Dog Breeding

Any reason why you want to breed as opposed to own?

Just warning you now - it can be expensive and heartbreaking at times and these days it is difficult to get a guaranteed home for life for every single puppy.
Only do it if you are prepared for the lows as well as the highs.

Sorry if I seem like a drama queen, and good luck, whatever you decide to to.
 
I don't recommend breeding dogs unless you have a purpose for it, for example you're starting you're own line of showing/working dogs, or you're continuing to improve the line. We (well my mum) shows, therefore breeds to keep what we've got in the ring. People do the same if they work their dogs in the field, some pedigrees produce stronger strains of good, natural working dogs than others.

Can't really recommend a breed either as you have to pick one that fits in with you personality, temperament, coat, general breed. For example I like a dog with a bit of spark and cheekyness - I have 3 Jack Russells and used to have German Wirehaired Pointers. Mum likes an easier going breed so we also have Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas. Also depends whether you're going to work or show the dog.

You need to do some research and pick a breed that's right for you then research further into that breed before going out and getting one.

I wouldn't recommend a pen as such. We have the JR litters in the house because they're only small but the HWV litters average at 9 puppies so we have converted a concrete sectional shed into a proper insulated and locked/alarmed puppy house, with the whelping box, heat lamp etc.

It's incredibly rewarding if you do it properly but it is extremely hard work, you get a big litter and you have hard work weaning, clearing up, finding exceptionally good, permanent homes. Not trying to put you off but it's not as easy as it may seem.

You then have to ask yourself if you're prepared to have puppies back if it doesn't work out in their new homes. It can happen, you think you've got all your pups sorted and you get that phone call "I need to part with the dog because..." "It's not working out, can we bring >>>> back?" - and that can happen at any age. Worse case scenario: are you prepared to keep the litter of 9 that you can't home? Ok so that's not an every day occurance but it is a possibility.

There's other important things too like:
* Has the bitch proved herself a worthy specimen of the breed? You don't want to be breeding from a badly put together bitch with a cronically bad temper
* Which stud dog compliments your bitch best and how do their pedigrees relate to eachother?

Then there's registering your litter (I think affix's are £70 to start and then it's £10 a pup), worming mum/pups, feed costs, stud fee. Money aside incase of emergency i.e bitch needs c-sec or you get an ill puppy or as has happened to us before, the whole litter's unwell.

If you're dead set on it I recommend you read Book of the Bitch by Kay White - it covers everything.

Good luck
 
Echodomino has pretty much covered everything!

Sorry if I was short yesterday - but I have a bee in my bonnet this week.
My friend's lovely pup (not a GSD) has just been diagnosed epileptic at just a year old.
His half brother by the same sire also has it. I have since been told that the dam's sister has a serious heart complaint.
And guess what? The sire's owner (in no way unsuccesful or a newbie) is only "thinking" about retiring him from stud.
And no one is even entertaining the idea of neutering any of the animals involved.

There is so, so, so much more to breeding than sticking a dog and a bitch together because they look nice and win stuff.

And breathe.
 
I too have to agree with everythign Hacking hack and Echodomino have said. A good breeder has been involved in their chosen breed for years, and breed litters to improve their lines . It should not be seen as either a money making venture or a fun hobby. Having a litter is great fun yes, but it is also incredibly hard work and finding the right homes is so difficult. So sorry to hear about your friend HH, shocking that the dog isn't being withdrawn from stud. I have seen a copy of the GSD Breed Council magazine recently (Mums obituary was in it), and I can't believe that people are still arguing about the same things they were 20 years ago! Seems nothing will ever change in the dog world.
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Agree with the other....breeding for the sake of breeding is not a good enough reason....there is vast expense to be considered...if u happen to get a bitch and she has problems whelping you are looking of a bill close to £1000 for a caesarean, although puppies are appealing and may sell, they also become older and boring and people may need to return as Echodomino mentioned could u take up to 3 adult dogs back as well as any ongoing litters you have at the time, as a responsible breeder you can not expect the rescues to deal with the aftermath, and believe me...just because they are pedigree don't think they won't end up in rescue, we get more than our fair share.
I you don't have a good enough reason i.e showing or experience/knowledge of a particular breed you are breeding to improve then leave it to the experts.
 
Echo all that is said above - whilst NOT saying this was your motivation, sadly so many people see dog breeding as a money making venture which simply is not the case
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im a breeder myself, KC registered etc etc

as what everyone else is saying hope your motives are not for the finacial side of it

ive had boxers for over 20 years and breed when we know we have people wanting pups and when we ourselves want a pup. we currently have two bitches, both live indoors and lead the life of riley. we do have a kennel they they use during the day if we are out but not permanently.

breeding is a very risky thing to do unless you know exactly what you are doing - I could rant for hours and hours but if you want to chat then feel free to pm and I'll help all I can

please note though, we have NEVER made any significant money on our pups - if you do thing properly you are lucky to break even.

plus - its time consuming and if you dont have any ideas about what type of dogs you want to breed then how do you knwo what attributes etc to look for - eg breeding quality dogs?

sorry if im sounding bitchy but ive been playing this game too long and seen too many backyard breeders too have much patience now!
 
We have just bred our first litter from our GWP, I have to say it is not something I will be running to do again.
It is incredibly hard work, demanding and expensive.
Everything costs a lot so if the motivation is money, forget it, you might make a bit but for the time, effort, worry and heartache I wouldn't recommend it. You need to consider your own nature too...if you are a worrying sort of person then don't do it! Our pups are 4 and a bit weeks and we haven't had a nights sleep since they were born.
I slept in a chair with them for the first week as I was terrified that they would die. Everything is risky, they can get sick so easily.
And homing them all isn't easy either, we have homes for 7 now but I worry myself sick that we may not find the right homes for the rest.
I think I've probably said enough but another perspective on what people are saying.
 
ummmmmmmmmmm, maybe not! It is not something one walks into with out any prior experience plus there are far toooooo many dogs for sale right now, ads in papers, leaflets through doors and even posters by the motor way!

We breed pedigree dogs and even though it is our life, we still only breed very few litters and it is time consuming, expensive and are puppies are booked two year in advance prior to being born!

I really would not advise you to do it due to the above reas0on plus many i just don't have time to type!
 
ditto all the above. I have bred three litters now. But no more now, my nerves simply won't take it. My bitches were of good temperament, lovely confirmation and excellent working ability and bred to working dogs with good temperament and stunning confirmation. BUT it is such a worry. It would be like someone saying, I've got a field, I may as well have a horse to put in it. It sounds so simple to say these things, but in reality, there is so much that could go wrong, these are living, breathing animals not money making schemes. The only people making a living out of it is the puppy farmers. Get a job at the local supermarket instead and get a dog to enjoy life with and to run around that large garden you have.
 
As well as the expense and time please consider the amount of dogs already being pts every day because there are too many dogs for the good homes available.
 
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Please note though, we have NEVER made any significant money on our pups - if you do thing properly you are lucky to break even.

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I was told by someone before (cannot remember who but it was someone at college) that what you make from selling the puppies tends to only just cover the costs of breeding. I have no experience of it first hand but can see how the cost of veterinary care, looking after the bitch and puppies etc... can be very significant.
 
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