How to Become a Dog Breeder

If you've fallen in love with a particular breed of dog and you have the space, money and time, becoming a breeder may be a way for you to further develop your interest. But before you quit your day job, take a look at the following steps. Breeding dogs may not be a road to riches; but it can be a fulfilling activity if done right and with good intentions. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide if you want to keep the males, females or both. Each avenue has its advantages; sire owners don't have to care for mothers and puppies and won't incur the expense that comes with them; dam owners get to watch the birth of the puppies and care for them until they have found new homes. Owners of both sires and dams that can be bred together don't need to coordinate contracts, heat cycles and semen shipping.

2. Memorize the "Breed Standard" for your chosen breed. It should be as familiar to you as the ABCs. Go to dog shows and study the dogs who do well, and talk to the judges and find out what they're looking for.

3. Buy your breeding stock. The dog, or dogs, you choose to breed should be as close to the "Breed Standard" as you can afford to buy. If you buy mature dogs who have already won titles and have had all the required health tests, go on to Step 5. If you buy a puppy, continue to Step 4.

4. Show your breeding dogs. Collect as many titles as you can while you're waiting for the dogs to mature. Many people buy only from breeders who show their breeding stock. Your pup will be worth more if its parents are champions, and you'll get a better feel for what kind of mate will complement your dog through shows. Have your all of your pup's health certificates done in the 2 years before you breed while you're rounding the show circuit.

5. Select a mate that compliments your dog. If your bitch is on the tall end of the breed standard, select a breeding partner that is more average in height. If your dog has large feet, select a mate with small ones. Always be sure that all dogs are even tempered. Mates for dogs are advertised on the Internet and in dog magazines and newsletters.

6. Set the terms of the mating by means of a written contract. This should include a clause that explains what will happen if the bitch doesn't conceive the first time and what fees or pups are due to the owner of the sire.

7. Start checking your bitch's progesterone levels as soon as she shows any sign of coming into heat. She will need to be bred as soon as her hormone levels surge, indicating ovulation. Be sure the sire's owners are ready to ship the semen at a moment's notice.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep semen collection kits from the lab on hand if you own a stud.

Resources

• Dog breeder listings.
• Dog breeder directory.

[Fennec]

on 5/3/2008 Unfortunately, this "How to..." doesn't list anything about the certifications requited by the USDA and APHIS organizations under the Dog Breeders and the Animal Welfare Act. Disregarding the technical problems not addressed by the "How to..." the rest is generally correct as far as actual breeder affairs should go.

Furthermore,
"Breeding pedigreed cats is not about winning rosettes, it is not about titles, and it is not about making money. Rather, it is essentially about preservation, protection and advancement of the breed you have selected to work with. Becoming a breeder for any other reason is an error. If you are willing to devote your time and efforts to achieving this goal, you can become a responsible breeder, a term of real respect within the cat fancy. And if you can become a responsible breeder, that will be your real reward." (Carolyn M. Vella - Jacat Cattery)

[Fennec]

on 5/3/2008 "Breeding pedigreed cats is not about winning rosettes, it is not about titles, and it is not about making money. Rather, it is essentially about preservation, protection and advancement of the breed you have selected to work with. Becoming a breeder for any other reason is an error. If you are willing to devote your time and efforts to achieving this goal, you can become a responsible breeder, a term of real respect within the cat fancy. And if you can become a responsible breeder, that will be your real reward." (Carolyn M. Vella - Jacat Cattery)

[kdccal]

on 1/29/2008 I want to learn more about the dogs I'm looking in to breeding. Is there any certain books or magazines that I can get to give me good information on the dogs and on getting started?

[diggitydogg]

on 12/24/2007 Or you don't have to become a dog breeder and help save some lives instead!

[melmkeshlear]

on 7/30/2007 If you want to become a legitament breeder you join a club. When a breeder joins a national breed club- the breeder has to sign a contract. The most important one states that "you will not turn in any of your dogs to a rescue organization" and "you will always take your dogs back and it will be rehomed by you ". Most purebred breeders who have signed this contract are very serious about these statements. And the club can kick you out if you dont follow the contract. Also if AKC checks your group of dogs and finds them to be living in unhealthy surroundings they can contact the Natl club and get you removed- so there are checks and balances on breeders in the National and local clubs. This is not true of breeders who do not belong to any club.AKC/CKC/APR these are not clubs, they are like a DMV-just for registration. Melk