Call the K9 Midwives or Doggie Doulas

04/09/2023

16/08/2022

Defra has asked - with very short notice - for feedback on the impact the 2018 license had on small breeders of dogs.
Emails need to be sent before Monday August 22nd to [email protected]

The breeder team at Tailwise will send a letter - but the more people who email, the greater ithe chances smaller good breeders will be protected.

When you email Defra perhaps cc us in ([email protected]) andpost on this Facebook group so we can encourage as many people as possible to contact Defra. (https://www.facebook.com/tailwise)

So often decisions on this subject have primarily consulted the ‘adopt don’t shop’ lobby who may not be aware that really good small breeders exist as their pups rarely end up in rescue.

We think it’s time to stand up for good breeders and show how this way of rearing dogs means much fewer in rescue and fewer heartbroken families buying badly reared pup from the wrong person.

We at Tailwise have seen great breeders being discouraged by expensive red tape inconsistently applied across England.

People wanting to have a planned litter have been given conflicting advice as to whether or not they even need to be licensed.

Tailwise is concerned that the current license system is pro rata per pup unfairly expensive for those who breed very well on a small scale.

We are told by breeders the guidance is inconsistently applied.

Can we all ask Defra to please consider the ethical breeder by forming a think tank so licensing might improve dog welfare generally and protect the pet buying public by helping them identify breeders who do everything possible to breed happy, healthy pups that come with a lifetime of help and advice.

We would love to be able to take part in such a group and help amplify the voices of our 1,000 plus caring breeders.

Please, if you feel passionately about this, do tell Defra if the 2018 license has adversely affected small breeders and join in the discussion on our facebook group so we can all push to be heard.

Thank you so much
Sam Worthy and all the breeder team at
Tailwise.com

Emails need to be sent before Monday August 22nd to [email protected]

Please share

23/01/2022

I can't have visitors come see me in hospital but you can join me doing a Facebook Live on the new Breeder's license guidance notes. We've ...

10/03/2021

Thought for the day.

Some days you wake up and read a comment on social media and you want to go back to bed! You're full of enthusiasm tand then you remember not everyone yet gets what Tailwise is trying to do, why it's exciting.

Dog breeders aren't very easy to stereotype. For a start their passions are for very different breeds and their definition of a good breeder is just as varied.

I was once told the definition of a puppy farmer is 'anyone who breeds more pups than you do.'

There are hopefully basics that we can all agree on and I think the cut off for me is the question - is the dog family or product? That's the heart of everything.

So my heart sank when I read a negative comment. Tailwise is still a young pup, growing quickly so we will keep refining and getter better. So feedback helps even if it can hurt.

Until this comment yesterday, I hadn't noticed this seemingly innocent article from last year on the Tailwise website. If I had I may have been a bit sniffy journalistically as it's a bit bland, it's sort of generic and Tailwise is now much warmer, more friendly.

The comment said:

"Tailwise tells owners that pups must be fully vaccinated, wormed and deflead, so 12 to 16 weeks, before they can go out at all. Pups need to see the world before this, if they are to become well adjusted adults. Terrible advice by Tailwise."

But Tailwise doesn't force a one-size fits all mantra on anyone. How did we give this person that impression? Something we need to address.

But it does give a chance to talk about the feelings that probably linger behind the criticism.

We don't believe in a one size fits all blue print for the perfect breeder, it's so much more complicated than that. We totally understand that good breeders come in many forms - so definitely we'll not be interfering with their relationship with puppy owners - we screen breeders and pet parents and put like minded souls together. We're not here to get in the way - we're there to highlight the path to the best source, a safe space where pets are always family not product.

If you are for example someone who prioritises socialisation over waiting for vaccines to kick in - who has a regime based on strong ethical beliefs - we'll find you owners who share your vision who also have come to the same decision.

You tell us your red lines and your philosophy, we do the rest. Not every breeder is the same. Not every puppy buyer the same. We match you up.

You do your best, we do our best. Things get better.

07/03/2021

Have you heard of Tailwise yet? It's changing the way the general public find their next dog.

If you are a breeder who is doing your best to breed happy, healthy dogs that make great pets - we want to hear from you. We know you probably have a waiting list a mile long already, all the good guys have, but we want to show the public what they are missing by buying from bulk breeders who treat mums like breeding machines.

We want pets to be born from mums who know love, who are reared in an environment that makes it so much easier for them to fit into normal family life.

We want good small breeders to feel real pride in what they do.
Welcome and I hope you join in as together we could change the future and make breeding slavery just a terrible memory.

www.tailwise.com

We want to transform dog welfare in the UK – and beyond – so every puppy is born and bred in a safe place by breeders who put dog welfare at the heart of all they do.

07/03/2021

07/03/2021

We would love to hear from people who provide scanning, help finding the most fertile time, people who are happy to mentor other breeders re health testing and preparing for birth.

Recommendations for great reproduction vets, vet nurses that are experts in birth and puppy rearing. We just want this to be a great notice board for anyone offering a service that makes breedings safer for mum and pups and encourages excellence.

Any other relevant things - best whelping boxes.
Anyone doing courses for breeders to learn more about early puppy learning.

Really this is your space. We want to welcome you here.Tell us what you do and let us know who and what you recommend.

What things have you learned, which books do you recommend to others?

Tailwise wants to encourage breeders to feel proud of breeding happy, healthy dogs that are prepped for the life they will lead as a family member. We want breeders to help each other and make home bred litters the best they can be.

Resources should be easier for people to find - plus if anyone needs help and advice about licence applications, do say as I suspect there will be lots of experience in this group to help you navigate what is rather a clunky system.