THE SUBJECT OF BREEDING

Author: Marilyn Koyanagi
Published on: Sep 1, 1999

THE LOGICAL STEP?

The next series of articles deals with the fundamentals of breeding and the responsibility that goes hand in hand with the title of "Breeder". If you thought there was a lot to learn in showing dogs, "B-b-b-baby, you aint seen nuthin' yet!"


With conformation shows being the evaluation of breeding stock, it would follow that the next logical step after completing your dog's championship would be to breed. There are, however, many factors, other than titles, to be considered. You must know for a certainty that your dog has qualities that will benefit the breed.


CH. Serendipity's Eagle's Wings (Peter)

The first factor to be considered when contemplating breeding is your motivation. Do your reasons include any of the following:

• Your dog is a champion and has many champions in his pedigree.

The value of a championship is directly proportional to the quality and number of dogs defeated. Entries can be 'stacked' with inferior specimens in order to make points. Although a pedigree is important, the number of champion ancestors is not, in itself, an indication of quality.

• All of the puppies will be 'show dogs'.

While an entire litter may be 'showable', it is highly unlikely that every puppy will be exceptional. The responsible breeder keeps or places in 'show homes' only those that show signs of outstanding quality. The remainder are placed as companions under spay/neuter agreements. By allowing only superior specimens to be bred, the breeder protects the integrity of his/her breed.

• The breeder wants it to be bred.

A breeder should not expect pet owners to become involved in showing or breeding. This is too great of a commitment to force on someone who merely wants a companion.

• Your sister, brother, aunt, neighbor, etc. wants a puppy.

No breed is perfect for every lifestyle. It is your duty to determine the suitability of owners, even relatives.

• Your dog is very healthy.

The health of your dog is no guarantee that his offspring will be free from genetic problems. The breeder must test stock for known genetic defects and do everything possible to ensure a healthy future for puppies.

• You want a return on your initial investment and to recoup some of your show expenses.

Considering the costs of breeding, it should be obvious that there is little profit in raising a litter, particularly if a monetary value is put on time. No one gets rich by breeding - if they are doing it right.

• Dogs should be bred once before being spayed or neutered.

There is no benefit in breeding a dog before neutering or spaying and it may, in fact lead to problems. Males, after being used at stud, can develop marking tendencies or other unacceptable behavior. With females, there is always the risk of complications during and after whelping.

• You want another dog just like 'Fluffy'.

Breeding your dog is no guarantee that he will produce offspring identical to himself. No two dogs are exactly alike and two sets of genes are involved. Your best bet is to get another puppy from the same parents.

• It will be a good experience for the kids.

No female, dog or otherwise, wants or needs an audience when giving birth. A whelping bitch should be allowed as much privacy as possible, with experienced help on hand in case of problems. Complications during whelping can be terrifying for children. Will they understand the experience of deformed puppies, stillborns or possibly watching their beloved pet in distress or dying? Buy them a video!

• Having a litter would be fun.

Even one puppy can be a lot of work but what about 6 or more? What if they get sick or Mom is unable to nurse? Do you know how much 'clean up' is involved? Then there is weaning, socializing, grooming, early training and screening potential owners.

None of the reasons listed above are justification for breeding. Your one and only objective should be the betterment of your breed. Even if you have a long waiting list of guaranteed purchasers, you should be breeding only when you want something for your own purposes - to show, trial, work or use in a breeding program.

The responsible breeder does NOT breed for the pet market. There are more than enough pets in the world - our animal shelters are full of them.

Regardless of your reason for becoming a breeder, the welfare of your dogs must take priority over all else. If it is your decision to bring puppies into this world, you must be willing to take responsibility for them - for life.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST...

As he takes his first breath, you cradle the wet little creature in your hands. He is about half the size of a pound of butter, blind, deaf, helpless and totally dependent on you. This is the miracle that began a mere 63 days ago when you made the decision to create his life - and now the fate of this puppy literally rests in your hands.


Duckndog Labradors Reg'd

There is so much more to breeding dogs than simply putting a male and female together, having puppies and then selling them. It is a science, an art and a labor of love that carries with it enormous obligations - to your adult dogs, their offspring, the breed, to purchasers and to society.

Unlike most hobbies, breeding is not one that can be reserved for your spare time. Dogs and especially puppies require constant care and a breeder's work, like the responsibility, is never ending. Before you begin, you must be prepared for the realities.

Although education and experience are vital to success, there is no guarantee that the road will be a smooth one. Even the most conscientious breeders suffer tragedies - a home that proves disastrous, a promising beauty with bad hips, the loss of a loved companion or sometimes the death of an entire litter.

For some the simple joys are not worth the heartache. For others the rewards are infinite - the sight of plump, healthy puppies nursing contentedly, the joy of new owners, the satisfaction of longtime owners, a 'promising young hopeful', and friendships built on a common bond.

Becoming a responsible breeder requires extensive knowledge about dogs in general and your breed in particular. Some of this, you will have already gained from your involvement in showing. The remainder will take the rest of your life. The dedicated breeder has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and never stops learning.

Essential to raising healthy, well adjusted puppies is a solid foundation in general dog care. This knowledge will greatly benefit new owners and help in getting puppies off to a good start in their new homes. Puppy purchasers will see you as an expert and, should problems arise, they will inevitably turn to you for assistance.

Among other things, you will need to be a specialist in:

• Health Care
• Nutrition
• Behavior and Training

Your ability to answer owners' questions and offer sound advice will ensure the future well being of your puppies.

By furthering your knowledge of your own breed - its type, temperament, structure, movement, coat, gentics - you will learn how to recognize and breed for quality and to make breeding decisions. Detailed information about breed personality, health, lifestyle requirements and breed idiosyncrasies will enable you to choose the most suitable homes for pets.

Breeders, for the most part are self educated and must take advantage of every opportunity to increase their knowledge. The experience of other breeders will be your most valuable resource - especially your breeder and others in your breed.

• Talk to them, listen and learn.
• Attempt to find and study under the guidance of a mentor.
• Take notes and visit kennels.
• Get your hands on as many puppies as possible.
• Join your local and/or national breed club.
• Continue to attend dog shows and other dog events.
• Become involved in the working aspect of your breed.
• Attend seminars whenever they are offered.
• Subscribe to magazines and watch videos.
• Begin a reference library and read!

A wealth of information is available in books on every dog topic. Ask other breeders for their recommendations. Explore the internet. Print out pertinent material, study it and keep it on file for future reference.

An excellent source of information on everyday health care, emergencies, genetic problems and breeding issues will be your veterinarian. Choose your vet with care. Someone who is used to dealing with and has respect for breeders is preferable. It is essential that he/she be skilled, dependable, available for emergencies and have experience with whelping and c-sections. The relationship with your vet will be one of the most important you will develop in your life as a breeder.

Before you begin breeding, give serious thought to the commitment you are about to make. Breeding dogs can provide a great sense of accomplishment which, for many, far exceeds the excitement of the show ring. To the responsible breeder, it is more than a hobby - it is a passion that becomes a way of life. Dedicated to the welfare of their breeds, these individuals devote countless hours to rescue, public education and making the world a better place for all dogs. Willing to share their knowledge, they offer guidance to the serious new comer in the hopes that another responsible breeder will be developed.

In an article for the AKC, Sari B. Tietjen describes Responsible Breeders as follows:

• Responsible breeders never mate two dogs without being prepared to care for the resulting puppies for the rest of their lives.
• Responsible breeders are always there – through the joys of life and heartache of death.
• Responsible breeders are the backbone of their breed and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of dog lovers to enjoy.

Make this your goal! Choose to take responsibility for the lives you will be creating. When you are older and wiser, it will be your turn to 'give back' by showing another aspiring breeder the right way.

This puppy will forget her natural Mother but, even though years may pass, she will always remember the hands of the responsible breeder who brought her into the world, nurtured her and gave her a good start in life. This remembrance is one of a breeder's greatest rewards.

Mylea Reg'd Dobermans Michael and Lydia Dennison, Creston, B.C.