Build a dog breeding business you love
I’m Julie Swan
Dog Breeder & Business Strategist
Have you been interested in getting into dog breeding, but aren’t sure where to start? Maybe you’re not sure if dog breeding is ethical or if you can make money and do it ethically. Maybe you have been breeding a while and things just don’t seem to be working smoothly…there has to be a better way!
You can breed dogs honestly, with integrity, and make money. Breeding needs to work with your family. It should be the bringer of good things.
I’m all about helping dog breeders make their dog breeding business into their ideal business. A business that brings in income, allows them to breed fulltime (if that’s your goal, which it definitely can be!), to be home with the family (I homeschool my kids!), and to help you create amazing dogs and then place them in wonderful families who will cherish them.
I’m here now…but it didn’t start out that way…quite the opposite! š¬
Just Getting Started
Maybe you just got your first itch to start breeding. Maybe you can’t figure out your breed. Maybe you know you want to breed, but aren’t sure where to start. I’ve got you. Download the Roadmap to a Successful Breeding Program. It’ll give you the order of things to tackle when designing and building your breeding program.Ā
I’m Breeding, but it’s Chaos
Breeding is a very dynamic business. As a business owner you’re wearing a lot of hats. There are so many skills to learn and apply: you have to be a whelper, janitor, customer service, dabble in biology, website designer, and social media marketer. It’s a lot. Take the quiz to see what pillar of your breeding business needs the most attention.
It’s good. I want to be better.
You’ve been doing this a while. You like what you’re producing. You’re selling dogs. You’re making money. Yet, you know it could be better. It’s still doesn’t have the flow you know it could, or, at least, wish it would. While you’re not in a bad place, you want to make it better, you just aren’t sure how. I can help.
Okay…I get it. Breeding is super…uh…dynamic? Feeling overwhelmed with where to start? I got you. I put together a series of podcasts that discuss the breeding business, everything from profitability, to the skills you need, the work involved, and what the life of a dog breeder looks like.
Did you know there’s a Free Membership for the Dog Breeder Society?
It gives you access to all the podcast cheatsheets, free resources, and a few bonuses!
Sign Up for the Free Membership and get access right away! Once you click to it, it’ll ask you to login or sign up. Just click create account…on mobile sometimes you need to click the little human at the top right and click “create account.”
What Does it Mean to Be an Honest Dog Breeder?
Honest dog breeding means doing things with integrity. The integrity isn’t just about not cutting corners. It’s about what to do when there’s conflicting interests:
-
- What do you do when dog breeding is taking time away from your family, but you need the income?
- What do you do when you have a puppy that was born with a defect?
- What do you do when your buyers are struggling?
- What does it mean when you get a returned dog?
- Should I take profit or reinvest?
Of course we shouldn’t cut corners, but very few things in dog breeding are black and white. I want to give you the understanding, the skills, and the tools to manage these difficult situations that invariably come up in dog breeding. When we have a plan in place, are able to reflect, and make changes, we can create an honest breeding program.
Dogs & Puppies Are Taken Care of.
Honest breeders look to be smart about their adult dog and puppy management. They design their facilities for health. They make relationships with veterinarians and work to understand preventative care. They focus on the health of their dogs to ensure the best opportunity for a high quality of life.
Buyers & Owners are taken care of.
As an honest breeder, your best source of information on your dogs is your buyers. Your buyers are the key to success: when they’re happy, you’re successful. Honest breeders listen to their buyers, especially their struggles, so they can make changes to their programs to better set their buyers up for success.
You, The Breeder, is taken care of.
As a breeder, the care of your dogs, puppies, and buyers rests on you, which means you can’t skimp on taking care of you; you can’t neglect your best interests. You dog breeding program should bring you money, be a rewarding experience, and should provide the lifestyle you desire for yourself and your family.
Schedule a Free Strategy Session
It can be hard to find someone to talk to who knows what you’re going through and can give you real feedback. Someone who can understands why you need to keep that stud, even though you already have what feels like too many dogs. I know that idea where you could do this, if that happened, but that can’t happen until this happens. I’ve been there. I’ve been in that place where I felt like I had no one I could run ideas by, it’s frustrating. I’m here to help! Please feel free to schedule a FREE 30-min. Strategy Session and I’ll help you as best as I can!
Recent Episodes on the Podcast
#105 – How Does A Blog Fit Into Your Dog Breeding Business Marketing Plan?
As you may know, I work with a lot of breeders on their marketing and web design. A conversation Iām constantly having with them is how to write a blog and where to put it. I often hear them note: āI know I need to be blogging,ā but thatās about it; thereās rarely a...
#104 – 4 Dog Breeding Marketing Problems and Their Solutions
Marketing in dog breeding is an evolving world. Itās been fun. Iām enjoying the journey, the ups and the downs. Today I want to share with you four common problems in marketing and the root cause behind them, and, naturally, Iāll give you some solutions. I dive into...
#103 – 5 Things I Wish I Did Sooner In My Dog Breeding Program
You ever look back at your life and think ā¦ gosh I wish I did that sooner? I am always reflecting, analyzing, and trying to assess my best moves. What will make the most impact for me right now? What will help me move forward? What will help me have more of the life...
The queen of helping us all do it honestly.
“Julie Swan is amazing, down-to-earth, respectful, reasonable, informative, all of it! I have been able to grow as a breeder and business owner far beyond what I imagine with her insight and this podcast. I recommend it to every breeder/dog owner I talk to. It’s knowledge for all! Thanks, Julie for the time and dedication.”
Ladylla
podcast listener
Best Info I’ve Found on Dog Breeding
“I love this podcast.It’s hard to find information that makes sense when it comes to breeding dogs. This isn’t just about the care, facilities, and the mechanics that go into it, which obviously is very important and she doesn’t leave that out! But, Julie focuses a lot on the buyer. I love that…to me, after health and happiness of my dogs and pups, the buyer is the most important part of all of this. Finding the right buyers for your breed’s traits and the individual puppy’s personality. Thank you!!!”
Dairy Free Fit Chick
Podcast Listener
Help for Dog Breeders!
I just discovered this podcast yesterday and I’m already on episode 9! It is so helpful, informative, and encouraging. A must-listen for new dog breeders!