A question for the breeders

[lizard_of_oz]

How is it determined to place bearded dragons in pet quality, breeder quality, hold back quality, and I have seen some with collector quality categories?  I have seen some pet quality that look really nice, and some hold backs that don't look any better than some of the pet quality I've seen.  What am I missing?

[Thewolfmantom]

Honestly there is no system. Its in the eye of the beholder. Say I have a bright orange monster I may hold it back for possible breeding in the future. Sometimes a holdback may simpley have the clear nails of a hypo but look as plain as day. Geneticly speaking that could be a holdback.
Hope that answers somewhat

[lizard_of_oz]

Hmmm..so a breeder quality would be one with good color, markings, etc., and a hold back would be an animal with desirable yet uncommon traits that the breeder would hold an animal for his/her own breeding stock?

[Thewolfmantom]

6 of one, half a dozen to another, but yep thats it

[lizard_of_oz]

Ah okay  .  Thanks Tom!

[citrusdragon]

I tend to believe that everybody thinks their breeders are beautiful, and that being said, they take a look at the offspring and determine the category based on siblings.  The better looking your breeders are the higher your standards will be.  I would consider less than 5% of babies from top quality breeders, "collector" quality, and that is probably very high. 

Holdback, breeder, and pet quality are purely subjective, whereas I would say "collector" quality would be obvious to see in any picture.  Holdbacks are generally females, but sometimes males, that are considered good breeding stock.  The breeder will let them go based on demand, size, and direction of breeding projects.  Breeder quality carries the genetics of the parents without the color saturation, and I consider pet quality dragons to be colored normals.

Some breeders are using pure marketing language to set their dragons apart when visually the distinction would be minor.

If you're looking for a collector quality dragon, you are very unlikely to get it for cheap, or by mistake.  I have found that if it looks to good to be true... it usually is.

Jeff

[attachment expired]

[Thewolfmantom]

Put better than I did Jeff

[lizard_of_oz]

Yes,I haven't found a collector's dragon for less than $700...not that I'm looking to buy one anytime soon  .  I was just curious because it seems difficult to tell pet quality from breeders quality and sometimes holdback quality.  I can't say that I've seen any impressive collectors dragons yet, just impressive prices. I am getting my female Tuesday.  Both my male and female have one parent that is super citrus and the other 50/50 citrus and leucistic (unrelated), with the female coming from a sire that weighs 924 grams (I guess this is a lot?).  They won't be ready to breed though for awhile . My male is 8 weeks old and my female is 11 weeks old.