Have you ever wondered what the day and life of a dog breeder is like? There must be more to it than beautiful photos of sweet puppies, funny dog costumes, endless kisses right?
Well, “What it’s like” or maybe abbreviate it to “W.I.L” as a new category I may want to start here in my blog as an insight to interviewing individuals, you’d typically never really knew about or what they did– like for an example a dog breeder!
Let’s get started!
Theresa, a local Redlands French bulldog breeder is one of the few in the family that breeds dogs. She started years ago with Shih-tzu’s and took a break from the breed, only to be re-introduced into the kennel world with french bulldogs with the assistance of her sweet sister, Catherine!
- What is it like being a breeder?
What I can say is that for me is that it brings so much joy to my life! What started as a deep love of dogs turned into a passion for puppies and watching them grow. It grew into a loving passion, to be able to raise and nurture healthy loving family pets. I am very blessed to be able to take care of and litter raise these incredible angels that I call fur babies. It’s been the most amazing gift to be able to watch these little lives grow and become so loving. Watching them go to there forever families and the joy they bring is one of the greatest blessing that I love!
2. What is the #1 thing that people misconstrued about breeding/puppy raised?
You need to make sure that you know that you’ll have the time to be able to watch the mom and the babies– slowly introducing them to her. Many times they have undergone a c-section and may not be fully aware that they just became a new mommy. Sometimes they will not know what has happened and potentially could hurt their babies if unsupervised.
The babies will have to be kept warm. I chose to use heating pads, while others may use heating lamps. This too has to be monitored for temperature, making sure that no baby slips underneath the blankets or even stepped on by the mother. I would recommend talking and researching other breeders method– seeing which ones have given the best results for success -success in helping a healthy mommy and litter that you will be a care giving for.
There is a lot of care in cleaning up in keeping the puppies in a healthy and clean environment, especially when your puppies start to ween off the mommies. There are also veterinarian appointments and supervised play time with the puppies, making sure that they are eating and not chewing on anything that may cause choking. I find it important to make personal connections with the new families, interviewing them to make sure that their lifestyle fits the care for their new baby.
3. What sets you apart from other breeders?
I believe what sets me apart from some breeders is that I’m home mostly all the time with the puppies, from the time they are born until they go to there forever homes. They are raised in my house where I spend time in our puppy room, watching them grow and socialize with my family and friends. I feel like they are my babies from the time they are born. All of our babies are fed on a schedule after they are ween off of their moms and are vet checked for heart murmurs, and hernias and given their first vaccinations. Veterinarian health checks are a must in approval before they go to their forever homes.
4. If there was one piece of advice you’d give someone that was considering breeding dogs, what would it be?
I would make sure to do all your own research on whichever breed of dog that you are breeding, to know what specifically is involved between conception to birthing. Some breeds are different and will need certain other treatments and care while you are going through the birthing process. If you are working a full-time job (unless you have help) I would say that it would be very difficult for you. It’s a full-time job to watch and care for moms and babies. My greatest first concern is for the mommy dog, to make sure that she is healthy and fit for breeding considering to breed her.
5. What are the challenges/rewards of being a breeder?
I’m not sure whether to call it a challenge but more of a dedication. I’m a very small breeder. Some people have even called me a hobby breeder. I actually do more litter raising of my mom’s beautiful babies than my own. I believe it takes a lot of dedication and time. I typically do not attend events and my life becomes dedicated to watching these babies grow and caring for them until they go to their new homes. The first two weeks are usually the most critical in caring for the mother who generally has had a c-section. Recovery from surgery to making sure she does not get an infection from the procedure is important and remains well nourish so she does not get sick while her babies are nursing and taking necessary from her. From the time that the babies start weening off the moms, around five to six weeks old, it becomes more of cleaning and keeping in a healthy clean environment.
6. From Shih-tzu’s to French Bulldogs, what would you say are the difference in breeding the two?
Shih-tzu’s typically do not need c-section so the care for mommy usually takes less care from human intervention than it would with a French Bulldog mom.
7. With anyone that is inquiring to purchase a puppy from any breeder, what are some of the things you’d advice families to ask?
I would say is first do all your research about the French Bulldog breed and be aware of all the specific needs that might be different from another breed. I would ask the Breeder if you are able to meet with them and the puppies first to get a feel for how they have been raised and to see their personalities and environment they’ve been raised in. I would make sure that the breeder has done current vaccinations and has had a veterinarian health check. Make sure that you acquire any papers of pedigree certification preferable the AKC registration and I would definitely make sure that the breeder has a health warranty at least for a year that is signed and given to you as you take possession of your new baby.
8. What simple advice would you give a new puppy owner that has no experience with pets?
The best advice I could give to a new puppy owner is to do your research first. Make sure that you are going to be able to put into the time before you consider adding a new puppy to your family.
9. What has been the craziest request/encounter you’ve gotten from a potential client?
I’ve had a few incidents of scammers and what I can say if someone is asking for your shipping information and has not even talked with you, stay clear of that. You can get on the internet and see all the different ways that you can be scammed. I have also had a gentlemen show up at my door that gave me the weirdest feelings and requested for me to take pictures with the puppy holding the puppy close to my face. He was driving a black car with black windows, dressed in scrubs and plastic shoes. In the course of talking about the puppy he told me that I shouldn’t trust people and he also was an x homicide detective. I was feeling so scared by him, thank God I had my sister in law home with me and I told him he had to leave because I was not feeling well. Always make sure if you’re showing puppies, have a safety plan in place before you share anything with them.
Thank you “Frenchies of Cedar Estate” for being my first interview on “W.I.L”, I appreciate the time and effort it took to be thoughtful with your words.
If you’re ever interested in expanding your fur family, head over to her Instagram page, frenchiesofcedarestate. If you ever do have questions, email her at frenchiesofcedarestate@gmail.com.
She has a liter recently born, if you’ve been waiting in line for one– see what she has available before they’re all sold!
