A question for peeps who know dogs

[MissMissy]

how many times should you breed a dog.. and it still be healthy.. like my mom said.. to someone not to over breed? ok well whats over breedding Anyone know the answer

 

[BeneBaby]

Honestly Missy I don't believe in regular people breeding dogs. There is a lot involved in the care of a pregnant dog and pups. You will need to get them all vaccinated, vet checkups etc it gets VERY expensive. I am not sure if you have had experience with this before. Not only is it expensive, but you are putting more dogs out there when our rescues and shelters are overflowing. I have one purebred Pug that was a gift from my BF. She came from a breeder. But I would never again purchase and animal when there are so many wonderful pets in need.

Sorry if this seems rantlike...it's not at all. Of course you are entilted to do as you wish with your pets, this is just my opinion.

 

[Saje]

Breeding involves not just a lot of care for pups but knowledge of the traits and standards and illnesses associated with that breed. Not every cute, loving dog means it should be breeded.

I suggest you find the organization of the breed of dog (American Kennel Club - akc.org will have the specific breed organization website) and ask from there as different types of dogs will have different answers. (Some will say every other heat cycle while others will say every two)

 

[Zoey]

I agree with Amanda and Saje, you really need to know your dogs pedigree well so you can choose the right dog to breed with,thats for the combination of good looking pups(since thats one part of breeding dogs),next you need to have a lot of checkups done for the illnesses that run in the breed,and make sure both dogs are completely healthy,that way you minimize the chance of pups beeing sick. This alone takes a lot of knowledge,and i lot of dedication,there is no point in breeding for the sake of breeding.

If you really want to dedicate your time to breeding dogs,you need to read many many many books and if possible get some advice from an experienced breeder.

Taking care of mom in pregnancy and lactating mom and her pups,is very very very hard,takes a lot of time(basically you need to be with then 24/7 if you wanna do it properly) and it involves feeding as well as socializing,which is a hard work.

I am sorry if this sounds a bit harsh,but i can say you are not ready for this,at least knowledgewise if you are asking this and on top of it on makeup forum.

 

[MissMissy]

ok thank you ladies for your comments. yes i know what im doing.. i have had experience in this ALOT of it.. i have just been the bi stander though.. its never been my dog being bred.. its always some ones else im takin care of.. so that is why i am getting every bit of detail i need before ei decide to breed. i do agree that the kennels are over flowing.. my dogs are not just for money i am doing it cause where i live there are alot of people asking for the type of breed. its in "high demand" right now. and it is something i have longed to do on my own. thanks again ladies. missy

 

[BeneBaby]

If you are very experienced in this than why would you ask?

I am just very weary of people doing this. I have seen many pups come out with genetic disorders and breed specific problems. My Grandmother bred and raised Afghans, it was a FULL time job. The pups that didn't come out perfect were often returned only to be turned over to shelters or rescues. This is a subject that I am very passionate about. I suggest you look to books or experienced breeders to ask questions.

When you say..."High Demand" you mean that many people want this type of dog. In my opinion you are feeding into the idea that pets are trends. As you stated you aren't in it for $$$, good thing because breeders don't make any. With the costs that go into breeding and caring for mother and pups....there is no profit. Most professional breeders do it to help eliminate the genetic diseases caused by irresponsible breeding and for love of the breed.

 

[MamaRocks]

My husband's family has been breeding dogs for over 30 years. I would say more than once a year is too hard on the Dam =)

Thanks for beign so passionate Benebaby. It rare that you find someone who really understands the complexities of breeding dogs =)

 

[Zoey]

Great post Amanda, i agree 100% with you!

I had a dog (he stayed with my ex when we broke up,Mango came with me) and he has a genetic disorder of heart valve,that can not be operated at all (dogs and new or replacement valves dont go well together) and he has epilepsy aswell,all that from wrong breeding and not testing the dogs.

This is one of a few topics that really make me jump up from the chair.

 

[Saje]

I totally agree with Benebaby.

Most breeders will usually take an apprentice for breeding and it is not a profitable practice at all. If you say you are breeding because of the demand then you are breeding for profit.

Professional breeders are usually registered with the breeds organization and only breed for the betterment of the breed.

If you want to breed professionally, you not only need FULL REGISTRATION with one of the kennel clubs (AKC is the prefered but there are others) but if you only have a dam then you would also have to purchase the services of a sire. If you do have both sire and dam, do you know their family tree (if they are registered with a kennel club then they will have a family tree/pedigree) and what congenital defects run in that pedigree?

When the puppies are born, are you raising them under foot, which is the preferred method of reputable breeders?

These are things you need to know BEFORE you breed your dog. And if you do decide to breed then you need to consider the costs of vet care, the shots, the registration, the medicines, the potential illnesses, the potential for a c-section/surgery, the potential death of puppies or your pet, etc etc etc.

Please, I beg you, to truly consider ALL of this and more before you decide to breed, as it really seems that you say you have experience in breeding but yet you are asking these questions which should already be known to someone who has been around reputable breeding - and if you really are aware of the plethora of dogs in shelters and pounds, then do not backyard breed.

 

[bella1342]

Wow... All of you have made awesome points. Thanks for your posts too... If I ever get another dog, I definitely want to rescue one instead of buy. There ARE too many dogs already in need.

 

[-Liz-]

i know absolutly nothing about breeding of anykind( well except my own that wont happen for awhile lol) but im glad i read all these posts it has opened my eyes to alot and if i ever get a dog, i will definitly check a shelter first!!! thanks girls

 

[Shelley]

I agree with BeneBaby, Saje and Zoey.