Before you breed – Dog breeding advice

• Why do you want to breed
• Do you have the time
• Do you have the room/facilities
• Do you have the knowledge
• Have you checked your legal responsibilities
• The American Kennel Club

Why do you want to breed - If your answer to this question is ‘because puppies are cute’ or ‘I could make some money’, then you need to seriously reconsider. Puppies may be cute, but dogs are not so cute. As for making money, breeding is an expensive business. Costs you can expect include vet bills, food, equipment and advertising. These can be expensive if everything goes according to plan, but complications can, and do, occur.

Do you have the time - Your bitch will need to be closely monitored during the days leading up to labour and you will need to be present for the whelping, which could take up the best part of a day. Also, the newborn pups will need to be cared for until they have been successfully rehomed.

Your bitch will need special meals, short and frequent walks and lots of TLC. Later on, when the pups are a bit older you will need to feed, walk and take care of them all. Not forgetting, of course, the all-important trips to the vet for innoculations and worming. Remember there could be 10-12 puppies and they are going to be with you for at least seven weeks.

Do you have the room/facilities - Puppies are a messy business. You will need a whelping box and run large enough to comfortably home your bitch and up to 12 puppies (depending on the breed). Bedding will need to be changed and washed several times a day. Hard floors that can be mopped easily are essential as the puppies will not be house trained. Having a safe and secure garden or outside area is essential to let the puppies run and play.

Do you have the knowledge - Research is essential. Make sure you know all there is to know, such as immediate care of the newborns, whelping complications and health problems that can occur. Lack of knowledge could endanger not only the puppies, but your bitch too.

Your puppy’s new owners will look to you for information regarding the breed and upbringing recommendations for their new family member.

Have you checked your legal responsibilities - According to local state laws and national legislation on dog breeding.

Also, if you are breeding working dogs you will need to find a qualified vet that will dock the tails of the puppies and remove their dew claws.