Taking a Break from Breeding: How We Made the Call and What’s Next

Deciding to take a pause from breeding is a significant decision, it goes beyond just stopping operations temporarily; it involves evaluating goals, health, and the overall vision for the future.

Our first litter, Teddy, Athena, Luna, and Odyssey

Understanding Our Reasons

Taking a break was not a hasty choice; it was the result of a buildup of factors. Over the past few years we accumulated a lot of debt, we dedicated ourselves to ethical breeding, which was rewarding but also came with its financial challenges.

One major factor was the exhaustion that grew over time. The cycle of running a business,

training dogs, and making dog food was exhausting. We love every branch of what we do because we of our love we put into it. But was another at least ten thousand dollars we needed to invest into the litter.

Delaying our litter would also mean more phantom pregnancies for Athena. Athena would have one before each heat cycle and it was quite concerning since it increased her chances of getting endometriosis. Endometriosis or is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, and, if left untreated, can lead to severe chronic pain, organ damage, or infertility. Or even worse Pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection in unspayed female dogs, typically occurring after a heat cycle due to hormonal changes that create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in the uterus.

Reassessing Our Goals

With our decision made, this break would help us take the oppertunity to educate ourselves with successful breeding practices in our field. By connecting with other breeders and attending workshops, our goals are to broadened our perspectives. And to further explore what we want to pass on to the next generation and how can we maximize the health and well-being of our animals.

New Horizons in Breeding

As we take this intentional break from breeding, we are reminded of the importance of self-care, education, and community engagement. This pause is about creating a sustainable approach that enhances our practices and benefits the animals.

We invite readers to accompany us on this journey of reflection and growth. Wherever you are in your breeding journey, remember that it’s perfectly fine to pause, reassess, and return with greater strength. Here’s to a future that is more thoughtful and sustainable in breeding!