If you understand the responsibilities and risks involved in the process of breeding dogs, it can be a very rewarding and exciting task.A bunch of puppies running around seems adorable and fun, but they also require a lot of work and attention.If you want to work in breeding dogs, you need to be prepared.
Step 1: Do your research, do it.
You need to research before you can decide if you are ready to breed.This will help you understand the process and what you have to do.You can read books by veterinarians.Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.Discuss the realities of breeding with other breeders.There are books written by veterinarians.The Complete Book of Dog Breeding was written by Dr. Dan Rice.
Step 2: Have the right reasons for doing so.
Previous experience and research is the only responsible reason to breed.You are a good candidate for breeding dogs if you have spent at least two years training and competing your dog.It takes a lot of work and research to bring high quality puppies into the world.You should not breed dogs to sell them as pets.This is not a good way to breed.Many puppy farms are found across the United States because of this reason.Someone who contributes to the pet overpopulation problem is not responsible.It takes a lot of time and money to breed properly.
Step 3: Look at your situation.
Determine if you have an exceptional example of your breed.You have the help of experts.If you want to improve the breed, you need to know that your dog is within the top 10%.It's important that your dog contributes to the genetic pool.Your dog needs to be healthy.Your dog should have a symmetrical appearance that matches the breed standards.An exceptional temperament is what your dog should have.You need to be prepared to live with the puppies for at least 8 weeks before they leave your house for a new home.You need to know when the breeding will happen.This can help you understand how it will affect you and your family.Prepare to keep all the puppies.They are responsible for their health and happiness.You may have to keep them all if you can't get all of them.
Step 4: What dogs are good to breed.
Some dogs are good candidates for breeding.New puppies can benefit from some of the hereditary qualities that can be passed down.You can breed dogs.The dog's ability to retrieve and herd livestock or track prey is what determines their talents.Show dogs are judged on their physical appearance and behavior.The tendency for a dog to be good at certain jobs can be hereditary.The sire and dam dogs need to have track records in the field.There are contests to see if a dog can perform.The show dogs need to follow the rules.This is the standard for every dog breed.The American Kennel Club sets a breed standard for the United States.Dogs bred to meet these standards are judged in a show ring against others to determine which dog best represents the breed.Some countries have their own standards.If you are going to show other countries, look for the standards.
Step 5: Pick your dog.
You have to choose which dogs you want to breed.A female dog capable of having puppies is what you need to choose a dam.A stud is a male dog you want to breed with a dam.They need to have the discussed characteristics.If you don't have a stud from a different breeder, you can get one from another.It costs money to hire a stud or purchase semen.Sometimes the arrangement allows the owner of the sire to pick the litter.All agreements should be written and signed so that there is a contract between the parties.
Step 6: Determine their genes.
The dogs' genetics should be looked into.Do you know if your dogs have good qualities in their bloodline?You can get a dog's bloodlines from the American Kennel Club.You have to make sure the pair are not related to prevent genetic defects.You should have your dog and the dog you want to breed tested for genetic problems associated with their breed.TheOFA manages a database of dogs and their test results for genetic problems like hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and heart problems.You don't want to breed dogs with health conditions that will be passed on to the next generation.
Step 7: Observe their demeanor.
To see the behavior of the dogs you want to breed, watch them.This should be with other dogs as well.Puppies with similar temperaments are more likely to be bred friendly, well balanced dogs.Aggressive and fearful dogs should not be bred.They are dangerous.
Step 8: Check the ages of the dogs.
The breeding age of your dogs is important.The average dog needs to be around 2 years old.By 24 months of age, many genetic issues will show up.Specific tests can be used to have these screened.x-rays of dogs will not be accepted by the OFA until 24 months after the evaluation.To breed successfully, your dogs will need permanent identification in the form of a chip or tattoo to be able to submit testing data for evaluation by the OFA and other entities.They want to make sure there is no way to fudge the results.The estrus cycles are between 6 and 9 months.After their first cycle, they go into heat.Most breeders don't breed a dam until she is 2 years old and has had 3 or 4 cycles.She is mature at this point.She is able to deal with the stress of carrying and delivering pups.
Step 9: Dogs should be taken to the vet.
If you want to breed a dog, you need to have it checked by a vet.Make sure your dog is up to date on his vaccinations.She will give her milk to the puppies.The puppies are protected from getting sick.
Step 10: Understand your dog's medical history.
Your dog's medical problems can change your breeding plans.Before breeding small breed dogs, you want to understand their genetic conditions.The puppies are likely to have the same problems.Malocclusions is a condition where the upper and lower jaws don't meet correctly.They can be prone to dislocation in their knee caps, hip or elbow dysplasia, and spine problems.They may have allergies that can lead to skin and ear infections, heart conditions, eye problems, or behavior problems.Do you know if your dog is on a deworming program?There are worms that can be passed from the mom dog to the puppies.
Step 11: You should have a soundness exam.
Animals need to be checked to make sure they are able to breed.This could include a semen analysis for your male dog.Genetic problems and diseases like Brucellosis can be found by these tests.Brucellosis testing is a must before breeding a sire or dam.
Step 12: The dam should go into heat.
Before your dam can be bred, she needs to be in heat.The timing is not set in stone, so watch when it happens.There is a chance of a bloody discharge from the dam's genital area.If you have a stud nearby, he will be more interested in the female.The stud will not be accepted by the dam until she is ready to breed.She may try to keep him away until she is ready.Don't let your dogs get hurt.When they are together, watch them closely.The female will be receptive about 9-11 days into the heat cycle and allow the sire to mount and mate her.If you can't get your dam bred, your vet can do progesterone testing.She is ready to accept semen when she is in estrus.The levels of prostaglandins will go up 1-2 days before ovulation.The silent heat cycles of some dams make it difficult to detect estrus.
Step 13: Artificial insemination is a good idea.
If you don't have a stud, artificial insemination can help you breed your dog.Liquid nitrogen can be used to store frozen dog semen.Specific steps are taken to thaw the dog.If the pair you chose can't seem to breed naturally, you may need to consider this.This raises questions about the breeding soundness of the next generation.Semen can be implanted into the uterus by a vet under anesthesia.The extra procedures increase the cost of each pregnancy and puppy litter.
Step 14: Your dam should be kept healthy.
You can separate her from the stud when you know the dam has been bred.She needs a balanced diet.She can get supplemental vitamins, such as calcium.These are usually recommended by your vet.Over the course of the pregnancy, this needs to happen.The period for dogs is 58 to 70 days.Fleas can get into the dam's kennel.Provide lots of fresh water and clean bedding.
Step 15: It is a good idea to notice the changes to your dam.
During pregnancy, the nipples and mammary glands change.The mammary glands will start to fill with milk at the end of the pregnancy.Extra nutrition will be required during the last three weeks of her pregnancy.Discuss nutrition with your doctor.During the last three weeks of pregnancy, a pregnant woman is fed puppy food.She is provided with adequate calories and nutrition for the growing fetus.
Step 16: Prepare a box for food.
The puppies will be delivered with a whelping box.The box should be 6 inches longer than the female when she is lying prone, and a foot or so wider.She should not be able to lay on the pups after they are born.The newspapers should be placed in the bottom of the box.When the bottom becomes dirty, this helps keep it clean.You can remove a layer of paper and plastic and leave a clean one in its place.Clean towels and other bedding can be laundered.
Step 17: Be vigilant.
When the time for delivery is near is something you need to be aware of.Understand the stages of labor.She should be monitored for strong contractions for at least 30 minutes after she starts delivering puppies.This could be a sign of problems during the delivery.Your vet will be able to count how many fetal skeletons are present by having x-rays done at 45 days.This shows if there are any large puppies inside.This information will help you prepare for a c-section and give you an idea of how many puppies you will have.
Step 18: The puppies should be kept warm.
Puppies need to be kept warm when they are born.They need to be able to nurse.If they have a cleft palate, examine them.There should be no evidence of a separation of the oral tissue in a puppy's mouth.The puppies will be helped by the dam to nurse.Milk will go from the mouth to the nose if there is a cleft palate.If the situation is severe, the puppy should be euthanized.
Step 19: If you have a baby, record it.
Write down the birth date, total number of pups, and the sex of the pups.You can register the litter online with organizations such as the AKC.The registration numbers of the dam and sire are required when filling out the form.
Step 20: Puppies are monitored.
Make sure the puppies stay warm and clean the first few weeks.Make sure they get enough milk.The puppies need to be weighed daily to make sure they are gaining weight.Puppies with full bellies should be healthy.Puppies should gain 10% of their body weight in the first 2 weeks of life.They will get very active at about 4 weeks.The box won't be large enough.They should be given a larger enclosure to explore.The dam is likely to leave them alone for a long time.The puppies can be wet at this time.
Step 21: You should take them to the vet.
The puppies should be taken to the vet when they are 7 to 8 weeks old.The first vaccinations will be given by the vet.Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Para flu are included.They are also treated for worms.There should be a discussion about flea and heartworm prevention.Your doctor should check for other health problems as well.A responsible breeder will give this information to the new owners of the puppies so that they can complete the puppy's vaccinations during the recommended time frame.
Step 22: Screen new owners of puppies.
The process needs to be done with care.You should make sure that you are sending the puppy to a good home.The new family should be prepared to devote time, energy, and resources to the dog.A home inspection is a good idea.If a family is not a good fit for one of your puppies, you will have to turn them down.
Step 23: A contract should be created.
A contract should be drawn up with the puppy owners when you find them.It is important to include any health guarantees that you are providing.The family must return the puppy to you if they are unable to keep it for a long time.Indicate if the puppy was sold as a pet or a breeding prospect and if there are any requirements for spaying/neutering by a specific age.