the raw pet food thing is definitely big in the states, definitely bigger then raw vegan or raw paleo for humans. have you done research to see if there is interest or a market tyler?
Definitely this. I read of many Americans feeding their dogs raw admitting whole-heartedly they feed their dogs better than themselves.
Admittedly no.
Thanks for the massive info Dr D! That's the sort of detailed info I was looking for. Not sure if I could get the initial startup money needed for a year or two yet, but it's certainly an idea. Checking online, my local area does seem to grasp things like the BARF diet a bit, so some pet-owners here might well value such raw-fed pets a lot.
Also, check your area for how often and big trials are. The various types are schutzhund (I'm positive Germany is REALLY big on it and would value well-bred dogs, GSD, Doberman, and Rottweiler are the most common but Belgian Melanois are getting really big too), Agility, herding, tracking, and of course, conformation showing.
Any more details of other startup ideas of the calibre of DR D? Thanks, I just love this forum.
My mom is a florist in an area that doesn't have one for 90 miles in either direction. We do a lot of driving but she gets a lot of business. Not saying you have to be a florist, but just look for something that people like but isn't available in your area.
Probably a way to start dog stuff if you don't have a lot of money to invest into breeding dogs, is to read books on breeding/conformation/temperament of the breed youre most interested in. That should help build some working knowledge and passion for it, without much time/money invested. Also, find the circles of dog lovers, go to trials, talk with people and see who their breeders are, see if anybody feels like they are lacking in quality breeding in the area, perhaps even make friends with the breeder and say you want to get into it. The dog I linked is co-owned by three kennels. That dog is seriously one of the best GSDs I've seen in my life and the breeders knew it so they compiled their money and breed him to whatever females they think would be best bred to out of each ones respective kennels. That's a good way to invest; say you would like to co-own a stud with someone and will put the money and work down. That would be part-time of course but that's the joy of co-ownership, smaller investment, smaller return, but your foot is in the door.
I don't know what passions you have but think of whatever hobbies you like to do and find a way to make money, regardless of what people say. As a musician, I don't have to only gig live shows, I can teach privately, record, buy/sell instruments, there is digital music that's getting big, etc. It really comes down to what you love the most, and being creative. Talk to everyone around you about it 24/7 until they see you and say "oh here he comes, he's gonna talk about x." But that will get it out there and you can get responses.
In the meantime, I do have this raw food e-book to do, but I realise that it will take a long time before I will be really satisfied with it. I don't want just another New-Agey diet book with simple illustrations and simple words, I want to present a book with lots of scientific references/data so that people can be convinced to go raw on a logical, common-sense basis.
In terms of your book, I've seen a lot of your posts and you're very good at including science and those type of "diet" or "nutrition" books have held the most weight for me, as opposed to ones based on theory. I found more help from Body by Science than Why we get fat, although both were awesome, but body by science had so much complete observation and ruling out alternatives.
Sure, but buying a decent dog is the problem, at this stage. Maybe later I will be able to afford it.
I would definitely try to co-own with one or more established breeders, which would allow you to build a kennel of bitches. Then after enough litters, buy your own stud and re-breed all your bitches. Then grow from there.