How to Start a Dog Stud Service

Successful stud dog services require the owner to be knowledgeable about breed standards, pedigrees, genetic disorders, genetic testing, performance and conformation show titles, inbreeding coefficient calculations and temperament testing. You will need to understand breeding methods, including live cover (breeding your stud to the bitch), frozen and fresh semen and implantation. Dogs without at least three to five generations of genetic and health testing, and that do not have at least half of the dogs in the pedigree titled, are rarely in demand for stud services.

Things You'll Need

  • Registration/ownership papers
  • Pedigree
  • Stud service contract
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Instructions

  1. Stud Dog Service

    • 1

      Review your dog̵7;s sales contract if you bought him. Some breeders sell dogs with clauses that prohibit breeding or have certain health or title requirements. Many dogs are sold on co-owner contracts, so make sure you are the only owner listed.

    • 2

      Review your dog̵7;s pedigree and write out all known genetic issues for the last three to five generations. Often your dog̵7;s breeder will be able to help you with information. Print out this information to discuss with potential clients.

    • 3

      Obtain working and conformation titles for your dog to get maximum fee potential. The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers competitions in conformation, obedience, agility, herding, hunting, lure coursing and other venues. Desirable studs often have both a conformation show title and working titles.

    • 4

      Have your dog complete basic health certifications. The normal evaluations include Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certifications for hips, cardiac, thyroid and elbows. Most breeds require clearance for eyes from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF). Some breeds require genetic clearances for disorders such as Von Willebrand Syndrome, Fanconi Syndrome, progressive retinal atrophy and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK).

    • 5

      Take your dog in for regular veterinary exams, vaccinations and clearing for communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases such as brucellosis.

    • 6

      Contact an attorney or an established breeder to help you prepare a stud contract. The contract will include cost, guarantees regarding live birth and number of puppies guaranteed, repeat breeding or refund clauses and liability in connection with live covers.

    • 7

      Contact your veterinarian to obtain the fees for supervising live cover or semen collection and shipping in order to determine the minimum fee you will need to charge the client for each type of stud service.

    • 8

      Advertise your dog for stud service in several venues. Most breed clubs allow advertisement on their main web page for dogs that have the required health clearances. Breed-specific magazines, such as Chow Life Magazine and The Rottweiler Quarterly, allow stud dog service advertisement. Contact your state breed club to advertise in their magazine (typically quarterly) and show catalogs. If your dog has working titles, advertise in magazines related to that activity such as DogSport Magazine or Schutzhund USA Magazine.

    • 9

      Keep detailed records of costs and payments for tax records. Include expenses such as transportation, feeding and care of a bitch at your home for live breeding, shipping of semen, advertising and contract preparation.