Breeding for Dummies

[Wookie'sMom]

So the author of Rottweilers for Dummies has come out with a new book Breeding for Dummies. Like the dummies needed any help.:(

[spidey]

Um...everyone has to start somewhere. As far as I know, "Rottweilers for Dummies" is a good book, why would you assume that a breeding book by the same people would be any different? People are going to breed whether you like it or not, better that they at least have tools to educate themselves so that they can do it responsibly and ethically. The more books out there with good info, the better, as far as I'm concerned. No, it won't take the place of mentorship, but it could certainly be a great adjunct to it - the more sources of good info people have available to them (books, other breeders, whatever), the better. The world can always stand more good, educated dog breeders, it's the BAD breeders who are a problem.

[LavenderRott]

Besides, the bad breeders already think they know it all so I doubt they will buy the book.

[Judi W]

Well perhaps we should encourage someone to write a book "Rottweilers are not for Dummies" and "Breeding is not for Dummies"............ I would endorse such. My son always says "first you have to be smarter than the dog". The "..... for dummies" books seems to indicate that one doesn't need any brains for either endeavor. This is not a particularly good idea.

[sophie's-mom]

I don't think it's a bad idea if the information given includes health clearances, temperament testing, proper whelping and the such.

HOWEVER, I have seen some of the dogs that some people call Rottweilers in the illustrated pages of Rottweiler books.......I'll bet CONFORMATION won't be a very large chapter.

[samanthac]

I have very mixed feelings about this. On one hand it could be a really good source of information for the people, like me, who have no clue how to breed/whelp a litter and really want to educate themselves.

However for your average Joe Schmo who thinks they should breed Fluffy so their kids can see the miracle of life or because their Rover is SO cute or the scumbag who thinks breeding is a great way to make some money, then its a bad idea.

Of course, most of the aforementioned probably would not take the time to read a book because they think all ti takes it just throwing two dogs together and voile.

[Bruce Lanthier]

The problem is there are to many dummies breeding their dogs already. Now there's a book that will encourage the dummy that has been thinking about breeding to go ahead and do it. Heck, they learned about their computer from computers for dummies and that was easy so this book should make breeding easy too. Right? Just what we need, more dummies breeding dogs that can't meet strangers because they are to mean .

[samanthac]

Yes, possibly, and agreed on the dummies part. But again, most people would not take the time to read a book on breeding dogs when the general thought out there is that you just throw the two dogs together and BAM puppies.

There is tons of info out there on being good, responsible pet owners, how to properly train your dogs, etc but you don't see hoards of people flocking to those resources. If they don't even want to take the time to learn those things, then what makes us think that they will want to take the time out to learn how to properly breed and whelp a dog/puppies?

No, I think this book, while not the best idea in the world, will have very minimal impact because fact of the matter is that 90 percent of dog owners as well as the GP at large just don't have a clue and really don't want to.

Actually the title is a conundrum. Most of the dummies breeding don't want to learn and won't read the book. So the title should really be, "Breeding For People Who Really Want to Educate Themselves About It". :)

[TrishB]

I can't say that I see it like that. Anyone who actually buys this book is obviously looking to learn. As you've all said - irresponsible breeders will not be in the market for this book - as they don't feel that they have anything to learn.

If Joe-Schmoe is looking to learn, it probably is a good place to start (if this book is as good as the rest of the series). Hopefully it will list all of the requirements by breeding groups, mention breed clubs and how they have their own standards, risks to health, complications, etc.

Anyone who buys these books knows that they're a 'beginning point' and not an all encompassing encyclopedia. If it gives them the tools to ask more questions and possibly decide that it's more work and risk then they thought? Then I say this book is long over due.

If it changes one potential BYB's mind about breeding, or makes one BYB ask more questions and move towards responsible breeding? It's a good thing.

[spidey]

I think people are having issues with the title of the book. The "for Dummies" series is meant to be a good introduction to a variety of subjects written at a level which starts at the most basic level. There is a definite need for this sort of thing, since many books on many subjects presuppose a level of knowledge that many people don't possess, and a review of the basics is never a bad idea for anyone. The "Dummies" part of the title is meant to be a joke. Samantha and Trish said it.