Dog breeding can be a real hot topic, especially to the rescue crowd. You can expect to catch at least a little flack from some strangers, family, and friends. If you’re in it for the right reasons, their only complaint should be the production of more dogs and not the quality of your dogs or the care they receive.
The information I provide here is for potential breeders to find what they need to be a good breeder, and also for current breeders looking to improve their practices.
A Favorite Breed
Most every breeder has, or at least should have, a favorite breed of dog. If you don’t have one now, pick one. It will be very time consuming to learn everything you will need to know about multiple breeds. Spend time training, socializing, working or showing your dogs instead.
Breed Basics
You will need to remember what diseases are common in and hereditary to your breed, signs of hereditary diseases, how to choose good breeding stock, and what testing you need to provide for your foundation stock.
Other considerations include temperament, activity level, and grooming requirements. You will need to know this when placing a puppy in it’s new home. Don’t be afraid to turn someone away if the puppy is a poor fit for their family or current situation.
To Breed or Not To Breed
Good reasons to breed include a love for the breed, a desire to improve the breed, and sustaining a rare breed.
Every breed can be improved upon, whether it be in genetic structure or observable characteristics, such as coat and color. By learning genetics you can help eliminate abnormalities and defects while improving visible characteristics.
Bad reasons to breed include wanting your children to witness the miracle of life and so you can make money.
There are videos at the library as well as shows on PBS detailing the miracle of life. The bonus is both library rentals and PBS shows are free.
Trust me when I say, you will need some extra money in the bank. A litter of puppies can easily triple the cost of dog food, toys, and treats. C-sections, when needed, are not cheap.
Puppies chew everything from toys and shoes to walls and flooring. You can prevent most damage by investing in crates when puppies are old enough to be separated from their mother.
When done for the right reasons there’s not much profit, but the pay-off in quality is well worth it!
Be Up Front With Buyers
My best advice is to always be up front and honest with your policies. If you have a website, publish policies and contracts so there are no surprises when people show up.
Your pricing page should not only list a price or price range, but also deposit information. If you require a $300 deposit, say so. If it is non-refundable, say that also. Be sure to list acceptable payment methods and time frames as well.
Free Resources for Dog Breeders
These are contracts and guarantees I used when I bred Rottweilers. Feel free to copy and paste, or even easier, download an editable copy from the linked page. Enter your own name and kennel name and edit where necessary.
General Contract
Hip & Health Guarantee
No-Chain Policy
Pricing
If you don’t have Microsoft Office Home and Student
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