Breeding

[AbbiColoSpgs]

Where do I find a German Shorthair Male(Colo.Springs) to breed with mine? We adore our Short hair - great disposition, hunter, beautiful!! Now what do I do?

[Whispering Hills]

First, ask yourself why you want to breed your girl. Lots of owners feel they should do it just because they have a great dog. That's not a reason to breed. If you're doing it to sell puppies, please reconsider.

To do the job well requires you have sound knowledge including genetic selection. A quality breeder easily spends thousands of dollars on a breeding. Here's an overview of typical costs. Note that if there are any complications, this can double or triple:
Health clearances for your bitch:
OFA hips & elbows $300.
CERF and Optigen (eyes): $150
Blood work, including brucella titre: $120
Pelvic exam: $50
The above is just to find out if your girl is clear of genetic and health defects. If not she should be spayed.
Progesterone testing: $45 three or four times before breeding. Total $150 - $180
Stud fee: $1000 - $1500
Shipping for semen: $125
Insemination by a veterinarian: $120
x-rays and or ultrasound at 8 weeks after insemination: $150
Dew claw removal for the litter: $15 per puppy.
Puppy vaccinations and worming: $20 per puppy by the time they're 7 weeks old.
Total for the above if your girl is able to deliver without a problem and all pups are healthy: about $2,650

If she can't whelp on her own, add another $1300 for an emergency c-section.
If the litter gets sick.... add $$

None of this is exagerated. The fact is, quality breeders do not make money on breeding - they typically take a loss. For example, all of the above expenses are constant, even if after all is done, you only have one or two puppies. Sometimes, you get no live pups.

So, the point I try to make is, if you are not a professional breeder, leave it to those who are. The only way to reduce costs is to forego the proper health issues. Anyone who does that is doing a real diservice to the breed. You risk the health of your girl, and you produce puppies of poor quality, which eventually may be bred which in turn degrades the quality of the breed. Don't do that.

The world is full of back yard breeders who have good intentions. If you love your dog, and you love the breed, leave breeding to the experts.

[kninebirddog]

What will you do with puppies that do not sale

I work on a pheasant preserve and we get a few calls every year from well intentioned breedings that there is no OFA or on some they don't even have papers. and they want to know if we have any clients looking for pups or they want to Give us the pups because they are 12-16 weeks old and they can't get rid of them.

If you go to the main site there is 780 GSP kennels breeders listed. Go search some of the programs call and talk to breeders which lines and studs are producing better...Got to watch out with any breed which lines are more aggressive in nature versus more noted for more biddable temperaments. Have more of a plan then just the first dog that is the same breed and has nuts.

And as for buddies that want puppies/dogs..You would be amazed at when pups are on the ground and you tell them and they back out faster then a straight guy who walked into a gay bar

Good Luck

[AbbiColoSpgs]

Thank you both for all the information, and I will definitely consider what you have said. We have owned pure bred GPS for 25 years now. We have had many different experiences with each one (5 total). We purchased one that his papers went on and on about he's amazing background in the field and show. Ended up to be an absolutely beautiful dog but worthless in the field. We have another that would rather have her nails done and sleep in the truck than participate. The one I want to breed, we have several family members and friends that want one of her puppies. We are not doing it for the money. She is completely different from the others. Excellent hunter, large beautiful frame, great stamina, calm (which is soooo hard to find), and yes we want another too. We have bought from so many "acclaimed breeders" from all over the midwest, that this time we want the same bloodline as Abbi. She has been checked completely by our vet and ALL looks good. Thank you again for your input, definitely appreciate it!!!

[kninebirddog]

FWIW

Walnut Hills Kennel has a stud dog named Fritz...Fritz is a solid dog from field trials to hunting to hunt test NSTRA AKC (field and show) NAVDHA that dog has titles in those venues. Plus he is wild bird hunted from the prairies to texas and some states in between..I have run against Fritz when he was being run in NSTRA was one of the first GSP's I liked. And if I were to ever get one it would be through Walnut hills breeding program. Brenda and Rick are also super nice people and are extremely caring about their pups.

I am glad when people take concerns and accept them..Thank you...I know it can be a bitter pill brought up by some people but it is meant with good intentions on potential pups. There are some very nice litters and breeders out there. but as the main page can show there is well over 700 of them to wade through and of course they are all the best

[arcticretrievers]

Honestly this forum is one of the best, and nicest forums when it comes to opinions on whether or not to breed...it is quite refreshing.

[janice258]

Ditto arcticretrievers! Been lurking for a while until I decided to register already. I have learned valuable tips about my pet dog.

[Rustygunskennel]

I can agree with everything both K9 and Whispering hills have said, true quality breeders are doing it fo the Breed not for the fame or money. take you time and really focus on the breeder and their program. i can personally account for Sundance Kennels in MO and their associated Kennels. It would be difficult to find a better bloodline than the Westwind/Hustler lines. Just my 2 cents

Scott

[Shelite's Shorthairs]

If you are still thinking about breeding your female, I have a male that has 3 hall of fame dogs in his pedigree and 42 (I think) FC in it as well. I live in the middle of Kansas, so Colorado Springs is not that far away. If you are still thinking about it email me your female's pedigree and I will respond with my males.

Kris.Shelite@gmail.com

Kris