To begin, you have to understand that breeding and dog training are more than just a job or a business for me. This has become a lifestyle; from being up every morning at 8am to release the pack, to adjusting my day to day schedule to meet the needs of these dogs. And I'll be honest, not every day is sunshine and bliss. I have days where I call a dog sitter and leave because I'm just so not up for the demands of the day and need a break. I'm sure we can all relate! But there is a deeper sense of responsibility training and breeding a pack of dogs to be ready to bring a new litter of pups into this world. Getting to where we are has not been easy and we have learned a lot of valuable lessons. But I would not be as confident as I am in what I produce, both in dog training and dog breeding if I had not hit rock bottom, broke the bank, cried in frustration, and traveled the world to find my pack. I am excited to share with you some of the lessons I have learned about dog breeding and what we have valued on our journey here. It's hard to sneak these secrets out of breeders, but someone needs to start talking about it! So here I am!
What You Are Getting Into When You Decide To Breed
1) Not An Income. Very first you need to understand if you are breeding to better the breed, being patient, taking your time, and being very thoughtful and considerate as a responsible breeder you will likely not pocket enough to call this an income. We don't breed humans for income, so don't think you can do the same for dogs if you are doing your part right. We started our breeding business with tens of thousands invested and have been lucky to break even every year. So don't plan to make this your sole income. I work two other jobs as a professional dog trainer and an LCSW therapist, and my husband works full time as well. We never planned on this being lucrative, which is why we chose careers we both still love. So don't give up your career aspirations in hope you will make a living off of these sweet animals. This is not to discourage anyone from breeding, this is just a misunderstood reality if you are planning to breed responsibly.
2) Your Lifestyle Will Change. Owning a breeding dog (s) is not a lifestyle for everyone. Males and females both present different challenges. In general owning a dog is a lifestyle change. Owning multiple is an even larger shift from your daily norm. There are many factors to consider before getting a pet dog, let alone a breeding dog. First plan on being in this for the long haul. The average life span of a Cavalier is around 10-14 years. The average lifespan of a dog in general is 11-12 years. So just know you have about a decade of commitment to this furry friend. If you are breeding however, you may be looking at decade's before you have wrapped up this season of your life. Owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility. As a dog trainer, I think one of our greatest responsibilities to these dogs is to help train them to become well socialized into our world. This ranges from practical socialization to obedience and manners, with so much more in-between. When that pup makes it to your home, you are now their handler. You help them learn the ropes of our human world! That is a 24/7 job. No lie! I don't think many people realize how much goes into owning and building up a confident, well mannered, calm dog. On top of just basic dog ownership from medical care, feeding, exercising, socializing, and training, with a breeding dog you now have an even greater responsibility to do right by the breed itself and the world of breeding as a whole. I will go in depth with this on my next point.
3) Doing Your Part. The AKC and CKCS club's in America offer valuable resources to breeder and buyers to help navigate how to identify a good breeder and buyer. There are so many things to consider, so I encourage you to look for my follow up blog post's just on this topic. I will also provide resources and references to help determine as a buyer if you are supporting the right kind of breeding practices, and guide you as a breeder in how to begin a breeding program ethically. Things to consider when being sure you do your part as a breeder are-
Health and genetic testing routinely- and able to explain this to a buyer clearly
Very well educated on the breed standard and health
Showing and training for confirmation and obedience/agility events
Written Contracts (spaying/neutering, showing/breeding, return policy, expectations etc...)
Full Transparency
Excellent rapport building effort between buyer and breeder
Doesn't always have puppies available
Easy and willing to keep in touch with buyer
Offers guidance for caring and training your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home.
Helps clearly explain transition and expectations into a new life with a puppy
Knowledgeable about the desired characteristics of the breed, such as size, proportion, coat, color, and temperament.
Keeps dogs in the home as part of the family, not outside in kennel runs.
When meeting the breeding dogs, they do not seem under-socialized or ill-mannered.
This is such a SHORT list of things that you would want to see or be in a good breeder. There are many more I will outline in following posts, but this is just a start to get your mind thinking about the different responsibilities a breeder has over just a standard dog owner. My part as a dog breeder is no light reality. I hear far too many stories of breeders who don't even meet three quarters of these expectations let alone the rest of the things I haven't yet mentioned. So long story short, both breeders AND buyers need to do their homework before taking a leap into the world of breeding and dog ownership.
Why I Decided to Breed
I bought my first dog several years ago. It was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. My favorite movie is Age of Adaline. In this show Adaline owns Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I knew when I watched this movie for the first time when I was 16 that I wanted one of those dogs. Finally when I was on my own and had the lifestyle and ability that would allow for a dog, I got my very first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I was in heaven! I shortly came to realize this sweet little puppy who came to me two weeks too early, from a breeder who knew nothing about the breed, had a host of medical issues. This pup may live to be only 5-6 years old, but it would be a painful life for them. When I told the breeder these concerns and the devastation I was facing they said they had never heard of the medical issues this puppy was facing and became very defensive. I never heard back from them again after that.
This was just the first of three different Cavaliers over the next 3 years that had some sort of medical issue that would prevent them from living a full and healthy life. ALL of these could have been prevented from ethical breeding practices and some effort on the breeders part to do their homework, take the loss by making the sacrifices needed to retire a breeding dog if they do not meet breeding standards and expectations, and be honest.
This lit a flame in a me to do everything in my power to do something to help this breed. Initially I never planned to breed. I just wanted a pet. I knew the risks, and I had a basic understanding of the responsibility. I was astounded that three different breeders in three different states gave me this same devastating, painful, and inexcusable experience. I knew something needed to change and no one loved this breed more than me, so that's how it all began. I have now spent the last several years devouring research, learning from mentors, and finding my current pack. I have met some wonderful breeders along the way that gave me hope in the future of ethical breeding practices. From everything that has happened since I bought my first Cavalier to now, I can say with full confidence that with a puppy from Bella Notte Cavaliers you will get a high quality, healthy, good tempered, well socialized, and beautiful Cavalier.
What To Do Next
1) Buyers. If you are interested in being a part of bettering this breed and bringing healthy and happy cavaliers into good homes with families that will love and cherish the journey it took to get them into this world, please contact me! I want more than anything to allow families who love Cavaliers as much as I do to welcome these wonderful pets into their lives with all the right resources to make it a successful, joyful, and bonding experience for both you and the dog. If you would like to learn more about my puppies, contracts, and resources to guide and prepare you on your puppy adoption journey, please refer to my "puppies page" for more information and a form to fill out if interested.
2) Breeders. If you are as interested as I am in bettering this breed and want to do your part in helping do right by them, please contact me. I expect a lot from my breeding families and do not take these placements lightly. I am always willing to help you in your journey to becoming a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeder. Please be aware though of the few things mentioned above. I will expect you to have this knowledge coming into it. There is always so much to learn and I am learning more every day too. I look forward to growing more and learning along side you as we do our part as breeders to be responsible, ethical, and honest in our practice.
As always, please feel free and be willing to ask any and all questions. I value transparency, passing along knowledge and wisdom, and helping you make the best decisions for you and your family as you consider a possible life with a dog.