10/29/2026
🐾❤️ BREEDER TALK — PART 6 ❤️🐾
WHAT PEOPLE THINK BREEDERS DO VS. WHAT OUR LIVES ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE
Let's talk about something that doesn't get discussed nearly enough.
The expectations placed on breeders.
I think sometimes people see the cute puppy pictures, videos, and happy families and assume we spend our days sitting around playing with puppies.
And don't get me wrong, I absolutely love spending time with my dogs!
But the reality of being a breeder, especially a full-time breeder, looks very different.
We're not just raising puppies.
We're caring for adult dogs, newborns, growing puppies, retired seniors, and sometimes babies who need around-the-clock attention.
We're cleaning, feeding, grooming, doing laundry, keeping records, scheduling veterinary appointments, researching pedigrees, monitoring pregnancies, answering messages, taking pictures, making videos, coordinating transportation, and helping families prepare for their new additions.
And that's just the dog-related part of our lives!
We also have families. Homes. Responsibilities. Personal struggles. And lives outside of breeding.
Yet somewhere along the way, there's this expectation that breeders should be available every minute of every day.
A message comes in, and sometimes people expect an immediate answer.
A request for pictures or videos comes in, and sometimes there's an expectation that we can stop whatever we're doing and make it happen.
Someone wants a phone call, a video visit, or an update, and they may not realize we're already juggling appointments, other families, or a nursery full of puppies.
And here's the thing.
You might be waiting on one breeder, but that breeder is taking care of many dogs, many puppies, and communicating with many families.
Every family deserves attention and honest communication.
But no single family can realistically have every minute of our day.
Sometimes we're tending to a sick puppy.
Sometimes we're assisting with a delivery.
Sometimes we're sitting on the floor encouraging a tiny baby to eat.
Sometimes we're caring for our seniors, who deserve just as much love and attention as the puppies everyone is excited to see.
And sometimes, believe it or not, we're trying to eat dinner, spend time with our families, or get a few hours of sleep!
❤️ AND THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO GET A LITTLE PERSONAL.
I've been raising Pomeranians for approximately 17 years.
I love what I do. I love my dogs, and I genuinely enjoy getting to know the families who welcome my babies into their homes.
But if there's one thing I've learned about myself, it's that I have a habit of putting everyone else first.
The dogs come first.
The puppies come first.
My family comes first.
The families waiting for updates come first.
And somewhere at the very bottom of that list?
Me.
I can't tell you how many times I've put off eating, resting, doing something I enjoy, or simply taking a moment for myself because something or someone else needed my attention.
And I know I'm not the only breeder who does this.
We're often so focused on making sure everyone else is taken care of that we forget we're allowed to need things, too.
But loving what we do doesn't mean we don't get tired.
Being passionate about our dogs doesn't mean we never feel overwhelmed.
And being dedicated to our puppy families doesn't mean we can be available 24 hours a day.
❤️ AND EVEN WHEN WE FINALLY SIT DOWN, ARE WE REALLY OFF THE CLOCK?
How many breeders sit down to watch a movie, eat dinner, read a book, or spend a little time with family, only to find themselves answering messages, checking on puppies, updating records, or planning tomorrow's responsibilities?
I know I do!
Sometimes I'm physically sitting down, but mentally I'm still working.
Did everyone eat enough?
Is that tiny puppy gaining weight?
Who needs pictures?
Which family am I waiting to hear from?
What appointments need scheduling?
Did I remember to order supplies?
And then there's the phone.
One more message.
One more question.
One more update.
Before you know it, the little bit of time you set aside for yourself is gone.
And here's something I've had to remind myself: just because I CAN answer a message at 10 o'clock at night doesn't mean I should be EXPECTED to.
Emergencies are one thing. Everyday questions, pictures, and updates are another.
I genuinely care about my puppy families, and I want them to feel supported.
But I also need time to simply be a person outside of Heart Rocks Poms.
To enjoy my music, read a book, watch a hockey game, or spend time with my own family without feeling guilty.
Because being dedicated to my dogs shouldn't require losing myself in the process.
And I think that's something many breeders need to hear, myself included.
❤️ THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING DEDICATED AND BEING AVAILABLE EVERY SECOND.
I believe in keeping families informed, answering questions, being honest, and providing support.
That will never change.
But I also believe we need to normalize giving breeders a little grace.
If we don't respond immediately, it doesn't mean we don't care.
If pictures take a little longer, it doesn't mean we've forgotten about you.
And if we need to schedule a call rather than dropping everything that moment, it doesn't mean your puppy isn't important.
It simply means we're human.
And here's something I wish more people understood.
The time we spend caring for our dogs is what allows us to raise the puppies you're so excited to bring home.
That work has to come first.
Because at the end of the day, I'd rather you wait a little longer for a picture than have a puppy wait for the care it needs.
GOOD BREEDERS DON'T STOP BEING PEOPLE WHEN THEY BECOME BREEDERS.
We have families who need us, responsibilities outside our programs, and our own physical and emotional well-being to consider.
And sometimes we need to remind ourselves that taking care of ourselves isn't taking something away from our dogs or our families.
It's part of being able to continue caring for them.
So to my fellow breeders who are running on too little sleep, answering messages between feedings, folding yet another mountain of laundry, and wondering when they last had a moment to themselves...
I SEE YOU.
And to the wonderful puppy families who understand that there's a whole lot of work happening behind every adorable picture...
THANK YOU. TRULY. ❤️
A little patience and kindness go a long way.
At the end of the day, I love what I do. I wouldn't have spent nearly two decades of my life doing it if I didn't.
But I'm learning something important.
I can love my dogs, love my puppy families, and still deserve a little time for myself.
And so can every other breeder out there.
🐾❤️ Heart Rocks Poms
Breeder Talk is about sharing experiences, opening conversations, and helping people understand the realities of responsible breeding. It's not about criticizing anyone. It's about building understanding on both sides.
Let's talk!
🐾 Fellow breeders, what's one thing you wish puppy families understood about your everyday life?
❤️ And when was the last time you took an entire day for yourself without feeling guilty about it?
🐾 Puppy families, what's something about raising puppies that surprised you?
