breeding

Breeding

Breeding your dog is an important responsibility and should not be entered into without a great deal of thought and preparation. Responsible breeding is time-consuming and expensive and can potentially involve risks to your dog. However, when done responsibly, breeding your dog can be a very rewarding experience.

Shouldn’t I breed to perpetuate the qualities of my dog?

Your dog may be a wonderful companion and may display many excellent attributes of it's breed - so you may want to breed your dog to pass these qualities along to others. However, make sure that you step back and take a "detached" look at your dog. Are all of it’s qualities good? For instance, you may have a dog with a wonderful disposition but it may have health problems that could be passed to it’s offspring. Make sure you consider the entire dog in assessing it’s "breedability" and remember that you should try to improve the overall quality of the breed each time you consider mating your dog. Also, consider that there may already be breeders in your area who are breeding dogs who share your dog’s excellent qualities.

Isn’t breeding a good way to "recoup" the costs involved in raising a dog?

Many people mistakenly feel that they will be able to make money by breeding their dog. Dr. Fran Smith, a reproductive specialist and breeder recently observed that a person should not enter into breeding "unless they are willing to spend $1000 and risk the life of their bitch." A study by the American Kennel Club in 1987 revealed that the average person spent $1275 per litter. When done responsibly, breeding is an expensive proposition. Even in the best-case scenario, breeding involves financial commitment, and if there are any problems with the breeding, the pregnancy, the delivery, or the post-delivery health of the bitch or the puppies, health care costs can rise rapidly. Money should never be the motivating factor for dog breeding!

Shouldn’t my children experience the miracle of birth?

It is understandable that we may want to experience the miracle of birth or share that experience with our children. However, there are countless books and videos available that teach about birth in a responsible manner. Over 15 million animals are killed in animal shelters each year due to a lack of homes and allowing your pet to reproduce without being assured of homes is irresponsible. Remember - for every puppy that your pet produces, there is another puppy somewhere that will be deprived of a home.

What steps should I take to become a responsible breeder?

Learn about your dog. Study it’s breed standard. Attend dog events. Become involved with dog clubs. Read books and magazines, watch videos - learn everything you can about your dog’s breed so that you can understand and identify the traits that you wish to perpetuate in it’s breed. Contact the American Kennel Club (AKC) for information on your dog and the AKC registry programs.

Discuss health issues with your veterinarian. Make sure that your dog is healthy and is free of genetic disease which can be passed to it’s offspring. It is best if you know the familial history of your dog and it’s relatives so that you can be aware of any health concerns that may exist in it’s line. In addition, you should discuss the breeding process and the specifics of how to have the healthiest bitch and litter.

OK, I’ve decided not to breed my dog... should I have it spayed or neutered?

Yes! See the Spay/Neuter Page.

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