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LENDING A HELPING HAND:
What to say to the eager novice with a pet they want to breed.
By JP Yousha: CHROMADANE

From time to time we all get caught by sincere and naive folks who are asking for information about breeding their pet(s). And that is just how it makes you feel-caught. It's hard to know how to answer their questions. You don't want to turn them off, but you feel like you need to explain to them there is more to breeding dogs than adoring your own pet and wanting another like him or her. You'd really like to walk away as there is almost no way to get them to listen long enough to have enough information to correct their misconceptions. You'd really like to stop them before they casually breed a litter that will likely end up causing a lot of regrets. You don't know what to do, or even how far your responsibility extends. The below is just one way to handle the situation. I feel we do have an obligation to talk to newcomers as much as they will let us. This is the sort of approach I use. I think it's personal and yet professional--friendly and yet firm. It's yours for the taking if you haven't yet found a handout that you really like. And you can personalize it to your breed if you like.

Typically these conversations start with something like: "Hi, I have a (fill in your breed) that I adore, and he is so wonderful, has such a great temperament and everyone tells me he is beautiful! He has his papers and everything and I'm hoping you'll help me, as I want to breed him. His name is...." And there you are. Stuck. What do you say that doesn't sound snobby to this nice person, but still helps to clue them in to the complexities of breeding responsibly? Well, the first thing to do is probably be very friendly, while at the same time clearly letting them know this is a serious thing to contemplate. My answer goes something like this:

"Hi (so-n-so)! There is a lot of information you are going to want to acquire before making this very BIG decision, and I've included a link below/will write down an address for you, that offers up a central location for the sort of information you will need to breed responsibly (given the parent club website). There are also places where you can talk to people online about how to breed, such as the "Discussion" page at (give a responsible breed website and/or a list address for a quality list). You might also consider buying the following books (give your favorite breed book and one on general canine care). More important than any written sort of reference however is getting directly involved in your breed! That's why the first thing you will likely want to do is to arrange for a couple of local breeders to see your dog (give out email/phone of helpful folks). You might try to make it to one of the local shows, as that is where a lot of reputable breeders and breed-quality dogs can be found (give the superintendent's address)."

"You are probably wondering why I am giving you info on (your breed) people and (your breed) clubs when all you asked is how to go about breeding your pet. Well, the first step to breeding responsibility is to get the opinions and help of experts, and although I am more than HAPPY to look at the dog's pedigree and photos, you'd get more info if you would bring him to be seen in person by a couple of folks who know the breed. So do contact them--breeding dogs is a social affair--each breeding affects the breed itself. And since all breedings are supposed to be done to better the breed--we all need to know what's going on with the breed then first--before we decide to breed the current dogs we have. Your best help is having some capable people in your area to talk to and to show your dog to, so start by making contact with the local folks."

"Now for specifics you will need:

"(1) You'll need to familiarize yourself with the breed standard, the Code of Ethics (and other basic breed documents), so see (give the address to parent website or the documents named). These documents are going to rule your life as a breeder. See the following sources for help understanding the health & genetics concerns with the breed (give a few simple articles on the basics)."

IF the person is asking specifically about breeding their DOG, then: "(2) You'll need to own a mature (adult) dog who is: (a) correctly made, in good physical health & of stable temperament, (b) veterinary checked as fertile, and has his health checks (list them). This will cost you (give an estimate for the minimum of health checks done). Might want to add (additional health checks, other preparatory services), if you want to attract good females, and are not planning on going out to purchase or lease for him a suitable female, which will costs you at least (list a reasonable estimate for a show-quality bitch). They both will also need to be brucellosis negative of course. I spend about (insert your costs) to get a dog ready for breeding, not including freezing semen, or any of the show/training/upbringing costs. That's an estimate just for the medical health checks. Like I said, expect it to cost at least (this minimal price). He'll also need to be (c) properly AKC registered with an appropriate pedigree (that means one that shows care and ability on the part of the breeders---hopefully has a lot of titles & health certificates to help document quality). Of course you'll have to be listed as the owner of the dog on all papers. Do make sure all the paperwork is properly done, as after the breeding is done and once the pups are here, it is too late to fix anything."

"You will also need (3) proper paperwork to make your acts legal and limit your liability. This includes a stud contract, registration forms, the health certificates and other veterinary forms (on both parents!), and maybe a Stud Disclosure Act (to declare up-front the hereditary problems that might surface from his pedigree--this document helps you later protect yourself). AI (artificial insemination) paperwork is extra. You might also consider what you want done with any pups born with severe defects-and if the bitch owner will allow you any say so. (4) You'll have to have appropriate and experienced personnel available (say 2-3 minimum) to do the breeding itself. If a live cover (not an AI), a vet in attendance is not necessary--otherwise it is, and AI's require more fees and paperwork. If you own the bitch, then there is no liability issue, but of course she can still harm him (or be harmed) during the breeding. You'll need equipment (leashes, muzzle, etc.), and you'd preferably get an experienced bitch for your maiden dog the first time he is used, as otherwise (with two virgins and especially with breed newcomers as well) things may not go as planned. (Then you may not get a breeding at all, or they might be injured or end up as shy breeders). And by the way, you need to set a stud fee; most responsible bitch owners will NOT (in most cases) give the stud owner a pup. You must buy a pup using your stud fee as a down payment as a rule. Although arrangements can be made sometimes, it's not considered a regular practice between strangers to swap a pup for semen."

"(5) You'll obviously need a bitch. If your male is not considered superior as a breed specimen (however charming, adorable & nice he is!), he'll not attract decent quality females or the sort of responsible person you can be proud of being associated with. (We use fewer males so basically expect more out of them.) And you may not have any luck selling pups and, or you might even get calls from the local rescue if you don't deal with some good breed people, as the stud owner these days is expected to be responsible for the pups made and to even stay in touch with the pups their dog has produce. So you really need to hook up with some folks and some dogs that can help you find good & proper pup homes. Most bitch owners who are responsible want to breed to males who are show champions or otherwise titled. The breeding males at the very least need to be competitive, have their health checks, have a stable temperament, and have a credible pedigree. (A "good" or credible pedigree, by the way, doesn't necessarily mean "famous" names as much as dogs for whom information can be documented so a knowledgeable breeding can be done without dangers of things unknown so much popping up in the pups). If you don't think you can attract outside bitches & still want to consider breeding him, then you need to buy him a bitch that complements his virtues and faults. And by faults I am not saying he isn't a perfect pet, but all dogs have deviations from the breed ideal. You need to know where his strengths and weaknesses lay. For this you'll have to have help as a newcomer, as you must start by seeing how he stacks up to the standard for the breed. Oh-you also have to know that if you use him at stud, he may not want to be your pet anymore. He may change in temperament afterwards, may get very much more aggressive (especially with other dogs), pee in your house, roam/stray, and/or just generally think about nothing but sex 24/7. So you may just lose that lovely temperament you are so fond of--it's always a risk--just like he may get an infection or an injury from being bred--that risk is always there too. It's a lot to think about!

IF the person is asking specifically about breeding their BITCH, then: "(2) You'll need to own a mature (adult) bitch who is: (a) correctly made, in good physical health & of stable temperament, (b) veterinary checked as fertile, and has her health checks (list them). This will cost you (give an estimate for the minimum of health checks done). Might want to add (additional health checks, other preparatory services), which some breeders advocate. They both will also need to be brucellosis negative of course. I spend about (insert your costs) to get a bitch ready for breeding, not including the stud fee, or any of the show/training/upbringing costs. That's an estimate just the medical health checks. Like I said, expect it to cost at least (insert minimal price). And with a bitch there is all the whelping at litter costs to consider. In our breed you can expect to therefore spend (insert a reasonable figure) before the pups are old enough to sell. Like I said, expect it to cost at least (insert minimal price). She'll also need to be (c) properly AKC registered with an appropriate pedigree (that means one that shows care and ability on the part of the breeders---hopefully has a lot of titles & health certificates to help document quality). Of course you'll have to be listed as the owner of the dog on all papers. Do make sure all the paperwork is properly done, as after the breeding is done and once the pups are here, it is too late to fix anything. Every person listed on the bitch's papers as an owner, for example, must sign off on the breeding."

"You will also need (3) proper paperwork to make your acts legal & limit your liability. This includes a puppy sales contract, registration forms, the health certificates and other veterinary forms (on both parents!), and you had better have a look at the stud contract before you sign it (to make sure you know what you are agreeing to). AI (artificial insemination) paperwork is extra. You will have to also consider what you want done with any pups born with severe defects. Also find out what your veterinarian's policy is on euthanizing newborns and whether they can help you with a difficult breeding or a difficult whelping while you are at it. (4) You'll have to have appropriate and experienced personnel available (say 2-3 minimum) to do the breeding itself. If a live cover (not an AI), a vet in attendance is not necessary--otherwise it is, and AI's require more fees and paperwork. If you own the dog (male), then there is no liability issue, but of course she can still harm him (or be harmed) during the breeding. If you don't own the male, be sure you understand what would happen if your bitch were to harm or infect him with something (you can be out a lot of money sometimes over these things). Don't forget bitches are expected to travel to the stud, so you need to plan to spend a few days nearby and available to the stud. You'll need equipment (leashes, muzzle, etc.), and you'd preferably get an experienced dog (male) for your maiden bitch the first time she is bred, as otherwise (with two virgins and especially with breed newcomers as well) things may not go as planned. (Then you may not get a breeding at all, or they might be injured or end up as shy breeders). And by the way, you need to save up for the stud fee; most responsible stud dog owners will NOT (in most cases) take a puppy as a stud fee. They might buy a pup using your stud fee after the litter is born, but usually not unless your bitch is something special to them."

"(5) You'll obviously need to get ready for a litter as well. For this reason alone you should be very careful in your selection of a stud. If your litter is not considered at least of average quality, you'll not have much luck finding responsible buyers for them. So the stud owner should ideally be "connected" and "in the breed," and be someone you can be proud of being associated with. Otherwise you may not have any luck selling pups. Selling pups is a whole new set of problems. You need all sorts of paperwork, from contracts to puppy packets, from papers to proof of health checks. You need a list of folks who want to buy set up before you have puppies to sell so you can pick and choose good homes. If you don't have a waiting list, you may feel desperate as the pups get older and older and are still unsold. You may end up with not a lot of pick for homes or even stuck with having to give the pups to the local shelter. If you sell them to the wrong sort of stranger, you might even get calls from the local rescue. These days a breeder is expected to be responsible for the pups made and to even stay in touch with the pups they sold. The AKC also expects you to have good records of pups born, where sold to, etc. So you really need to hook up with some folks who can help you find good and proper pup homes and show you the ropes. To pick a stud dog for your bitch, you need to know what will complement her virtues and faults. And by faults I am not saying she isn't a perfect pet, but all dogs have deviations from the breed ideal. You need to know where his strengths and weaknesses lay. For this you'll have to have help as a newcomer, as you must start by seeing how he stacks up to the standard for the breed. You will also have to learn how to whelp her, what to buy for the litter, how much to save up (as you can expect expenses all along the way). You have to get all those whelping supplies in, from a whelping box to hemostats and iodine. Don't forget to check your fencing; you don't want to lose the babies by having them wander off or some predator getting in. You'll have to save up leave time at work too! And don't expect to do better than break even-you cannot make money making pups unless you cut corners on their care. You also have to know that if you breed your girl you may lose her. She may become ill and even die as a result of the breeding! You have to decide whether to do ultrasounds, blood pregnancy tests and/or X-rays. She could be infertile. The male may infect her. She could abort the litter, or get anemia, diabetes or kidney troubles. The pups may die, and it isn't unusual to lose one or two from congenital defects and newborn complications in the first week or so. She may have problems feeding or caring for her pups. Even if she doesn't there is still the month or so you must keep them with her after they begin to learn to eat, and that's both a messy and expensive month indeed. The whole process is pretty complicated and requires a sizable cash (and time!) outlay. And pups are not easy to deal with or even easy to sell these days. With high buyer expectations and so many "Puppy Lemon Laws" you are going to hear from your "unhappy customers" if something goes wrong with the dog they buy from you. It's so much cheaper and easier to buy a pup than breed your own. So it's a lot to think about!"

For either dog or bitch (or both), then add on something in closing like: "And that takes you back to getting in contact with some local breed folks. Show them the pedigree and the dog, and ask them tell you honestly whether it is worth all this time and money to have a litter? A puppy is cheaper to buy in so many ways! So much has to be learned to be a breeder, and so much can go wrong with breeding dogs, it's heartache to be sure! You may decide that this seems like all too much work. If you do so, I hope then you will then decide this isn't the time or place to breed, as to NOT do the above is to breed casually, and, of course, that is not a responsible act. All I can ask in closing is that you give the sort of love to the breed that you've obviously given to your cherished pet(s), and only breed *IF* you honestly feel you can take the steps (outlined above) to do it properly. Then, whatever you chose, the future of the breed will benefit from your actions! I hope this helps? Please let me know if I can be of further use to you. Sincerely yours (and sign your name)." And pray that it is read and that the folks on the other end take it to heart? Of course you'll have to truncate this spiel and just give out the "bullets" if you are talking face to face with someone. But then, if you wouldn't rather invite them home (or refer them to locals at a show) in these situations, you could make a couple of copies of your own version of this message and hand them out to folks who ask. It's a hard job, but if we don't do it, from whom will the newcomers learn about breeding?