I’d like to breed my dog at some point but I want to learn as much as I can about it before I do. Breeders, how did you get started? What would you recommend I do or read to educate myself on breeding? What are the costs involved? Pros and cons of becoming a dog breeder. Thanks.
Im glad you are researching first! Go to dog shows and meet breeders to learn as much as you can.
First, The Wrong Reasons to Breed:
One of the worst things you could do would be to breed your dog for the wrong reasons. Each year about 17 million dogs and cats are turned over to animal shelters. Out of every 10 that were taken in, only one finds a home. Of the rest, some 13.5 million must be destroyed.
The suffering and sorrow associated with pet overpopulation is overwhelming. And yet, much of it could be eliminated by breeding only for the right reasons.
You want to breed because puppies are soooooo cute? Keep in mind they will grow up quickly and may be not be so cute anymore. What will you do then?
You want to let your kids experience the miracle of birth? Unfortunately, the whelping process has usually been completed by the time you realize it and everyone has missed "the miracle." Pregnancy has significant health risks for the bitch.
You want to breed so that you can sell the puppies? Unless you are serious about promoting a particular breed, it is unlikely that buyers will knock at your door to buy. Even if you choose to breed a particular breed, you will likely not make a significant profit. Buy the time you buy a whelping box, vet fees and check ups for mom and pups, immunizations, etc etc etc… and Pups should NOT leave the mother until they are TWELVE weeks old for proper socializaition!!!
Responsible breeders embrace the belief that each new litter should represent an improvement over the last.
Responsible breeders are aware that each breed has an official standard or written desrcription of how the ideal dog looks, moves and behaves. They are careful to only breed dogs that meet this standard.
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It is a scene repeated all too often. A panicked owner and a pet in distress presented in labor. Sometimes what is happening is normal. Labor takes time and the pet’s guardian is simply overanxious. Sometimes the situation is more serious, and the pet may require medical intervention or even a cesarean section. The best way to avoid or prepare for these situations is to be an informed, knowledgeable owner before breeding your dog.
Before deciding to breed your dog, a visit to your veterinarian is essential. Your pet’s doctor can make sure your dog is in excellent health, currently vaccinated and free from internal and external parasites. Discuss a proper diet for pregnancy, as certain nutritional requirements will increase. If you have a purebred dog, be sure to discuss any possible inherited problems, because each breed has a tendency to develop certain diseases or conditions. Your veterinarian can tell you what problems are common among your specific breed and if your dog is a good breeding candidate. Temperament is important. Nervous, anxious, shy or aggressive dogs often make poor parents and pass these traits on to their puppies. Go to dog shows and meet breeders to learn as much as you can.
Finding the right mate for your dog should be done carefully and with consideration. Choose a mate that best complements your pet’s temperament and physical characteristics. An experienced breeder can often be helpful in showing you how to recognize your dog’s strengths and weaknesses. All purebreds recognized by various kennel clubs have a set of physical standards considered to be the goal of breeding a litter of puppies. Check the breed standard guides for your particular dog and then evaluate your dog against the accepted standard. Look for a mate that best complements and balances your pet’s structure, temperament, color and size.
Your veterinarian can explain in detail your dog’s reproductive cycle. This is essential if you will be caring for the mother during pregnancy and labor. A female becomes fertile approximately twice a year. This is known as the heat cycle, and for a few specific days within this cycle, she will be fertile and will accept a male. When these days occur is individual to the dog and will be influenced by size, age, and if she has had previous breedings. A successful breeding may require several encounters between male and female to ensure a pregnancy because fertility can vary from day to day. The day of the first breeding is considered to be day 1 of pregnancy. The length of pregnancy, or gestation period, is 61 to 65 days, the average being 63 days from the first day of breeding.
During the first few weeks of pregnancy your pet will probably not demonstrate any noticeable differences in behavior. As the time for delivery approaches, your dog may become restless and begin to nest. She may want quiet and isolation or constant company. Every pregnancy and labor is unique to every dog. As delivery approaches, your pet will experience a natural fall in body temperature. You can take your pet’s temperature rectally. When it falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, most labor begins within 24 hours. Labor in dogs looks a lot like labor in people. You will see your dog actively contract the muscles of the abdomen and uterus to help push the puppies forward. Sometimes a fluid filled sac is produced before the puppy is seen. These are the membranes of the placenta, and each puppy has its own. You may see only the sac for several minutes before the puppy is delivered. Sometimes the puppy and the placenta are delivered rapidly. Breech births, where the puppy comes out tail first instead of head first, are common and usually pose no problems. In general, if your dog has been actively contracting for more than one hour without producing a puppy, it’s time to call your veterinarian.
We all hope for a smooth labor and delivery with a beautiful litter of healthy puppies as a result. But if you expect the best you must also be prepared for the worst. A cesarean section is often necessary and even anticipated in certain breeds, such as the English bulldog due to the large size of the puppy’s head. Not all puppies survive; some are born with birth defects. And contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are "natural mothers." Some dogs simply refuse to care for their puppies and can even display aggression. If this is the case, you must be ready to assume the task of surrogate parenting. Puppy milk replacers, heat sources, pet nursing bottles, and lots of time and love will be necessary to see them through the first 6 weeks. Pups must be weighed daily to ensure proper development.
Raising puppies the RIGHT way is a LOT of work.
Your new mother dog will need attention too. Talk to your veterinarian about diet adjustments to help meet the new nutritional demands of nursing. Learn how to check her milk glands for signs of pain, inflammation or sores from nursing. Observe for discharges, bleeding or foul odors from her reproductive tract. Don’t bring strangers into the house for a few weeks, as new mothers are protective. People may also bring in Parvo and other diseases that may kill the puppies before they have thier immunity built up. Limit visiting and handling of the newborn puppies until they are a few weeks old. Keep the nesting area or nursery clean and change bedding frequently.
Responsible breeders give careful consideration to health issues, genetic concerns, temperament, soundness and appearance. Genetic testing for the breeds health problems should always be done before breeding. Brucellosis testing is best as well.
Responsible breeders know that every dog – however wonderful as a companion – has certain flaws or weaknesses and that it is important to find a mate that can complement strengths and help eliminate the weaknesses.
Responsible breeders plan ahead to be sure that each puppy they produce will be placed in a safe, loving home suited to its needs.
Responsible breeders accept responsibility for the puppies they produce throughout each puppy’s lifetime and are always available to answer questions and provide information to the puppy’s new owners. They are always willing to take a puppy back no matter how old it is and no matter what the reason is that the puppy buyer can no longer keep the dog.
Many breeders offer puppies for sale with the stipulation that the dogs be neutered or spayed when they reach the appropriate age. This is one way for breers to ensure breed improvement by only allowing dogs they determine to be of breeding quality to reproduce.