I am very sensitive about asking others about their business, as we own a small retail shop here in San Antonio. I am aware of the time and effort it takes to acquire your knowledge, so please feel no insult if I am asking for too much.Thank You.
I have a 16 year old maltese who has very good championship lines, however, I also have two "throw away dogs" one is a 5 yr. old shepard/ rottie mix from the humane society -- one of the most affectionate and sweet dogs I've had in my life, she was given up as part of a whole litter by some fool that didn't believe in spaying and neutering and yet was unresponsible. The other is 4.9# yorkie/yorkie mix that I found in a dumpster (4 years ago) when it weighed less than a # and my vet thought it was less than a month old. Two out of my three cats were also rescued. I have 6 animals in my house and basically a little over 60% of the group were "thrown away."
Hopefully you are not looking at this for merely making a little money -- it doesn't always work out that way -- read the "Response to outrageous Prices" letter on the home page. I am not a breeder, merely an animal lover. While I think if one enters breeding animals as a business, a serious business or as a s serious hobbyist that is concerned with showing, improving and safe- guarding the qualities of the breed that is one thing -- but to just breed for the heck of it, to provide "pets" and make some money -- not good! Just volunteer at your local animal shelter and see how many "beautiful and loving pets" are destoyed every day because someone for whatever dumb reason decided to let their animal produce new "pets."
Sorry if I offended anyone, but if you are not going to seriously
go into breeding, than don't do it. Spay and neuter your pets, unless
you show it. If you don't believe me visit your local animal shelter --
they destroy not only "mutts" and mixed breeds; they also destroy "pure
breeds"!
Rebecca
The fact, Robert, that you admit to NOT knowing the difference between a "show" quality dog as opposed to one that may not be "born for the ring" is EXACTLY why you should NOT BREED your dog at this time. If you are interested in learning more about the breed then I will be more than happy to put you in touch with some of my Texas friends that can assist you. However, don't ask them about your dog unless you are TRULY interested in obtaining an honest, unbiased opinion. You may not like what they will tell you.
On the other hand, you may be pleasantly suprised to find that your male has "something" to offer to the BREED as a whole. After all, that is the ONLY ACCEPTABLE reason for breeding your dog - it must offer a positive influence on the breed as a whole into successive generations. And, to do this it must surely be bred responsibly, with knowledge and understanding of the probable outcome, to the appropriate member of the opposite sex.
Again, I ENCOURAGE you to breed your dog if he does indeed posess that certain definition of "typiness" and "balance" that our breed needs to continue to captivate the hearts of its admirers.
As Rebecca said, to breed for ANY reason, financial or otherwise, other than
to produce a better dog in every successive generation is WRONG, those who
breed without knowlegde and guidance, will surely, even if unintentionally,
that lessens the breed, not advances it.
Larry Stanberry, Divine Maltese