Important Things to Consider When Making the Decision to Breed A Dog

There are many reasons people choose to breed dogs. Some simply love the idea of contributing to their favorite species by providing healthy purebred litters. Others may love their dog and take comfort in the idea that his or her genes will live on in other puppies. However, when it comes to dog breeding, there are some who do so under mistaken assumptions.

For example, some try to breed dogs for money. While dog breeding is certainly a lucrative business for many, it can also be rather arduous, especially for those just starting out. What many don’t realize when they decide to breed dogs for a living is that they must oversee that a variety of important health requirements are met even before the breeding begins. This involves researching the dog’s breeding line for hereditary illnesses or conditions as well as appearance. This in itself, as you can imagine, is a very expensive process.

This also means that your dog may not be eligible for breeding. If the dog happens to have problems common to its breed, such as hip or joint problems, eye problems, breathing issues, and so on, a breeding judge may disqualify the dog for breeding purposes, lest these problems end up passed down to the puppies.

If your dog proves healthy and has a sound breeding history, there is also the issue of the actual breeding process to worry about. Those who breed dogs often have to pay expensive stud fees to allow their dogs access to eligible males. These can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the male’s health and lineage. For this reason, many dog breeders must struggle to find an ideal mate. In addition to a stud fee, many who offer their males for dog breeding also require their choice of a puppy from the resulting litter.

Of course, if your dog is qualified for breeding, this does not mean that the birth will go well or that the puppies will necessarily turn out 100% healthy. There are a variety of problems and illnesses that may occur during gestation, the birth itself, or during the first few weeks of life that may cost you considerably in vet visits and medication for both your dog and the new litter.

This is not to say that breeding dogs is an impossible process. However, if you do decide to breed dogs, it should be through your love of the species and your desire to improve it. Those who do it solely for the money often find themselves disappointed, as the sheer amount of fees, medical bills, and supplies adds up to quite a lot indeed. However, the rewards of dog breeding are considered more than worth it. Learn more about how to breed dogs today.