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Preparation
The decision to breed a litter is not one to be taken lightly. A responsible breeder knows that puppies do not rear themselves. From planning the breeding to gestation, from the actual whelping to weaning, from puppy-socialisation to finding good, responsible owners, it all rests on the shoulders of the breeder.
Breeding is also not only all about cuddly little puppies and milky breaths, it can also mean heartbreak and horror when things go wrong. Don’t think it’s an easy way to make money.
Proper veterinary care, excellent feeding, necessary tests and health checks are only a few costly examples of why proper, responsible breeding is a financial bottomless pit.
Commercial puppy-farming might show profit, but only to the detriment of the dogs involved and ultimately, damage to the breed.
If you do decide to breed, it can only be for two reasons. One, the betterment of the breed, and two, love for the breed.
Breeding should take place when the breeder wants to breed a puppy for himself, in order to continue his showing/working line.
The first decision you have to make, is whether your female is good enough to breed from. The best way to do that is to attend and take part in Breed shows. Breed shows have the sole purpose of grading breeding stock.
If you own a Working breed, then the attendance of, and participation in Working Trials is a must. Talk with the Breeder of your bitch once she has reached maturity. If she is of good quality, sound and with excellent type, conformation and temperament, as well as Registered with KENNEL CLUB or the Registering Body for your particular Breed and Country, then she can be considered for breeding.
She should be tested for the bleeding disorder Von Willebrands Disease, the test is very simple to do and the results are conclusive as it is a DNA test.
Now you must make sure that she does not have some genetic defect which can be picked up using specific tests. Her eyes need to be tested by an Ophthalmologic Specialist.
Hips can be X-rayed and scanned for possible Hip Displacia. Even if she gets the all clear, she might still carry a recessive gene for some genetic disorder which no test can pick up. She must be healthy and all her inoculation and booster shots need to be up to date and she must be thoroughly de-wormed, as well as be clear from other parasites such as fleas.
The choice of a stud dog is not an easy one. Even if you already own a good male, he must be considered as only one choice from a whole selection of excellent males available.
Not only must the stud complement her physically, his pedigree must complement hers as well. The object of mating the two must be to produce a litter which will improve the breed - conformation, temperament, soundness and function.
Of course, after narrowing down his choice to one particular male, the responsible breeder will then insist on all possible health checks on the male before utilising the services of this dog. The owner of the male will also want to approve the female in question before agreeing to the mating.
Discuss the terms of mating beforehand, agree on the cost of the stud fee, or whether the owner of the male will choose a puppy in lieu of a stud fee. Normally the owner of the bitch must get first pick, but have all these discussions and have the agreement before the mating takes place.