If you are thinking about breeding your bitch, there is some things, which you must be sure to ask yourself first. These questions will help to make the entire process easier.
10 things to consider when breeding your bitch
- Is the female dog very healthy, fit, and does she have the right temperament for breeding purposes?
- Are you able to afford to pay for any health tests that the female bitch may need prior to mating her? Can you also afford to pay for the tests or medical services where her litter is concerned too?
- Do you know enough to help the bitch during the whelping stage, if required of you?
- Can you afford to pay for a caesarean should the dam prove to have difficulty in whelping the litter?
- Are you truly able to deal with a large litter of puppies, which could be between 10 and 12 puppies!?
- Do you have enough knowledge that is required to tend to a litter of puppies, including worming, vaccinations, and socialisation?
- Do I have enough time to devote myself to a litter of puppies until they are old enough to be relocated to new homes? This is usually around eight weeks after they have been born.
- Do I have ample knowledge to advise new owners on how to care properly for their puppies, this includes rearing them, proper diet, and training?
- Will I be able to find the very best of homes for all of the puppies?
- Will I be in a position to take back or re-home any puppies if the need arises for it?
If you have not been able to say yes to these questions,and you may existing issues with them, then you will need to take the following information into mind and keep it in mind. Breeding just may not be for you. If you decide that you don’t want to breed from your bitch. You do need to take your female dog and have her spayed / neutered properly. This will help to prevent any unwanted or unplanned pregnancies to happen.
If you have found that you are able to say yes to all of the above questions and are in the right frame of mind to entertain breeding your bitch. Then you should set out to breed her as soon as you are able to. However, do keep the following in mind, and keep it in your mind. These things are as follows. They are:
- Most breeders who are very responsible do believe that they can improve upon the breed with each new litter that comes along. This also is an improvement on the parents and the breed together.
- Breeders who are also very responsible do always give careful and close attention to any health issues that may arise. This also includes the temperament of the breed and the look of the dog as well.
- Breeders who are very responsible also make sure to plan ahead of each mating that takes place. This is because they want to ensure that each puppy that is produced will be bred in the best environment possible.
- Breeders who are very responsible, as well as caring, are breeders who do take full responsibility for each and every puppy that is produced from breeding. They make themselves always available to new owners for advice, any help they do need, and information as well.
When should you breed your bitch?
A bitch should be over a year old and a female dog that has seen her first season before mating. Your bitch should also be examined for any form of diseases that may be inherited before she is mated. A bitch should be mated on the time period, which is between the 11th and 14th day of her season. Judging the correct day for mating your bitch can prove to be a challenge. This is because she can be ready to mate earlier or later on with a male dog. It may be wise to have an ovulation test done on your bitch by your veterinarian surgeon to try to figure out the best conception date for her. Bitches tend to stay in whelp for a period of 63 days and this is dependent on the size of her litter.
The first weeks of a puppy’s life
Here is a great video from the first hour to the 70th day of a puppy’s development.
How to go about finding a stud dog that is suitable?
You can visit the our dogs for stud section. It is the responsibility of the breeder to make sure that the stud dog they do seek for their bitch is a male dog of pedigree breeding only. It must also be examined for any existing diseases that may be inherited as well. These are usually diseases that the breed may be known to be more susceptible to have.
Do remember that males dogs may also carry certain breeding restrictions along with them. Any type of breeding endorsements may have to be wiped clean from his registration records before any mating does take place or a litter can be registered. It is strongly advised to make sure than any endorsements such as these have been completely removed from the male dog’s records prior to mating. Any details for approximate stud fees, puppy prices, and other crucial information can be talked over with the stud owner at time of mutual agreement.
In the end we hope that breeding your bitch will enhance your life and the lives of others. Breeding is a gift, not a right. It’s not for everyone and if you go down the road of breeding your dog, then you should consider all the tips in this article.
