All-In: The Life of a Dedicated Dog Breeder
When I tell people I breed Standard Poodles, I often get the same response: “Oh, that must be so fun! You get to play with puppies all day!” And don’t get me wrong—there are plenty of fun opportunities with puppies. But if you think this life is all wiggly tails and puppy breath, buckle up. Breeding and showing dogs isn’t just a hobby; it’s a full-time passion that requires every ounce of commitment, planning, and (let’s be honest) caffeine I can muster.
The Title Hustle
Here’s the thing about showing dogs: you don’t just stroll into a ring, wave a treat, and collect a ribbon. Getting a title means endless preparation. Training, grooming, traveling—it’s a grind. And I’m all-in. My dogs don’t just dabble in conformation; they dominate. We start with UKC, building confidence (and shiny Grand Champion titles) before they step into the big leagues of AKC. Since I work full time, I partner with a second-generation poodle breeder and handler. It’s a system that works, even if it means juggling show schedules with work and late-night conditioning and grooming sessions.
Every title we earn isn’t just a trophy for the shelf—it’s a testament to my dogs’ quality, training, and temperament. It’s validation that all my careful planning is paying off.
The Health-Testing Extravaganza
Ask any ethical breeder, and they’ll tell you: health testing isn’t optional. It’s mandatory. My dogs undergo more tests than most people see in a lifetime. Hips, cardiac, thyroid, eyes, complete genetic panels—the works. I’m not just looking for dogs that pass; I’m searching for dogs that excel. It’s a lot of paperwork, expenses, and vet visits, but ensuring my puppies start life on the right paw is non-negotiable.
Investing in my own testing tools has paid off since I can do immunology titers, progesterone, thyroid TSH and T4, and more from home. I also invested in an ultrasound to see the pups in the womb and to check on my girls when delivery stalls. Last but not least, I invested in an incubator and oxygenator to give pups their best chances, especially any that are at risk like my recent “preemie”.
Testing isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. It’s what separates breeders who prioritize the future of the breed from those who just… breed.
Pedigree Detective
Some people binge-watch true crime shows; I dig into pedigrees. A great pedigree isn’t just a list of names; it’s a story of lineage, health, and potential. I’ve studied lines for years, and learned from my mentors, mapping out how structure, temperament, and health flow through generations. There’s no room for guessing.
Planning a litter isn’t throwing two pretty dogs together. It’s analyzing structure, movement, balance, and compatibility like a mad scientist. It’s not unusual to find me sprawled out with stacks of pedigree charts, muttering about COIs (coefficient of inbreeding) and dreaming about the perfect front assembly.
The Next Generation
Breeding isn’t about what I want—it’s about what the breed needs. Every puppy I raise represents years of work, planning, and care. I’m raising the next generation of champions, companions, service dogs, and therapy heroes.
And that’s the magic. Knowing that the hours spent studying and testing, the weekends at shows, and the endless planning does create dogs that not only meet the standard but exceed it.
Why I Do It
I’m all-in because I believe in this breed. I believe in preserving their health, beauty, and intelligence. I believe in raising puppies who will change lives.
Yes, it’s hard work. It’s expensive, exhausting, and sometimes heartbreaking. But when I see my dogs move effortlessly around the ring or watch a puppy I bred excel as a service dog, every late night, every sacrifice, every ounce of effort becomes worth it.
This isn’t just a job or a hobby; it’s my calling. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, the next time someone asks if breeding is just playing with puppies, I’ll smile and think, “Sure, if puppies come with pedigree charts, health tests, and a full tank of gas for the next dog show.”
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