How to Mate and Breed Dogs

Purebred dogs are beautiful creatures, and breeding them correctly will help improve the breed's overall qualities and temperament as well as make many would-be puppy owners happy. While it is possible to sell the puppies you breed, preparing for and participating in breeding dogs can be an expensive endeavor, and the decision to breed puppies shouldn't be based on the desire to earn money alone. By taking steps to protect you and your dog, breeding can be a fulfilling experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Health records and certification of your dog
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bring your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup, and let your vet know that you plan to breed the dog. Get all vaccinations and certification records from your vet and from the certifying organization, most often the American Kennel Club (AKC).

    • 2

      Get to know your breed. According to the AKC, responsible breeders will spend time learning the traits and temperament of the breed before mating the animals. The AKC also suggests attending dog shows to see how the breed ought to look at its best.

    • 3

      Find a mate that compliments your dog. For example, if your dog has a mediocre coat, find a mate that has a gleaming one. Bring the dogs together for a pre-mating encounter, and make sure they get along. Don't mate your dog with an aggressive dog, male or female.

    • 4

      Sign breeder contracts with the owner of your dog's mate, and work out any uncertainties before mating the dogs.

    • 5

      Bring the dogs together to mate. Once initial thrusting is done, the dogs will remain together for 10-to-30 minutes. This is called a tie.

    • 6

      Monitor your dog (if you have the dam), and have her checked by your vet for signs of pregnancy. If natural reproduction methods fail, artificial insemination might be an option.

    • 7

      Allow the dam to care for her puppies on her own after they are born, but watch for any pup that might be malnourished. You might have to take over feeding if this is the case. Keep the welping area warm because newborn puppies cannot control their body temperature.

    • 8

      Register your pups with the certifying agency you plan to go through, commonly AKC, a few weeks after they are born.

    • 9

      Begin the process of selling your pedigree pups when they are 6-to-8-weeks old.