Tips on Dog Breeding

The demand for popular breeds of pedigree dogs can drive many backstreet dog breeders to behave irresponsibly in the pursuit of profit. Unscrupulous breeders have little regard for the health of the dogs they breed and regularly produce litters that go on to suffer myriad health problems later in life. If you're serious about breeding dogs and want to ensure the welfare of your animals, it's important to make sure you're prepared for the responsibility of caring for them and finding them a suitable home.

  1. Facilities

    • Think carefully about whether you have the time and space to care for a litter of puppies before you even considering starting to breed. Make arrangements for their care if you work full-time and there's no one else around the house to look after them litter while you're away from home. Also consider whether you know enough about the process of rearing a litter of puppies. You'll need to understand the importance of socialization, worming and vaccinations. Consider whether you'd be able to meet the vet's bills if something went wrong during the birth.

    Research

    • Some breeds of dogs are prone to genetic conditions that can be exacerbated by aggressive breeding or unsuitable care. It's important to be as knowledgeable as possible about the breed of dog you're planning to work with to minimize the risk of any congenital defects. The American Kennel Club recommends that prospective breeders join a recognized breed club to help them learn about the problems that can occur before starting.

    Sire and Dam

    • Look into the medical history of the sire and dam you plan to use to produce your litter. If you've bought your dogs from a responsible breeder yourself, you should have been given details about their vaccinations and any health problems they've suffered from. It's a very good idea to make sure that any dogs you acquire for breeding purposes are Kennel Club-registered, particularly if you're hiring a stud.

    A Good Home

    • Responsible dog breeders don't sell their puppies on a first come first served basis. It's important to make sure your litter's going to a good home. Ask to look at any prospective owners' properties to make sure they have enough room and establish what they do for a living and for how long they intend to leave the dog alone during the day. Make sure that your dogs are registered with the Kennel Club before handing them over to a new owner and insure them for at least one week from the date you hand them over. You should also be prepared to take a dog back if the new owners find they can't cope.