I finally got permission to get my first snake when I was 10. I didn't think of breeding till I was in high school.(thats the snakes not myself) And XX years later I was able to keep reptiles again and decided to breed them again. So I would say I kept them as pets for quite a while to fully appreciate and understand the beauty of them. I just have alot more now.

Don't rush it. Take your time and enjoy the animal. The breeding part is just another part of it's life cycle.