Re:Personal stories about breeding-split

[jagu]

BTW I'm wondering just what distinguishes pedigreed rats from like more "common" (or whatever they're referred to as) rats.  Is it kind of like w/having pedigreed dogs, cats, horses, cattle, etc. w/the papers and such that indicate that the animal is a pedigree, or is it different w/rats?  Please don't think that I'm trying to be ignorant though as I jsut want to know is all.    :huh:

[jagu]

I'm also wondering if there's like any major differences between "common" & lab rats?

[Anna]

Pedigreed rats have many generations of known family with no history of disease or tumors, long lifespans and good temperments. There's NO way to judge on the first 4-8 months of a rat's life if they are the kind of animal that should reproduce.  That sort of information can only come from generations of observation.
This is why pet shop animals and especially rescue animal should never never be bred. Rats that someone is giving away are likely from a pet shop breeding. Unless you get them from a truely respectable breeder, there's no reason for them to reproduce, not with thousand of animals without homes already.

For an example of a good breeder and a good pedigree try here
http://www.lonestarrats.com/Individual/Midnight.htm

For an idea of how many animals already need homes, take a peek at the Menlo Park rescue
http://www.jotenheim.com/ratrescue.html
be sure to check all the links

[kmw]

I have split these messages from the original thread so as to not completely hijack the intent of the thread.  

[Noe]

Pedigreed rats have many generations of known family with no history of disease or tumors, long lifespans and good temperments. There's NO way to judge on the first 4-8 months of a rat's life if they are the kind of animal that should reproduce.  That sort of information can only come from generations of observation.
This is why pet shop animals and especially rescue animal should never never be bred. Rats that someone is giving away are likely from a pet shop breeding. Unless you get them from a truely respectable breeder, there's no reason for them to reproduce, not with thousand of animals without homes already.

It should be noted that occasionally pet store rats are bred by respected breeders, to infuse the lines with new blood and prevent detrimental inbreeding. But such things should never be undertaken lightly, and a good breeder will observe the health of such offspring for some time. If there seems to be a genetic defect of any kind, the breeder won't sell those rats for breeding purposes, which would be irresponsible.

And even if you do use pedigreed breeder rats, consider carefully why you want to breed. Most breeders do so for the purpose of improving the health and temperment of pet rats as a whole, and to fill a need in their area for such animals. If there are good breeders near you already, the area probably doesn't need any more.

[RavenJander]

By the way for $20.00 you can get a pedigree on a rat of unknown background. So even breeding pedigreed rats may still be the 2 pets store rats bought 2 months ago, just with papers.

[OldsGal]

It should be noted that occasionally pet store rats are bred by respected breeders, to infuse the lines with new blood and prevent detrimental inbreeding. But such things should never be undertaken lightly, and a good breeder will observe the health of such offspring for some time. If there seems to be a genetic defect of any kind, the breeder won't sell those rats for breeding purposes, which would be irresponsible.

I am not so sure that this statement is accurate.  It has always been my understanding that if a reputable breeder wants to bring in a new line then they will work with another reputable breeder that they know and trust and have worked with for a long time and get their new blood from that other reputable breeder.  I do not know one single reputable breeder that would ever think to reuin all of their hard work and lineagle by bringing in a pet store rat with no lineage.  The reputable breeders on this site can step in and correct me if I am wrong.

Staci

[scout]

Wow, where did this post get dragged out from? It's almost 4 years old!