So You Want to Breed Your Dog?

By Rebekah Wright

The decision to breed your dog is not one to take lightly as there are many considerations. Your dog will need to get the proper health checks depending on their breed. Dogs usually require; CERF certification (Canine Eye Registration Foundation), OFA testing, Brucellosis (See Below) testing. Your dog needs to be in excellent health, fed a high quality diet (something that you cannot buy in a human grocery type store), and at least 2 years of age. People who breed before 2 years of age are doing a real disservice to their dog that has not stopped growing.

Once the mating is over with the costs continue to rise. Your Dam must be vet checked a few days before the puppies are born which will include radiographs (x-rays) or ultrasound to get an idea of the number of puppies. Supplies for the whelping (puppies being born) including; whelping box, thermometer, hemostats, clean towels and washcloths, puppy pads, ounce scale, something to be able to ID the puppies with (we use nail polish on one toe), and a heating pad. You will go through a lot of puppy pads while the puppies are being born and on a daily basis until they leave your home. Puppies are very messy.

Once the puppies are born the costs will rise once again. Your Dam’s eating habits which have probably already doubled since getting pregnant will now double to triple again. She is now nursing puppies which take a tremendous amount of energy from the Dam. Puppies will need to see the vet in 3 days to be checked out and have their dew claws removed. If something were to happen to mom, guess what? You are now responsible for buying expensive formula, mixing it, and feeding puppies every two hours 24 hours a day. I’ve done this and it is hard work never getting no more than 2 hours of sleep. But you brought them into this world; you have to keep them alive and well. Once puppies are weaned you now have to buy food for them also and once again make it up and feed them throughout the day. At 7-8 weeks of age puppies and mom have to go back to the vet for a vet check, deworming, and first set of vaccines. If any of the puppies are flying to their new destination you also have to get a health certificate.So now your puppies are leaving your home to go to their forever homes. It is your responsibility to interview a potential home. I NEVER want to see a puppy I bring into this world end up in a shelter or rescue. So it is important to make sure people know what they are getting themselves into, the time and expense involved.  It's not easy raising a dog and very expensive.  Once these puppies go to their new home you now are connected to them for life. Any reputable breeder will take back their puppies if the home doesn’t work out. My contract states that owners are never allowed to rehome the puppy but that it must always come back to me. Once again, I am responsible for their life and if they end up in an inappropriate home????
The decision to breed your dog is not one to take lightly. As you can see there are a lot of considerations. You won’t make money breeding, if you do it the right and ethical way.  

 














 Now, after considering all of this, if you are still interested in breeding your dog I’m there for you. I offer Sire or Dam Finding Assistance, Breeding Assistance, Whelping Assistance, and Document Writing Assistance.  To find out more about my services please visit: Highland Springs Pet Services Breeding Assistance page and scroll about half way down.  Give me a call and we can discuss the details. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
* Disclaimers: I am not a vet nor do I claim to be but I do have experience in this area. I will not give medical diagnosis or prognosis and will always recommend a visit to your vet.  For document assistance I am not a lawyer. I have written documents for my own business and I have spoken with and gotten advice from fellow pet business owners and breeders. 
 

What is Brucellosis?

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1556&aid=404

Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella canis, which is a bacteria that can infect bitches and their fetuses. It seems that over the years much has been written on brucellosis in breeding dogs, but despite it all, infection rates may run as high as 8-10%. That is right, it is suspected that one in ten dogs in this country may carry Brucella canis.
Medical advancements in controlling this disease have been few and far between. Contrary to some opinions, it is a very difficult disorder to treat, and in most cases, treatment is unsuccessful. A prevalent attitude among many people is that "if my dogs get it, then I will treat it." This is a serious mistake because you probably will not cure it, and if you do, the individual will probably be sterile or be a poor breeding specimen.
Transmission of Brucella canis
B. canis is sexually transmitted by the mating of infected males and females. Brucella canis in the female dog will live in the vaginal and uterine tissue and secretions for years, and except in rare cases, for life. The infected female usually appears healthy with no signs of disease or indication that she is a 'carrier' or harborer of the organisms. She can spread the bacteria to other animals through her urine, aborted fetuses, or most commonly through the act of breeding. Once pregnant, the bacteria will also infect the developing fetuses causing illness.
In males, the Brucella bacteria live in the testicles and seminal fluids. An infected male is just as dangerous as the female as he can spread the Brucella bacteria via his urine or semen. Oftentimes, there are no signs except in advanced cases when the testicles may be uneven in size.
Litters are commonly aborted, usually in the last two weeks of gestation, or the puppies may die shortly after birth. If a pregnant dog aborts after 45 days of gestation, you should be highly suspicious of brucellosis. Usually, the fetuses are partially decayed and accompanied by a gray to green vaginal discharge. This discharge can have very high numbers of Brucella canis. If embryos die early, they may be reabsorbed and the female may never appear to be pregnant at all.
Click on the link above for more information including:

• What are the risks?
  
• Testing
  
• Prevention
  
• Treatment
  
• Human health hazards