23 May 2022

The youth have been implored to venture into dog breeding, as it is a lucrative business.

Boer Greyhound breeder, Mr Obakeng Thebe said this at a dog show held in Kgomokasitwa over the weekend.

He urged the youth to change their mindset and join the dog business to escape unemployment by taking advantage of available government empowerment programmes.

He noted that although most self-funded their ventures, dog breeding could be funded through available schemes, as it was a recognised business.  

“Dog breeding is a huge business, with lucrative returns; that one can conduct in the comfort of their home,” he said. 

Mr Thebe said dogs had become high value possessions, with diverse pedigrees of canines visible in many affluent locations. 

He said people kept dogs for different reasons such as security or companionship.

Mr Thebe was however quick to caution that it was critical for one to love dogs, for the business to thrive, as keeping them required passion, dedication and patience.

He said even security companies breed dogs, adding however that they opted for the German Shepherd breed for its noble character, loyalty, curiosity and high intellect, while the Boerboel and Rottweilers were kept for their large stature, obedience and territorial nature.

Mr Thebe also shared that others, especially women, opted for Chihuahuas and Poodles, which were fashionable, lively and alert. 

He said as relationships differed, people opted for different breeds for their varied skills sets and characters.

He noted that because of these relationships, great value had been created, with people willing to part with a lot of money to own the breed of their choice.

Mr Thebe shared that dog breeding had been his side hustle since 2010, having converted his backyard into a breeding space, adding that this had assisted him in many ways, and even capacitated him to marry.

He said he purchased his pedigree boer greyhound male in South Africa, which he named Vodacom. 

Mr Thebe said Vodacom was his pride and joy and had earned  him some handsome returns.

He said his breed of choice was Boer Greyhound, which was also called a ‘farmer’s friend’ and was also known for racing, though it was originally bred as a show dog.

He said it had all-rounder characteristics of being excellent with children, a family dog that could protect owners and their property, its fierceness when in the field doing predator control. 

He said they were also long distance runners with a deep chest and an arched back, high tuck and low hips, with strong well rounded muscled neck, which is a marvel to watch.

Mr Thebe said greyhounds were quick to sell as most farmers wanted them, adding that their high prey drive and obedience also made them wonderful companions, thus winning the hearts of farmers.

He noted that the best way to succeed in breeding dogs for profit, was to breed more often and elevate the quality of the bloodline, to make it possible to charge more per animal.

He however warned that this involved care for all the dogs, even those that were not breeding, highlighting the need for regular health checks of every single dog entering the kennel.

Mr Thebe also cautioned that dogs were high maintenance as they required constant vaccination against diseases such as rabies and parvo virus and to also be fed properly.

He shared that a keen breeder should always ensure they show their dogs, to confirm their hard work, adding that it was crucial for one to register their dogs and obey the breeding standards.

He said he was a member of Boer Greyhound on Facebook, where he is able to document his journey and also promote his breed.

Mr Thebe revealed that breeding was hard work, especially for people with jobs, saying the more litters, the more profits, as one puppy can be sold for P3 000.

He advised those put off by the expenses to rather opt for a male dog, which one could hire out to mate with others on  request, adding that a male dog could be hired to mate at P2500 by dog owners who owned females, because it was expensive to keep both.

 “Put in the time, money and effort to produce the best dogs possible,” he advised. Ends