Should I breed my dog? Before a dog owner breeds their bitch they must thoroughly examine their reasons for wanting to breed this animal. That includes all their motives, attitudes and knowledge.
A breeder is responsible for the health and welfare of their bitch before, during and after whelping. They are responsible for the health and welfare of the puppies from the time of breeding takes place until the puppies are settled in their new environment. They are also responsible to society for their dogs, as the general public can be very affected by social problems due to dog over-population and irresponsible pet owners. Educating new owners will help to insure that their puppies will be reared by a responsible owner whose dog is an asset rather than a detriment to society.
A breeder must also have the ability and be prepared to provide a home for ANY puppies that they have produced should the owners fall short of that duty. No puppy asks to come into this world and ultimately you as the breeder MUST be responsible for them. Being a breeder is never to be taken lightly as it is an ongoing, lifetime responsibility.Should the bitch be bred at all?
She must be critically examined as to her quality both genetically as well as conforming to the written breed standard. Will she contribute positively to her breed or just produce more mediocre puppies? Personal feelings MUST be put aside as the bitch is evaluated.Breeding a bitch to "make money" or to get back your purchase price are two of the poorest reasons for breeding. This is NOT a money making venture. Breeding dogs is a labor of love for the dog in general and the breed chosen in particular.
There are some wonderful benefits of dog breeding. The mother love that is seen in the whelping box, puppy breath, puppy kisses, puppy play, and the magnificent adults that come from your breeding program are the most obvious examples of the joy of breeding. For many breeders, seeing the love and the joy that a "quality" puppy gives a person or a family helps to ease the concern of placing puppies into new homes.
Dogs have given many breeders personal growth, companionship, and enjoyment. Add to that the benefit of making new and special friends through puppy placements and participating in dog sports. This makes the all-night vigils easier to bear for the breeder.
Dog breeding does have its down side as well. It is not a completely smooth road. Heartbreaking decisions (i.e.: euthanasia of a young dog or that "special friend") must be made and lived through. Disappointments in getting a bitch pregnant occur. Difficulties during the whelping itself. C-sections are always possible and are hard on the budget and the heart. You also run the risk of losing puppies or worse yet the bitch. There could be disappointment in the way a promising puppy matures for the show ring or in the manner in which the puppy is being cared for by its new owners. Occasionally, unreasonable owners must be dealt with, which can be VERY upsetting.
A "puppy producer" is interested in their wallet more than their dogs. A true "responsible" breeder never feels this way.
If the owner has no intention of breeding their dog or has the wrong motivations, the dog should be spayed/neutered. We must not give our dogs human qualities. They do not need to reproduce in order to feel "fulfilled". The benefits of spay/neuter strongly outweigh any perceived negative effects.
BENEFITS OF SPAYING A BITCH
No messy heat cycles two to three times a year when she MUST be confined for at least three (3) weeks at a time.No stray males on your doorstep or breaking into your "secure" yard which can result in an accidental breeding with resulting unwanted puppies. No false pregnancies which could lead to a life threatening uterine infection.
The possibility of mammary cancer is GREATLY reduced if the bitch is spayed BEFORE her first cycle. As with a woman this is a terrible and often fatal cancer in dogs.
The bitch will not shed out her entire coat several times a year with her heat cycles.
BENEFITS OF NEUTERING A MALE
Removes any preoccupation with breeding and hormonal drives.Will decrease roaming, aggression, pack status and dominance behavior.
Decreases the incidence of testicular cancer and prostate problems especially in males with one or more undesended testicles.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPAYING/NEUTERING
Dogs will get fat and lazy:
With proper diet and exercise this will not happen. Out of a sense of guilt, owners often fall into the trap of overfeeding their dogs food and or treats.Breeding will calm the bitch/dog:
WRONG!! Rearing a family in NOT relaxing for any bitch. Some males will become more aggressive and unmanageable after being used at stud. "Marking" (lifting their leg and urinating on objects) may become a BIG problem. Housetraining often goes out the window when a dog is used at stud.The bitch needs to have a family;
WRONG!! Motherhood is hard on the bitches mentally, physically and emotionally.The SPCA will place the pups that don't sell:
It is more common for the pups to be euthanized (put to sleep) rather than placed in new homes.Spayed and neutered dogs live happy and fulfilled lives!
CONTROLLED BREEDINGWith the increase of anti-dog legislation, increased human as well as dog populations, many breeders are now practicing "Controlled Breeding". Breeders plan the breedings and carefully select for correctness of structure, breed type, temperament, and good health. Before a breeder uses an animal all the necessary health checks are done. The resulting litter is then carefully evaluated with only the best puppies being designated for future breeding. A "responsible" breeder will take advantage of their kennel clubs Non-Breeding Agreement form for the puppies that are sold as companions/pets. They will also require that a legal contract between the purchaser and themselves be signed and honored.
Controlled breeding may seem to be self-serving as it may reduce the number of puppies available, but this practice helps eliminate or at least slow the deterioration of the breed quality. It also helps maintain the overall quality of pure bred dogs. The concerned breeder must always be aware of their responsibility to their dogs, their puppy purchasers and to society. Indiscriminate breeding adds to the on-going problems of irresponsible owners or unwanted/abandoned animals.
Breeding fewer, but higher quality dogs, placing puppies carefully, educating new owners and knowing where our pups are, is the focus of concerned responsible breeders. The controlled breeding practice helps ensure the new owner will have an ideal companion for a long time.
DON'T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!
10 Reasons to Breed your Dachshund
by Cherri Thomson
Blackloch Reg. St. Smooth DachshundsYour dog is a top quality representative of the breed that will add
valuable traits to the Dachshund breed in future generations. He or
she has been shown in conformation/field or obedience with
success. The virtues of your Dachshund far outweigh the flaws and any
conformation faults are minor in nature and pose no risk to a
healthy life. Your dog has no disqualifying faults. Your dog fits the
written AKC or CKC standard for the breed as closely as possible,
including SIZE!Your dog has a wonderful, friendly, happy disposition in all
circumstances. Your dog loves everyone and everything, is trainable
and obedient (as much as any Dachshund can be)Your dog has been tested for Brucellosis, PRA and vWD, thyroid
dysfunction and cleared all those tests. Your dog's family back
ground is free of major health problems. His or her parents live long
and healthy lives, without serious disc disease. To the best of your
knowledge, your dog's siblings are also healthy and sound in mind and
body.Your female is at least 2 years of age and has had at least one heat
cycle before breeding. You are prepared to give your dog a rest of
one year between each breeding and do not plan on breeding past the
age of 6 or 7, depending on the overall health and vitality of your
dog.Your male dog is superior in pedigree, conformation, tempermament and
health. He is fully capable of producing literally hundreds of
offspring that can influence the breed for generations to come. If he
has a major flaw of any kind, he should never ever be reproduced.
Like stallions in the horse world, only the best stud dogs should ever
be used to add to the gene pool. The rest should be neutered!You have a reason for breeding this litter besides producing puppies
to sell. Ie. you plan to keep a puppy yourself, or you have a waiting
list of at least 1 or 2 or more who want a puppy and have confirmed
this with a deposit or at least frequent contact to see when the puppy
will be born. This doesn't mean your neighbour or your auntie who oohs
and aahs over *Missy* and say they would like one just like her
someday. Believe me, when someday comes, they will have a zillion
excuses why now isn't someday!You have the financial where with all to send your female to the most
suitable stud dog that will enhance her attributes and improve the
breed while doing so. You are also financially prepared for the
possibility things may not go as planned and problems can arise. The
vet bills can be staggering when things go wrong. (a recent breeding
I have first hand knowledge of, since I fostered the orphans when mom
died on the table during a C-section, cost the owner over $1500 in vet
bills and formula costs)You can stay home and care for your dog and the puppies during the
whelping and raising period. You have the time and energy to spend
training, socializing and caring for the puppies. You have the time
and energy to clean up the puppy pen 4 to 6 times a day for many weeks
on end. NO breaks for holidays or weekends and working full time
outside of the home would make this job done right almost
impossible. You like spending hours and hours on the phone talking to
people inquiring about your puppies, or coming to visit the puppies
and mom.You are prepared to keep the puppies for as long as it takes to find
them all perfect homes. You will have the money, time and energy to
feed, properly train, house, and socialize puppies of an older age
that have not yet been placed in perfect homes.You are prepared to guarantee the health of these puppies for a
minimal time of 2 years against hereditary defects. If a puppy should
fall victim of hereditary defects, you are prepared to either refund
the purchase price and take the puppy back, or pay the vet bills it
will take to allow the dog to live as normal a life as possible. If
a purchaser should no longer be able to keep the puppy, you will take
it back, anytime, anywhere, without hesitation.