2 of which are sheepies. One was a rescue whom came from a puppymill...sadly he has hip dysplasia in both hips. It breaks my heart to see my boy start to limp if he runs with the other dogs at the dog park. (surgery is not an option at this time but that's another story). I also have Merlin whom was purchased as show . I did all the right things...went through the AKC, asking for reptuable breeders, ect... I thought he would be used as a stud in his future and I'd keep one of his daughters..he came from a long line of champions which went back generations. However by 10 months I noticed he was very dominant and an intact male is more so...so I made the tough decision to have him neutered. I also come from a rescue standpoint and recently wrote on this forum about fostering a mom cat and her kittens for the spca. 60 kittens were in foster care last month alone! It broke my heart as I found out for every kitten a healthy cat was put down at the shelter as sadly their was not enough room. The cages were full and their were not enough new adopters. Cats that were just a year old were put down to make room for the new kittens whom had a better chance of adoption. Like Shug sometimes you want to shake people and say...Look...please get your pet spayed and neutered..this is the end result of their offspring. However it's kinda an out of sight out of mind sorta thing as the pet owners would be horrified to see what happens to their pets offspring in the future. These pet owners are nice people and would never have knowingly done that..they just didn't know and education is the key. Their faces haunt me..the numerous dogs/cats and other small creatures at the shelter...never enough homes. You just want to cry as you can't save them all. Anyhow forgive me I'm rambling. In a nutshell we don't know enough about your situation but we want to help you make the best decision for your pet. If you are not in contact with the original breeder please don't make the step of breeding your boy and girl. Another poster was right..you can foster puppies if you feel the urge to have them around. We are a friendly group here and many of us have learned so much from coming here. I hope you stay around and become a member. Eventually you'll see how we all came to the same mindset regarding breeding, health and behavioral issues. This forum has a goldmine of info and the people here have forged friendships all across the world. We don't want to alienate you and breeding is a touchy issue for some. As Ron stated we want to chat with you as if you were a neighbor sharing a cup of coffee with us. The darn net however, prevents the intonation of voices to come through and while it sounds as if we are jumping on you...we are just stating our viewpoints. (if you read the rescue stories in here you'll see where the majority of us get the viewpoint.) If you stick around long enough ..you may even get the same viewpoint. I hope you come back and give us more info about your situation. Cheers! Marianne and the furballs |
| Oh Marianne, You have the Kindest Sweetest Heart!!!!! My Passion For The Breed and Rescue is Why I don't Post More Then I Do....There is No Middle Of THe Road For Me......I wish I could go back over the 25 years when I would rescue a Baby here and there. I didn't have a Tainted Heart then......The saddest Part Of Rescuing Is What It Does To A Person....A person has to learn how to deal with the emotions that go along with rescuing or you burn out..... After you get lied to so many times you don't believe anything anyone tells you. You can't deep end every time you get a Baby that is Horrible Physical Condition. You can't Go Off The Deep End over how could someone do that to a dog... You would spend all your time stressed out and not be able to help Those Babies That Need Your Help..... So Rescue Does Harden Your Heart Toward The Humans BUT Never The Babies.................................................................................................... I wish I could go back but I can't.................... Give Me All The Babies That No One Else Wants............ Sheepie Hugs, Kaye Second Chance OES Rescue |
| Hi Shug,
No it's you that has the kindest heart! I know the financial and emotional toll it takes doing what you do and it does harden the heart. I know how frustrated I get as a single mom when I'm spending my last bit of cash on other people's responsibilities. If I as a single mom can somehow find the cash - how could two working people have not? I ask myself. I am so disillusioned when I hear of those that give up a pet because their pet has a medical issue or something else. They are the throwaways in our society - just disposable to some ..like some kids and old people are too. It hurts and makes your head spin to think about it all. It's all about priorities. I always say we can't save them all...yet it hurts so much and can't turn our backs sometimes when we see an animal in pain. You are like the soldier doing the grunt work...not given the credit you deserve but without people like you around..the whole system would break down. You are in the forfront of the horrible work that most turn their backs on or choose not to see. You are my hero and that of many whom can't speak for themselves- the animals. Yes, it does harden the heart but also softens it when you get that joy seeing a previously abused dog come up to you for a pat on the head or a little kitten purring in your arms. Then you know you've found your calling in life. Marianne and the furballs |
| Chiming in here just to say that I know where you're coming from when it comes to wanting to have puppies out of a beautiful dog that you love. I've raised OES for the past 14 years. I love my dogs, and I love the breed, and I admit to having the fantasy of breeding, somewhere down the road. I love the idea, and would really enjoy raising the puppies, although I know I'd have a terrible time sending them off to the forever homes.
I also know that unless my life changes dramatically very soon (ie, I win the lottery and can quit my job and buy a place in the country where I'd have tons of room for dogs to run), I won't do it. Don't get me wrong--I'd really, really love to do it. But the reality is that I don't have time to show dogs, and I think that's one of the best safeguards that buyers have: dog shows where the dogs are examined for looks and health and breed conformation, yes, but also for temperment, which imo, is THE most important part of dog breeding. The health checks are important-- vital--and expensive! Very! The thing is, I know by the reactions I get to my dogs, that I could sell puppies pretty easily. In fact, people ask me all the time how much I want for my puppies (I have a 7 year old dog, and 6 month old littermates). They're so cute as puppies, and beautiful as adults. Sigh. I understand the love and the impulse behind wanting to have puppies. But I also understand the reality of caring for dogs for 12-14 years, the last year or so of which can be very expensive and emotionally difficult. And I understand the reality of someone who doesn't know what he/she is doing acquiring an OES, with the very best of intentions but no realistic idea of how much time and effort they require: grooming, even if kept in short coat, exercise, training, attention! These are not backyard pets, and they are so energetic and get big so quickly ! Too many are turned over to rescues because the owners didn't realize what they were getting into. This is not something I want to happen to any dog (although there are wonderful homes out there, as you can tell by the loving and generous posters on this forum!) |
| I've enjoyed reading everyone's reply so far and hope to get more. I did read a lot on the breed before I got them and I'm still researching. I will take all precautions before I breed. I just wanted some advice on breeding. I have another question...How close should their tails be docked? My male looks like there is nothing there, But my females tail is almost 2 inches. Just curious. |
| Welcome to the forum. In addition to what everyone else has said, I just want to BEG you... please please please make sure you are ready for this. It takes years of research, planning, learning, and tons of dedication, money and time to breed oes.
If you do not know each dog in your dog's pedigree for far more than the simple 3 generation pedigree most akc/ckc dogs come with, you could be walking into a myriad of problems, huge vet bills, heartache for yourself and anyone who buys a pup from you and most importantly you could be responsible for the suffering of innocent puppies who didn't ask to be born. OES are one of the MOST plagued breeds in terms of health issues. Approximately 32 serious genetic health issues can and do crop up in the breed without careful planning. Even with careful planning and the best of intentions things can and do go wrong. Are you prepared to spend thousands on emergency vet bills? For a c section in the middle of the night? To hand raise a littler of sick puppies if your bitch dies? Are you prepared to have a (or ALL) puppy buyer return their pups? Are you prepared for someone to call you and describe their heartache when their dog that they bought from you has epilepsy, heart defects, hip displaysia, is deaf and or blind, develops cancer, or bleeds to death from the inside out because they have clotting problems, an autoimmune disease etc? Are you prepared to teach your puppy buyers how to properly socialize, groom, feed and care for their dog in every way? If not, those puppies may end up in rescue, or worse, put to sleep. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, I don't mean to. I just would like to advise you to keep all these things in mind.... If you just want another oes because you love yours so much, great! There are hundreds given up every year who need homes... or, if you specifically love your own dogs, and want something related to them, it is far cheaper to go buy another puppy from your breeder than it is to raise your own litter.... |
| The tails vary. The practice in the US is to dock them short - like your male. In the UK and Australia and other places around the world, it is illegal to dock tails and crop ears on any breed of dog.
Welcome to the forum, and I know you will find lots of good info. Please consider long and hard before breeding your 2 dogs. It just doesn't sound like you have a good knowledge base, just loving your own dogs is never the best reason to breed. Many inherited traits show up later in a dog's life. If you are not aware of the lineage of your dogs and the diseases and physical conditions that have cropped up, you are not doing anyone a favor by breeding them. How old are your dogs anyway? Just curious and that would have a bearing on making a decision. |
EnglishSheepie wrote: I just wanted some advice on breeding.
This is not a breeder's forum, so perhaps another place would be better able to assist you with your questions in that area. There are some breeders here, but typically we are folks with OES's as pets, and we share information on buying, rescuing, training and enjoying and raising them..not breeding them. The OES Breed Club would be able to refer you to resources in that area, in maybe a Yahoo Group or a forum specifically for questions geared towards that side of things. Actually, where did you get your dogs? The breeder that you got them from would be able to help you with all the issues/questions etc that you have. They would be able to tell you why the tails were docked at such a length. And if you don't know who the breeder is, then please don't breed them. |
EnglishSheepie wrote: Does any know how many puppies an OES can have? Also when are OES considered full grown and is there a weight difference between the sexes? Just wondering because my male is twice the size of my female, But he is almost three months older. Any advice would be great! THANKS!
Please don't go ahead and produce puppies, you really don't know anything much about the breed if you are asking these simple questions. You have a lot to learn, even with the question on docking length on a sheepdog. I hope you take into consideration all the experienced posts that people have posted here and take a step back and learn first, via a mentor or the breed club before doing something you might regret & bring a possbility of a huge heart break to you & your sheepies down the track.  |
Bosley's mom wrote: This is not a breeder's forum, so perhaps another place would be better able to assist you with your questions in that area. There are some breeders here, but typically we are folks with OES's as pets, and we share information on buying, rescuing, training and enjoying and raising them..not breeding them. While most of us are pet owners, some very well respected breeders and showers both post to and just read this forum. Others have done a ton of research and have purchased animals as breeding stock and have decided NOT to breed their OES because of a defect found in the line. Another I know of is still working up to their first breeding. Still others were breeders for many years and then turned to rescue.
Some of the ones I have listed have already given their advice. (One of the biggest names in the OES rescue world had been a breeder for many years.) Maybe you could cut short the cycle and go directly into Rescue! |
| I am always being asked to Stud Ollie out, as he has champions etc in his line, and he has the most gentle temprement, I am also aware of how much money I could make, but I choose not to for the following reason (personal to me only) I just couldn't bear the worry that the puppies wouldn't go to a good home and I would worry myself sick, as there are far too many out there anyway. When I bought Ollie, I read books on OES, took advice, found a reputable breeder. for me Ollie is a pet and i just want to love him and give him a happy life in a safe home.
I hope you don't take any offence from comments, as per Ron's mail, but as I am sure you can appreciate, we are all very pasionate about the Sheepie breed. As all too often you hear the horror stories where people rush in to these things, hope you find all the information useful. |
Oh yes and just one more thing, despite me reading up etc, I would never assume to be any kind of expert, I am very green despite me doing all my research, so please please think long and hard, its all too easy to think you can just do it  |
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