Certified Breeder - Program Overview

Welcome to the world of the Dire Wolf Project™ and thank you for your interest in becoming a highly knowledgeable breeder of DireWolf Dogs™. From all of us here at the Dire Wolf Project™ headquarters, it is an honor to get to know you more throughout the next stage in your life and we hope that you can accomplish your dreams and work among the best and brightest breeders in the world. Being among the very few to officially use the highly coveted trademark names associated with the Dire Wolf Project™ is truly an honor that you can cherish for life. Although there will be great mental challenges and perhaps some physical obstacles to overcome, we hope you enjoy your time of learning and come to possess many deep and lasting friendships to fill your life with purpose and meaning. Hard work and fierce dedication will be the name of the game. The following is an overview of what you can expect. There’s no time like the present, so let’s get started.

Overall, there are six breeding levels to achieve. The first three levels are apprenticeship levels and the last three are certified levels. At the very least, if you remain focused and highly dedicated with continuous time to devote to your apprenticeship, we anticipate that you can achieve certified American Dirus™ breeder status in two years.

When you first begin at level 1, you will be considered a Student Apprentice. At the very earliest, a dedicated apprentice could successfully pass through this first level in 120 days. You will be required to purchase three books and have daily Internet access and interaction. This level is estimated to cost under $100 plus Internet services, which can be accessed at your local library for free. At that time, you will also be assigned a breeding mentor who will be with you for your entire journey through the first three levels. This person will be there to guide you as seamlessly through the steps as possible and individually help you learn what is most important for your unique situation. It is highly encouraged that you get to know one another as friends, but not to become too inseparable that your progress with learning from other Dire Wolf Project™ breeders is hindered. Everyone of us must work together in a highly compact society, so please remember to allow for friendships to grow with everyone. But we do understand that many long and lasting friendships are built between you and your breeding mentor because of the nature of the role he/she plays in your new life.

When you have completed all of the requirements for level 1 and there are no concerns that need to be reviewed by our DireWolf Dogs, Int'l board, your breeding mentor will pass you on to level 2. At this level you are considered an Intermediate Apprentice. You will be required to attend an on site internship which lasts at least four months, if you are dedicated and complete the requirements one after the other. All that is required is that you provide your own transportation to and from the breeding site; housing and a weekly stipend for food and necessities will be provided for you during your stay. You will also be required to purchase one book, which costs around $40. At the end of this level, you will be given the opportunity to raise a co-owned male stud dog from puppyhood to adulthood. This will take at least one year as you work to train and raise an intact male with the confidence it takes to breed well. You will be required to pay for all veterinarian costs associated with any testing that is required, which may be around $400 to $500.

As the last requirements are met from level 2 and again there are no major concerns that need to be reviewed with our DireWolf Dogs, Int'l board, your breeding mentor will pass you on to level 3. At this stage in your training you will be considered an Advanced Apprentice. You have much more of a role within the broader American Dirus™ community and will be awarded a co-ownership partnership with an intact female of breeding age. It will be your responsibility to birth the litter and raise the puppies, completing all of the litter requirements. As per the co-ownership agreement, the pick puppy goes back to the certified breeder with whom you co-own the female, but you will be awarded the sale of the rest of the litter. This is your opportunity to raise and train your first American Dirus™ dog litter with guidance and supervision from your breeding mentor. If there are no concerns that need to be addressed with the DireWolf Dogs, Int'l board, your breeding mentor will then approve you for certified breeder status. Pending a final exam, you will finally be able to achieve a full certified American Dirus™ breeder title and be ranked among the very best dog breeders of our time. The money required for this last level will be any amount needed for the birthing and housing of one litter of puppies, including feeding the female before, during, and after whelping her litter as well as entirely caring for the needs of the litter. This level can cost $1000 or more depending on if any vet costs are needed.

Once you become a certified Dire Wolf Project™ breeder, you fully enter into our world and have the opportunity to begin your new career breeding these magnificent dogs. You will have the incredible task of helping to keep this breed healthy, its temperament as loving and smart as it is today, and on the path to getting ever closer to the exact replication of the dire wolf bone and body structure that we seek to attain. It will be up to you and those who come after you to look after these dogs and take care of what God has generously given you. Welcome to your first steps. It is our pleasure to help you achieve your dreams and we look forward to working closely with you over the next few years and beyond.