Breeding Information for People Who Want to Breed Dogs

Revised: July 02, 2013
Published: December 14, 2003

Factors to Consider

  • Will your dog contribute excellent health, temperament, working ability or conformity to the breed standard?

  • Do you understand that spaying and neutering will prevent some health problems that you risk by keeping your dog intact?
     
  • Are you aware of any and all health and temperament problems in your dog's pedigree, looking at both depth and breadth of pedigree?

  • Are you willing to search for the best dog to breed your dog to, even if you have to travel out of state?

  • Do you have carefully screened buyers and deposits for all the puppies you may produce?

  • Do you have money set aside in case the dam or puppies need emergency care?

  • Can you or another responsible adult be present 24 hours a day for the first 3 weeks in case hand feeding is needed?

  • Have you read about what to prepare and expect for canine pregnancy, whelping and puppy rearing? (rec source: Canine Reproduction: A Breeder's Guide 3rd Edition, Phyllis Holst)

  • Are you willing to keep and properly socialize all the puppies until good homes are found?

  • Are you willing to take back any or all puppies any time in their lives that they may no longer be wanted?

  • Are you willing to serve as a lifetime resource for the buyers of your puppies?

Pre-Breeding Procedures

  • Annual CERF eye certification.

  • Wait until 2 years of age before breeding, then have OFA hip and elbow certification performed.

  • Have all breed-specific health clearances performed - check with veterinarian and national breed club (may include heart, thyroid, genetic testing, many others).

  • Have Brucella canis test performed 1 month in advance.

  • Have a complete physical examination performed on your dog prior to breeding. 
         - This should include a digital vaginal exam to check for vaginal band/stricture.

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