How to Breed Collies

When you think of collies, you probably think of one of the most recognizable dogs in American culture --- Lassie. Collies can have different fur coats and come in different colors. Collies often make excellent family dogs and love children. If you want to breed collies, make sure you research the breed to learn about acceptable standards through the American Kennel Club (AKC). You should also be aware of collies' temperament and possible health problems. Breeding collies can take a lot of hard work and isn't always profitable.

Things You'll Need

  • Whelping box
  • Iodine
  • Un-waxed dental floss
  • Scissors
  • Newspaper
  • Towels
  • Paper Towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Search for an acceptable stud. If you already have a female collie that you would like to breed, you can find studs through classified ads or through a local collie breeding group in your area. The stud should be healthy and have a good temperament. If you want to sell your collie puppies, make sure the stud is AKC registered.

    • 2

      Schedule a veterinarian appointment for your collie. Before breeding, you need to make sure that your collie is healthy and mature enough to breed. She should also have all of her shots updated a month before breeding. Tell your vet that you plan on breeding her so he can perform any additional tests. You may also want to have the stud checked by your veterinarian.

    • 3

      Wait for your collie to enter her estrus cycle. During her estrus cycle she will have a yellowish vaginal discharge. She will also raise her tail to the side when you touch her back. She is ready to mate during this time.

    • 4

      Introduce the stud to your collie. Allow them to mate. They may be joined together for a while after they complete the act and that is normal.

    • 5

      Watch for signs of pregnancy in your collie. You will notice an increase in appetite or weight. Your collie's nipples may also become enlarged. Your vet can confirm the pregnancy and let you know the litter size 28 days after your collie mates. Follow your vet's instructions for feeding guidelines and any other nutritional supplements he may recommend.

    • 6

      Construct or purchase a whelping box. You should have this box completed early in pregnancy to allow your collie to get used to it. Ideally, you want her to have her puppies in the whelping box and not in a closet or some other place that you do not have prepared. The whelping box should be big enough to allow your collie to lay on her side with room for puppies. The sides of the whelping box should be low so you can easily reach in if necessary. Line the whelping box with newspaper before delivery.

    • 7

      Arrange a whelping room. The room should be quiet, warm, and away from other animals. Get supplies ready for your collie's delivery. Keep clean towels, paper towels, scissors, un-waxed dental floss, and iodine handy in the whelping room. Also make sure you have your vet's phone number nearby in case of any problems.

    • 8

      Monitor your collie during delivery. Collies and other dogs can deliver puppies on their own. Allow your collie to take care of the process. She will remove her puppies from their placenta sacs and chew the umbilical cord off. If she is not taking care of one of her puppies, you may need to step in. Remove puppies from sacs starting with the head. Stimulate puppy by gently him with a towel. Use the scissors to cut the umbilical cords and tie off with dental floss. Sterilize with iodine to prevent infection. Keep track of how many placentas are delivered. The number of puppies and placentas need to match because a retained placenta can cause serious complications for your collie.