Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've seen a lot of people define themselves as breeders. I'm just curious what the mass opinion is on this subject. What in your opinion constitutes a true breeder?

Frank

Of course, if someone has kids isn't it obvious they are breeders?
Seriously though I don't label anyone a breeder unless they produce reptiles as a portion of their income and can do it year in and year out. Otherwise I consider them to be a hobbyist.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

I'd say what make's a breeder is:

1. The willingness to sacrifice a lot of time & commitment!

2. The passion it takes to care for these beautiful creatures we all love so much.

3. Being able to put up with the significant other's sarcasm about your so called hobby. (does'nt apply to everyone). Also the sarcasm & critisism we get from our friends & loving family members!

4. Having the abbilty it takes to gain and retain what you learn (from your mistake..ect.,ect..)along the way!

5. Having a good vet?

6. A good job to support your (habbit) oh I mean HOBBY!

7. Cleaning lots & lots of cleaning, cages and water bowls!!

8. Being respectful though hard at times(thanks Jeremy!!) and responsable, very, very responsable!!

This is just a few and I'm sure there's many, many more contributing factors to a successful breeder or the make up of a breeder!

Hope this helps,

Chaz Neely

I writeoff a third of the square footage of my house on taxes! But, I think a breeder is anyone that is activly working with any species in an effort to reproduce it. I know people with just as few as 15 animals that I consider breeders. I breed all kinds of stuff blood pythons, rats, dobermans. I have personally only purchased 3 animals out of almost 200 from a so called well known breeder! I like to deal with guys that have smaller collections, they usually have a whole lot less attitude! Someone has to keep us small time breeders going!

Al Brown/Brown's Boas

Thanks for the answers. I like the answers and agree a breeder is someone who earns a substantial portion of their income from "producing" whatever. Additionally, I think a breeder breeds for an intended purpose. For exmaple, I purchased the boa constrictor DVD from VPI. It's awesome and I see Rich Ihle as a definite breeder because he breeds to better the salmon boa. Sorta along the lines of well intentioned dog breeders.

I have to say that my garage has all the fancy cages like Freedom Breeders,Neodesha,Boaphiles and Barrs but I don't consider myself a breeder. Mostly I keep boas because they are my hobby and passion. I have produced boas in the past and this year as well but nothing consistent enough to make any type of living. As a matter of fact I spent WAY more then I ever made in this hobby.

Hope everyone has a great 4th.
Thanks,Frank

real nice set up, i just got into the game and only have 3 snakes, but i have a feeling as i get older and start making larger paychecks that WILL be atleast one room in my house, i wish they had basements in florida or eles that is what mine woulbe like. what are you elctric bills like if you dont mind me asking and how the hell do you write it off on your taxes? would it be like a small buissnes?

My power bills range from about $175 to $250 per month! I have gas heat so that is about an added $50-$150 in the winter months depending on how exteme things get outside. Fortunately we are having a rather mild summer this year so prices power wise have been better than they were last year when we had a record eight weeks of 100 degree temps! I had a record bill last year of about $330! I'm sure that doesn't sound bad to some!

Al Brown/Brown's Boas

Nice basement Al.

Marcus Williams