Dog Breeding Information
Dog breeding is the vocation of mating carefully selected specimens to produce specific qualities and characteristics.
At its best, dog breeding is a blend of science and art. The skilled breeder has knowledge of canine genetics and health, and the purpose for which his dogs will be used.
At worst, dog breeding can be a slipshod enterprise in which the major concern is profit, with little regard to the health and welfare of the dogs involved. Dog breeding is often done by so-called ‘backyard breeders’ (the pejorative term for random or ignorant dog breeding conducted on a small scale), and ‘puppy mills’ or ‘puppy farms’ (larger businesses). It must be pointed out, however, that many excellent dog breeders run small-scale programs in their homes, barns, or back yards, and there are profitable large-scale operations run with knowledgeable staff and superlative veterinary care, so size and motive alone are not indicative of the quality of the dog breeding program. |
Registries
The birth of a litter of purebred puppies is recorded on a dog breed registry maintained by an all-breed kennel club or a breed club. Such registries are not the exclusive province of show dogs, as is sometimes thought; the clubs of working dogs also maintain records of their dogs’ lineage.
Requirements for the dog breeding of registered purebreds vary from club to club. Most dog breed clubs allow for any registered puppy to be bred from once it reaches a suitable age. Some clubs maintain an adjunct or limited register, for puppies of purebred parents not deemed to have the qualities for showing or dog breeding, or who exhibit a fault. A few clubs, such as the Swiss breed club of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America and the Mini Foxie Club of Australia, Inc. have additional, strict requirements for the certification of adult dogs before breeding.
Before dog breeding a purebred dog, health checks are needed, such as joint x-rays, hip certifications, and eye checks. The certifications needed vary from breed to breed and stud owner to stud owner. Some stud owners will not permit their stud to breed with a bitch with hips of equal or lesser quality of the rating as FAIR. However, if your bitch is rated as FAIR, there is still hope, if her parents are both rated as good or excellent some stud owners will permit the breeding to proceed. |
Criticism
Many critics cite the beginning of dog breed registries that require dogs to be bred from only the same breed for registration purposes--as well as those organizations' control over dog breeding--for increasing the number of inbred dogs thereby increasing the number of genetic disorders. Other see the predominance of conformation dog breeding in the pet animal market as having a destructive effect on working dog breeds.
Dog breeding, and doing it right, is an expensive undertaking. By the time you've picked out a good bitch, waited for her to grow old enough (minimum age: two years before breeding), picked out the best dog to mate her with, gone through all the health checks she needs, ensured that the dog you want to use also passes the same health checks, you've invested a lot of time and effort. You still have to pay a stud fee (or give a puppy back), you have potential extra expenses during pregnancy, you have the time and expense of whelping (either you take time off from work or something goes wrong and you have to take her in to the vets). You need to keep the puppies for a minimum of 8 weeks before sending them to their homes; you need to advertise and find good homes for the puppies, you need to make sure they have had their shots before going. You may have possible vet bills if the puppies require extra attention. If some of the puppies die, or you have a smaller than usual litter, you may not get as much money from the sale of the puppies as you had though. There are even potential problems later on with dissatified customers! You are better off consulting with a financial wizard about investing the money you would otherwise spend and lose on dog breeding!
Breeders frequently count themselves lucky if they break even.
Dog Breeds Information / Find the Dog Breed Information of your favorite Dog
Dog Breeders Information / Find out how to choose the right Dog Breeder |
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