If you look up the Breeder of Merit program on the AKC website, it is defined as a way "to give breeders a way to prove their dedication to preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. We consider them the most conscientious and most committed breeders."
I want to be a breeder of merit. I want that title. I feel like it is the next step for me. To some, this may not be a huge deal, or they were able to achieve it quickly because they have more than one little every couple of years. They are working on their bronze, silver, gold, or platinum levels now.
There are some fringe benefits of being an AKC breeder of merit, discounts and such, but I want the title. I want people to take me seriously, and to see that I am in it for the long haul. That this is my life passion. If you know me personally you know that, but I have nothing on my "dog resume" to tell the outside world. So here we go, the way to manifest a plan, is to write it down first.
To be accepted in the Breeder of Merit Program you need:
Involved with the AKC for 5 years ✔
Valenwood is for James and I. I have been showing dogs since 2004, but James hasn't started owning whippets with me until 2017. Even with that, he and I together have been showing whippets, as well as some other sports, for 5 years. Yay! We have that one done!
Have bred 4 dogs with AKC conformation, performance, or companion titles
Again, I have bred a few champions with Glynchelyn, but I want the breeder of merit status to be with James and I. We only breed with the plan of keeping something for ourselves. The puppies we keep, we will show, and finish. It may take 4 litters or maybe our first will be amazing and we will get all 4 there. The timeline of this one really can't be set. It is all going to depend on how many litters we have and how many active show homes will get in the future. Lately, I have been thinking more and more that I don't want anyone showing a puppy from my kennel but me. I am not sure I can keep up with people's expectations with what I produced.
Be a member of an AKC club ✔
James and I are members of the Muncie Kennel Club, he is actually the treasurer. I am a member of the American Whippet Club as well. We got this one.
Prove that you health test according to your parent club (American Whippet Club)
Pre-breeding health screenings for whippets according to the AWC are: BAER Testing (for hearing) once, OFA Eye Exam within one year of breeding, and OFA Heart Exam within two years of breeding. I have done this for my next planned litter with Petra. I will be sending the papers to OFA this week. The stud dog I am selecting will be up to date when I breed to him. With my next litter I will get everyone BAER tested at 8 weeks, and make this a habit. Might as well get out of the way first thing. My kennel club puts on an eye clinic, so that will be a yearly habit of mine as well. Finally, I found a cardiologist in Fort Wayne that I can book echocardiograms out a couple months in advance.
I'm not going to put a check mark next to this one because it is going to be a working progress, but once I get those 4 titled puppies, then I can check it off because I WILL health test. We need it for the longevity of the breed.
Register 100% of puppies produced ✔
I have raised a couple litters for other people now, and I find it easiest to register the puppies for the new owners. As a part of the pet contract, I have them fill out their papers too. This is good for their microchip registration too. Now that I have the habit, I am going to check this one.
So there is my plan, of course wrenches get thrown into my plan all the time, but I have a goal. I will be among the ranks of Breeders of Merit in the whippet breed. And our next litter will be the start of that journey.
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