I know we've got some breeders on the forum, and I'm just wondering what got you into it in the first place?
As sort of a bit of context for why I'm asking....
I'm not seriously thinking about breeding any time soon. However, I'm curious about it, and I'm not ruling it out as a possibility *maybe* one day. Here's the thing. I don't really care for conformation (though if I had a dog that enjoyed it and didn't think it was death I probably would have some fun with it), and within my breed lure coursing is the sport to prove your dogs. I have nothing against lure coursing (I think it looks like a lot of fun for the dogs and it is impressive to watch), but my main sport is agility and I don't particularly want to risk injury on the lure coursing field. Naturally then, my default is to not really have an interest in breeding.
That said, what I DO have a very keen interest in is the breed and preservation of the breed. The majority of greyhounds you see are retired racers. Which is amazing and I have a retired racer myself, and I'm involved with my local adoption group. But racing is declining. I don't suggest I know a lot about the racing industry or what is happening with it right now, but I do have a concern that if racing actually ends it will be a huge population of greyhounds lost as far as companions go.
There are greyhound breeders out there of course, but most of the really well established ones that I know of are... well they've been doing it for awhile. I'm not really sure what the next generation of breeders is looking like. It's something I intend to ask my breeder about since she'll know more. But I figure the next generation has to come from somewhere and you have to start learning at some point... no one was born knowing about breeding great dogs.
Anyway, it's just some thoughts that have been percolating around my head. I'm not sure it's something I ever actually want to do. But I'm curious what got others started. Were you interested in breeding specifically... or like me was it just an interest in your breed? Did you have to get into conformation or performance or were you already doing those things?
ETA: If I did decide to breed I would of course first title the dog(s) in question in conformation and field trials, as well as agility, and health test. I intend to be a very good breeder if I elect to do it. My point was just that those aren't my natural interests and I don't particularly participate in them at this time when I have no plans to breed.
As sort of a bit of context for why I'm asking....
I'm not seriously thinking about breeding any time soon. However, I'm curious about it, and I'm not ruling it out as a possibility *maybe* one day. Here's the thing. I don't really care for conformation (though if I had a dog that enjoyed it and didn't think it was death I probably would have some fun with it), and within my breed lure coursing is the sport to prove your dogs. I have nothing against lure coursing (I think it looks like a lot of fun for the dogs and it is impressive to watch), but my main sport is agility and I don't particularly want to risk injury on the lure coursing field. Naturally then, my default is to not really have an interest in breeding.
That said, what I DO have a very keen interest in is the breed and preservation of the breed. The majority of greyhounds you see are retired racers. Which is amazing and I have a retired racer myself, and I'm involved with my local adoption group. But racing is declining. I don't suggest I know a lot about the racing industry or what is happening with it right now, but I do have a concern that if racing actually ends it will be a huge population of greyhounds lost as far as companions go.
There are greyhound breeders out there of course, but most of the really well established ones that I know of are... well they've been doing it for awhile. I'm not really sure what the next generation of breeders is looking like. It's something I intend to ask my breeder about since she'll know more. But I figure the next generation has to come from somewhere and you have to start learning at some point... no one was born knowing about breeding great dogs.
Anyway, it's just some thoughts that have been percolating around my head. I'm not sure it's something I ever actually want to do. But I'm curious what got others started. Were you interested in breeding specifically... or like me was it just an interest in your breed? Did you have to get into conformation or performance or were you already doing those things?
ETA: If I did decide to breed I would of course first title the dog(s) in question in conformation and field trials, as well as agility, and health test. I intend to be a very good breeder if I elect to do it. My point was just that those aren't my natural interests and I don't particularly participate in them at this time when I have no plans to breed.