So, you want to breed?
Think about it!
Often times I have heard someone say how nice it would be to breed a litter of puppies. What fun puppies would be to watch them grow and perhaps when we sell them we make some extra money too. Perhaps make even more than what we paid for buying the bitch. Or maybe we can keep one of the puppies for the kids or give one to our friend who has always wanted what we have, but cannot afford to buy a purebred puppy of her own. The excuses are many, but none of them valid or thought about without being informed properly, hence, the reason why I have decided to inform you the reader.
There should be only one reason good enough for breeding any pure bred dog, and that is to further improve the breed. To believe you are going to benefit monetary from breeding a litter, you are deceiving yourself, especially when it is a Toy breed of dog you intend on breeding, most of which do not easily whelp and most need caesarean section deliveries by a qualified veterinarian surgeon.
Before you even think about breeding, ask yourself these questions.
1. Is my bitch my beloved pet and am I prepared to possibly lose her should something go wrong during delivery and I am not experienced enough to know when she needs the assistance of the vet? And should my bitch need veterinary assistance out of office hours, how could I get her to a vet? Most veterinarians do not practice after hours, nor do they make themselves available for emergencies. Your option would be to take her to the nearest Animal Emergency Hospital and be prepared to pay over a thousand dollars, up front, before receiving treatment for your bitch.
2. Is my bitch large enough in the pelvic area to be able to pass a normal sized pup during a normal delivery? And what if that normal sized pup were to become lodged in the pelvis during delivery, am I experienced and knowledgeable enough to know how to assist in order to save the puppy's life and possibly the bitch's life as well? In this case scenario there is generally only minutes to work in and getting to a vet in time to save the life of a puppy, is near impossible.To my knowledge, there is no vet that would make himself physically available for the duration of the whelping in your home or his office. And considering most bitches decided to choose the middle of the night to whelp or early hours of the morning, I do not blame vets for their decisions.
3. Ask yourself if you are prepared to pay a stud fee? Yes, stud fees are charged in order for another breeder's male to service your bitch and the stud fee is paid up front and before the bitch leaves the stud owner's premises. You are paying for a service only and no guarantee of resulting puppies. Although, most stud owners will be reasonable enough to let you have a free return service if the bitch does not conceive and it can be proved that she did not, in the way of a medical certificate. You must let the stud owner know as soon as you do. The price of the stud fee varies and depends on the stud dog you want to use, bloodlines, wins, etc. But even a reasonable priced stud fee begins at a couple of hundred dollars.
4. Do you have experience enough to choose the correct stud for your bitch? It's not as easy as putting a dog and a bitch together and getting puppies. You must have some knowledge of genetics and hope to produce beautiful, healthy, puppies, as free as possible of genetic defects.
5. Are you prepared and have the time to look after your bitch throughout her pregnancy and when she whelps the puppies?
6. Can you cover the cost of vet fees should your bitch need medical assistance and then later for vaccinating of puppies, advertising, cost of raising a litter correctly?
7. Do you have the time to be available for your bitch and puppies for up to a minimum off eight weeks until the puppies are sold? There is much to be done until then. And what if not all the puppies are sold at eight weeks? Do you have the facilities to look after them until the appropriate homes are found?
8. Do you realize that as a seller of a puppy, you are also responsible to make sure the sale is handled correctly as to avoid possible liability costs should the unthinkable happen at a later date?
9. Do you know how to hand rear a puppy should it be needed? Do you know how to recognize a puppy who is sick and in need of attention, both veterinarian and also home nursing?
10. If needed, are you capable of giving your full time attention to a litter 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
If you have answered "no" to any of the above, I strongly suggest you leave the breeding of purebred dogs to the professionals. Breeders who have had years of experience in doing just that. If you want another puppy or adult dog, you would be far better off buying one than trying to breed one yourself.
Many people make the mistake of thinking dog breeders make easy money. Firstly, there is nothing easy about breeding dogs and certainly there is no money to be made. When you sit down and add up all the expenditure involved in breeding, even before the puppies are born, let alone afterwards, you will plainly see why purebred puppies sell for the amount they do. Dog breeders are lucky if they even cover their costs with the sale of an entire litter!
Purebred dog breeders are dedicated people that make the time and effort in doing what they do for one reason only, to better their beloved breed, to enable themselves to continue with their passion; exhibition of purebred dogs. They spend endless hours researching which planned breeding would be the best for their bitch. They look after their bitch with all their love, care, and attention during gestation and whelping. They will make sure they have a watchful eye over the dam and her puppies once they are born. They spend hours, day and night, tending to their every need. Sacrificing all else just to ensure their litter is cared for. No outings with the family, no trips to visit friends, or go to the cinemas, they are there 24/7 days a week for their dogs.
Breeders have the experience to recognize a sick or weak puppy in a litter. They know when the entire litter needs to be hand reared because something has gone wrong with the dam (bitch) or because she has rejected her babies, as often spoiled house pets will do. They are prepared to sacrifice sleep, put in many hours of hand rearing which in itself is not an easy task and one that is very demanding physically as well as emotionally. During these times, the breeder's family, knows they will go without their usual extras because the breeder's number one priority is the litter and their needs. A breeder's family is understanding, is supportive, and encouraging because even if they are not committed to the dogs in the same way, their spouse or mother/father is and they know how important it is to them.
After reading this article, which sparsely touches upon the work of a dog breeder, I please ask you to carefully consider your decision before you do breed your bitch, as much for your sake as that of your much beloved pet. The next time you buy a purebred dog and think you are paying a lot of money, you now know why. As the old saying goes, "you pay for what you get".
Thank you for taking the time to read this on my web site. It just shows you care.
Written by
Anne Roditis-Muscat
Promoting Purebred Dog Ownership
Member of the Victorian Canine Association
Australia. © copyright 2005
Think about it!
Often times I have heard someone say how nice it would be to breed a litter of puppies. What fun puppies would be to watch them grow and perhaps when we sell them we make some extra money too. Perhaps make even more than what we paid for buying the bitch. Or maybe we can keep one of the puppies for the kids or give one to our friend who has always wanted what we have, but cannot afford to buy a purebred puppy of her own. The excuses are many, but none of them valid or thought about without being informed properly, hence, the reason why I have decided to inform you the reader.
There should be only one reason good enough for breeding any pure bred dog, and that is to further improve the breed. To believe you are going to benefit monetary from breeding a litter, you are deceiving yourself, especially when it is a Toy breed of dog you intend on breeding, most of which do not easily whelp and most need caesarean section deliveries by a qualified veterinarian surgeon.
Before you even think about breeding, ask yourself these questions.
1. Is my bitch my beloved pet and am I prepared to possibly lose her should something go wrong during delivery and I am not experienced enough to know when she needs the assistance of the vet? And should my bitch need veterinary assistance out of office hours, how could I get her to a vet? Most veterinarians do not practice after hours, nor do they make themselves available for emergencies. Your option would be to take her to the nearest Animal Emergency Hospital and be prepared to pay over a thousand dollars, up front, before receiving treatment for your bitch.
2. Is my bitch large enough in the pelvic area to be able to pass a normal sized pup during a normal delivery? And what if that normal sized pup were to become lodged in the pelvis during delivery, am I experienced and knowledgeable enough to know how to assist in order to save the puppy's life and possibly the bitch's life as well? In this case scenario there is generally only minutes to work in and getting to a vet in time to save the life of a puppy, is near impossible.To my knowledge, there is no vet that would make himself physically available for the duration of the whelping in your home or his office. And considering most bitches decided to choose the middle of the night to whelp or early hours of the morning, I do not blame vets for their decisions.
3. Ask yourself if you are prepared to pay a stud fee? Yes, stud fees are charged in order for another breeder's male to service your bitch and the stud fee is paid up front and before the bitch leaves the stud owner's premises. You are paying for a service only and no guarantee of resulting puppies. Although, most stud owners will be reasonable enough to let you have a free return service if the bitch does not conceive and it can be proved that she did not, in the way of a medical certificate. You must let the stud owner know as soon as you do. The price of the stud fee varies and depends on the stud dog you want to use, bloodlines, wins, etc. But even a reasonable priced stud fee begins at a couple of hundred dollars.
4. Do you have experience enough to choose the correct stud for your bitch? It's not as easy as putting a dog and a bitch together and getting puppies. You must have some knowledge of genetics and hope to produce beautiful, healthy, puppies, as free as possible of genetic defects.
5. Are you prepared and have the time to look after your bitch throughout her pregnancy and when she whelps the puppies?
6. Can you cover the cost of vet fees should your bitch need medical assistance and then later for vaccinating of puppies, advertising, cost of raising a litter correctly?
7. Do you have the time to be available for your bitch and puppies for up to a minimum off eight weeks until the puppies are sold? There is much to be done until then. And what if not all the puppies are sold at eight weeks? Do you have the facilities to look after them until the appropriate homes are found?
8. Do you realize that as a seller of a puppy, you are also responsible to make sure the sale is handled correctly as to avoid possible liability costs should the unthinkable happen at a later date?
9. Do you know how to hand rear a puppy should it be needed? Do you know how to recognize a puppy who is sick and in need of attention, both veterinarian and also home nursing?
10. If needed, are you capable of giving your full time attention to a litter 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
If you have answered "no" to any of the above, I strongly suggest you leave the breeding of purebred dogs to the professionals. Breeders who have had years of experience in doing just that. If you want another puppy or adult dog, you would be far better off buying one than trying to breed one yourself.
Many people make the mistake of thinking dog breeders make easy money. Firstly, there is nothing easy about breeding dogs and certainly there is no money to be made. When you sit down and add up all the expenditure involved in breeding, even before the puppies are born, let alone afterwards, you will plainly see why purebred puppies sell for the amount they do. Dog breeders are lucky if they even cover their costs with the sale of an entire litter!
Purebred dog breeders are dedicated people that make the time and effort in doing what they do for one reason only, to better their beloved breed, to enable themselves to continue with their passion; exhibition of purebred dogs. They spend endless hours researching which planned breeding would be the best for their bitch. They look after their bitch with all their love, care, and attention during gestation and whelping. They will make sure they have a watchful eye over the dam and her puppies once they are born. They spend hours, day and night, tending to their every need. Sacrificing all else just to ensure their litter is cared for. No outings with the family, no trips to visit friends, or go to the cinemas, they are there 24/7 days a week for their dogs.
Breeders have the experience to recognize a sick or weak puppy in a litter. They know when the entire litter needs to be hand reared because something has gone wrong with the dam (bitch) or because she has rejected her babies, as often spoiled house pets will do. They are prepared to sacrifice sleep, put in many hours of hand rearing which in itself is not an easy task and one that is very demanding physically as well as emotionally. During these times, the breeder's family, knows they will go without their usual extras because the breeder's number one priority is the litter and their needs. A breeder's family is understanding, is supportive, and encouraging because even if they are not committed to the dogs in the same way, their spouse or mother/father is and they know how important it is to them.
After reading this article, which sparsely touches upon the work of a dog breeder, I please ask you to carefully consider your decision before you do breed your bitch, as much for your sake as that of your much beloved pet. The next time you buy a purebred dog and think you are paying a lot of money, you now know why. As the old saying goes, "you pay for what you get".
Thank you for taking the time to read this on my web site. It just shows you care.
Written by
Anne Roditis-Muscat
Promoting Purebred Dog Ownership
Member of the Victorian Canine Association
Australia. © copyright 2005
