Ok, so as most of you are aware..... I am writing book on breeding. I haven't come up with a name yet, but thats not the point. What I want to know is:


The book is going to run along side my website and will also run along side the program I am setting up with a few vets in the area..... It will also give me something to do when up puppy sitting and eventually back in hospital. I have done a few chapters so far.... but its mainly a bit novelly describing my background and how I got here today etc, then "choosing a prospective brood" etc

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SOMETIMES YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR IS MERELY AN IDIOT WRAPPED IN TINFOIL

I just did ever such a nice big reply and a kitten deleted it all. I demand a chapter on kittens and computers

Em
xx

Dont know if your planning to put it in any way. But I think a section on basic genetics, researching pedigrees, inbreeding co-efficients, understanding and interpreting health tests and DNA tests etc. would be good.

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I never seem to see a couple things in all of those breeding books out there..

Firstly, there's not much on managing a stud dog. How to help guide the dog if he's not able to do it himself, learning to do internals to check a bitch prior to mating etc etc All of the nitty gritty stuff that you really only could find out from a proper mentor, which some people may not have easy access to (maybe a small section on finding a breed club or mentor?)

Secondly, all of those fatal or damaging errors and judgement calls that new breeders (and their vets etc) make from every stage of the breeding process, you rarely see some of these things mentioned and in the case of certain scenarios; what is the best course of action for the specific situation? (some examples...)

1. Finding a decent vet/health test resources/repro/sheep scanner etc (maybe a for the good scanners and repro specialists on your website that you could reference at the end of the book?)
2. Genetic mistakes when choosing the right match for your dog (defects, line/in breeding/coefficients etc).
3. Issues that crop up from th physical mating process such as internal trauma etc.
4. Problems during pregnancy - Things like stress induced abortion, supplemented calcium etc.
5. Whelping - Puppies stuck in birth canal/not getting medical intervention in time because the first litter was free-whelped etc.
6. Raising pups - exposing puppies to disease/vaccination issues, not getting enough socialization etc.
7. Finding/sending pups to their new homes - what happens if a puppy owner contacts you after a year to say that the pup has developed some devastating genetic disease, what if they can no longer cope with the pup etc? What if you made a terrible mistake with choosing a particular home?

I really like how thorough you aim for your website to be, especially when it comes to information that isn't frequently made easily available online or in books etc. A lady I know lost 6 pups and her bitch in the last week because of a vital error in judgement by her and her vet and if she'd had access to your website, maybe she would have been able to stop the vet from administering both oxytocin and calcium and instead of sending her and the bitch back home (a hour's drive each way) when the bitch had a pup stuck in the birth canal, she could have demanded the c-section right then and there.

All breeders should really know this sort of stuff, and I do believe there was fault on both sides with this particular case, but a lot of people really trust their vets all too readily without any thought. Maybe also another reference or resource page for information regarding reporting a vet's negligence or mal-practice?

Just outlining a few of these common errors and mistakes, sort of like a frequently asked questions section might be an excellent addition. I'm sure you've thought of a lot of this already!!

"Knowledge is a gift that can't be given back."

Can't wait to see the final result!

I would love a breeding book with more information on health tests and premate options.

I find the books I have read dont give out enough of that information imo.

Also the cost a general litter would cost so that potential breeders have chance to start saving up.

A list of whelping kit items would be fantastic.

I cant wait for this book....

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write that. I can't believe what I've just read regarding the bitch and pups

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SOMETIMES YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR IS MERELY AN IDIOT WRAPPED IN TINFOIL

when lady was whelping I didn't know things like to look at the sack with a torch to see puppy or water, you told me this, it wasn't said in any books, also when a pup is still born, what to look for, when lady's first pup was still born I didn't have any others to compare to. was it normal for it not to be moving??!! also I didn't realise just how messy it would be, I wasn't prepared for the amount of towels and newspapers I was actually going to need. if I think of anything else I will add later. I cant wait for this book. its def on my wish list. good luck. xx

PS, midwoof would be good name as its how your referred to on here.

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RIP Ben & Jerry

Any time! I know just how useful and even life-saving your site has been so far, anything to do with your book and the vet's program etc, I am more than happy to help.

It really was terrible to read about it too, especially because she was all alone and the vet was the only person, I think she felt her only option was to trust the vet.

Life as A Midwoof: The Practicalities of Breeding a Litter


How's that sound

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SOMETIMES YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR IS MERELY AN IDIOT WRAPPED IN TINFOIL

Sounds fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

When will it be ready