Quote Originally Posted by Spoons View Post
that's really neat. All stuff I didn't know. I have some knowledge of breeding dogs (not because I do so myself, rather because it's hard NOT to in today's world) and I own a horse, so I get all the breeding talk there too. It seems that it's pretty universal about the general populus looking at breeding as being a horrible nasty thing that nobody should ever do unles your horseis the picture perfect example of its breed (very rare) AND has happened to win 4000000 shows (getting forst of course) and have the most placid dog temperment, and of course it has to be registered with award winning show horses in all of its lineage, and even then they have an anti vibe at you. All for similar reasons- there's so many horses in slaughter and in rescues that it's considered irresponsible to breed.

Which is of course silly. If everybody stopped breeding we'd have no more horses, or dogs, or what have you. Obviously I think it should be regulated and reined in a bit, I don't think just anybody should pump out baby animals, but I generally avoid breeding discussion, lol. I was actually a bit shocked when I came around here and everybody talked about breeding snakes like it's no big thing.

All very interesting! I will have to go look up more about rats now. I wanted a rat when I was younger, and though I likely won't buy any now, I am still fond of them!
I agree! I too was quite shocked when I started going onto these snake groups, and saw everyone talk about breeding. I was like, "Whoa! This is culture shock!" lol

I too have horses, and dogs, and so much else! lol I do think breeding is important, but I also think there should be purpose behind it, beyond strictly making money that is. I think there should be goals, whether it is a more aesthetically pleasing animal (as is the case with our snakes - though I think temperament and health, i.e. feeding response, should also be considered), a food/production animal, or an animal that actually performs a job. I have no interest in breeding dogs or horses, way too much money going into that! But I did used to work at an Arabian horse breeding stable. In fact, one of my two horses came from that breeder, and he's an amazing animal! 70-something% Crabbet bloodlines, wonderful temperament and personality, nice build, and pretty much a good all-around horse. He doesn't have any show titles, not because he isn't good enough, but because I simply haven't put the time and effort into showing him (no time, not enough money, little desire). Sometimes I'm kind of sad i had him gelded, because he is such a wonderful horse, all around, but I am happy I did because all good stallions make great geldings!

I have a dog who may very well be purebred Dutch Shepherd, but was adopted from a shelter (he was picked up as an unneutered stray). He's neutered now, but shows a lot of that working driving. I think that's an important part of dog breeding - breeding for a purpose, and for some breeds, breeding that working ability and drive. Some breeds I think really shouldn't exist (i.e. those who can't breed or birth naturally), and I think its sad how some breeds are so different now than they were decades or centuries ago because of shows. But that's neither here nor there, and not something I'm involved in either way.

I AM breeding goats. I have dairy goats, and of course to produce milk you need babies! My buck isn't registered, though possibly purebred. For my purposes, that may not really matter, because the babies I produce can double as market animals. I'm going to wait to see how this first set of babies comes out, but I'm seriously considering getting him neutered, then putting some money into a good quality registered buck (whether it be the same breed as my does, or a meat breed from which I can produce market babies, or one of both!). My doe is registered, and I'm looking at purchasing a second registerable doe. I feel that if I'm going to be breeding these animals, there needs to be purpose behind them, because where I live, pet goats really aren't a huge thing. I'm ok with making market babies that will be made into meat - they still have a purpose and won't go to waste. I'm also ok with producing good quality does who can in turn be used to produce more milk. And if I find a pet buyer, I'm ok with that too. I just want to make sure each and every baby has a purpose and place to go, and doesn't just end up a random casualty of the mass producing, impulsive world we live in.

I guess that's a little bit of a tangent, but just wanted to say I agree.