Tips & Techniques for Dog Breeding

Dog breeding is a complicated and expensive undertaking. Depending upon the breed of dog you are hoping to breed, veterinary expenses alone can run into thousands of dollars. This is because some dogs, like the bulldog, may require expensive procedures such as artificial insemination and a cesarean section. Also, there are regulatory agencies, such as animal care and control, and public safety, that oversee breeders in an effort to curb overpopulation. Fees and fines from these governmental agencies can be costly.

  1. Pet Shop Dogs

    • Many purebred dogs have genetic and heredity problems.

      Dogs acquired in pet stores should never be bred. These dogs almost always come from puppy mills, large-scale commercial breeding facilities that care not for the health, temperament and genetic integrity of the dog and put profit first. Dogs bought and sold in pet stores are frequently the victims of serious hereditary disorders that should not be passed on to future generations. If you are considering breeding your dog, you should ensure your dog is of sound mind and body with no genetic or mental defects or disorders.

    The Show Life

    • Keeping a dog as a companion animal is one thing; breeding is quite another.

      The purpose of dog shows is so that dogs in line for breeding are selected with great care. You bring your dog to a regional dog show where it earns points toward its conformation. That is, a judge will look at your dog and determine how close to the breed standard your dog comes. Depending upon how your dog conforms to the breed standard, you will be awarded points toward the dog's championship. You continue to appear at dog shows, collecting points, while your dog's sexual counterpart is going through the same process. There are strict entry rules for the shows, and the fees to enter these dogs shows can add up.

    Mating Season

    • Small dogs are being bred smaller and smaller much to the detriment of the dog.

      At some point, after your dog has been winning points, an owner of a dog of the opposite sex will contact you, or vice versa, and arrange for a mating. If you own the bitch, you can expect to pay a stud fee for the services of the male dog. If you own the male, you may be given "breeder's terms," a contract whereby you offer your dog to stand at stud in return for the pick of the litter. The veterinary fees, medications, vaccinations and other costs may be borne by one or both of the parties.

    Fees and Fines

    • When movies come out that features specific breeds, it creates a demand for those dogs and the quality of the dogs drop as puppy mill profits rise.

      Many municipalities and counties now have programs in place to curb overpopulation in their communities. This means that those who are breeding dogs must have a license to do so. Failure to procure the license can result in hefty fines. Furthermore, many of these communities are offering incentives to dog owners who spay and neuter their animals. With an estimated 3 million to 4 million animals being euthanized each year in shelters, according to the Humane Society of the United States, those considering breeding their dog should reconsider adding to the pet overpopulation crisis in America. Breeding dogs is not a lucrative and simple business, it's hard, back- and heartbreaking, expensive work that is best left to breed experts.