What is the MOST important aspect of breeding???

[Steph]

This topic was spurned by an issue on another list. For those of you who are breeding, what is the MOST important aspect for you?? e.g. lineage, health care, money available, care, etc...

[lil22]

I think it's tuff to pick one thing that's most important...it's truely a mix of everything...well, I guess the health of your breeding hogs is absolutely important...but before you attempt any breeding, you have to be prepared for the worts case scenario...and you have to know what the worst case scenario may be. You also need to have the money needed for expensive vet visits, supplies, etc...You also need a good vet lined up in case of said emergency...it's all important...

[bloane]

My answer to this is Yes. ;) Well, not so much to the money available part, because I don't know of ANY time that I have had more money available through the hedgehogs than I had 40 places to put. Lineage is important to me, as is health, temperament, and everything else. A hedgehog who has one of the three but not the others isn't likely to spend much time in my breeding crew. Care is also obviously important, if I wasn't able to take good care of all of the animals I have, then I wouldn't have near as many of them. I also love to watch the babies grow and develop their own individual personality and appearances, and watching people's eyes light up when they meet the hedgehog that will be going home with them.
Becca

[Kalandra]

I've thought about this a few times and have wondered how many breeders actually look at longevity. Cancer seems to be one of the top reasons why our hedgehogs die at 3-5 years... or so it seems from watching web forums and the email lists. How many breeders look at how many times cancer has popped up, the age of those that have passed on in their lineage?