Common Sense Thoughts on Breeding Dogs

Purebred dogs are popular for many reasons. They look perfect, are awesome to have around and they make their owners proud. Dogs have an almost infinite array of personalities and temperaments. The need for breeding dogs appeared from the wish to conserve and maintain the good characteristics of dog breeds. The main reason why dogs should be bred is without any doubt the betterment of their breed. No other motivation should be more important than this.

Before even considering breeding dogs, you need to clarify your reasons for wanting to do so.

*Money. Purebreds come at a price and owning one might seem like a good way to make some money. But there is a catch: responsible breeding requires much time, effort and yes, money invested. Many accredited breeders are happy if they manage to come out even of the breeding business. Why is that? You will have to wait until your dam reaches at least two years of age. Breeding dogs before the age of maturity is like encouraging pregnancy for teenagers. Care for the dam involves veterinary checks. Whelping can go wrong and a C-section is a costly medical intervention. Puppies need to be kept next to their mother for at least eight weeks. Their care requires a substantial amount of time, but they will also need at least one set of shots. More bills!
*Life lesson for children. You should be careful with this one. The birth of many cute puppies can indeed turn into a life-marking experience. Accidents happen and with no one being able to predict how the birth would go, the experience might be cast with dark shades. The death of a puppy or the birth of still puppies, are harsh experiences for little children. Breeding dogs only to introduce children to facts of life is just not fair for either of the parts.
*You want a pet exactly like the current one. That is virtually impossible and even if a puppy will look like the parent, it will have a different personality. Dog breeding, if done the right way is an art placed on a scientific basis. Breeders need to be well prepared, have notions of genetics; they have to have accurate knowledge of the pedigree of the animals involved. There are several health-related dangers to breeding and breeders need to know how to avoid these. The way your pet looks and behaves is the result of much care and work.

If you are aware of all the pros and cons of breeding dogs and still want to explore this territory, do all in your power to become a responsible breeder. Your pet has to pass conformation, has to pass temperament and health testing. If all is well on your side, start searching for a compatible (non-related!) partner with the same background. Make sure you have the financial resources to ensure a problem-free pregnancy and whelping. Only trust the puppies with owners who know what they are walking into.

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