This is an interesting and helpful video on pruning fig trees for an inexperienced grower as myself...
Although I live in a warmer climate than this gardener, most of his video is still very useful. I really like the tips he gives on forming the basic structure of the tree, and then in keeping it smaller to make harvesting the figs easier. Maybe it will also be of help to some others here:

Another video~ this time winter pruning a potted fig, making it look pretty easy. Very nicely shaped fig tree:

That might mislead folks living in warmer climates where you can get at least two crops annually

I thought you needed the fig wasp to get the main crop on desert king?

Well, I did like his description of how to prune/train the fig tree from the beginning. But are you saying that the second year branches shouldn't be removed in a warmer climate because of the possibility of two crops?
I appreciate the input, because not only am I brand new at growing figs, I've never pruned one in my life! And frankly, the thought is a little unnerving, because I wouldn't want to make mistakes, especially early in the tree's life. And I would also want any pruning to increase productivity, as well as creating an attractive tree.

And off topic, but this photo of a fig tree in Spain is amazing...

Desert King will give you a Breba crop on last years wood but needs the wasp for main crop on new growth.

Okay, I hope that won't be a problem. How large would a good breba crop be on a healthy DK? And, concerning the wasp, where is it found? Is it common, and/or how to attract it?

Hi Ljfiggy,
in post #8, this is not a carica. It looks like a camelia grandiflora or something like that.

in post #6, ... You need to read more on the forum ... LOL. DK is known for being a San Pedro type. In our cold Zones, you get the brebas and the main crop will drop except some years for some  4 or 5 figs.
But, DK is known to be (extra) generous on the breba crop, and that is what makes it attractive .
Believe me or not, DK is not readily sold here in eastern France.

As for pruning, there is not golden rule, but goals you want to achieve.
I don't want my trees to grow too much over 7'/2 meters. So I chop everything past that height at the end of the season.
I'll loose those possible figs next year, but I don't wanna use a ladder ...
My take on the pruning topic is: Wait for the tree to be big enough (5/7 years in ground) and then remove some branches to keep them evenly distributed and that they don't shade each other too much. Keep the 7'/2 meters limit at the end of the season - harvest the maincrop before chopping.
Bare in mind that whatever the crop, more fruits (like in toooooo many ) would spell less quality and smaller fruits.
So you need to keep the number of figs under control ...
One more point: I don't (and you shouldn't want to ) leave extra fruits (rotting on the trees) to the birds ( add whatever you want to the list like: squirrels, bears, possums, two footed smart thieves ... ). I don't any of them to settle in my garden !

Hi jdsfrance.....hey, don't laugh! :) I'm such a newcomer, that I have never tasted a fig in my life, unless you count fig newtons. And never even saw a fig tree until a few months ago, when my tissue culture baby trees arrived from the Ebay nursery. For me, growing figs will be more than a hobby, it is a desire for healthy food and the necessity of growing it myself. So I actually do spend hours reading this forum and other sources too, in order to learn what I can about growing figs. It feels like I've been taking a crash course in this!

Thank you so much for your tips on pruning....I'm going to copy your suggestions and add them to my notes so that when the time comes, i'll have the information on hand.  This is helpful for me, because i'm also trying to learn how to prune my goji bushes and mulberry trees properly, and each is very different.

I'm glad DK is generous with the breba crops, that's good to know. I appreciate all the info...
thanks, LJ