Not everyone is cut out to be a good dog breeder. If you're willing to invest the time to learn how to breed healthy puppies and have a strong commitment to your animals, dog breeding is a heart-warming experience. In fact, it's a lot of fun!
The joys of dog breeding are limitless - waiting for the big day as the puppies develop in the womb, witnessing their entry into the world, and nurturing them through their first six to eight weeks of life can be a tremendously rewarding experience. But to be a really good dog breeder, you must care about more than the financial "bottom line." You have to have genuine love and concern for the animals you've taken into your charge. The best dog breeders create happy, healthy puppies for truly loving homes.
There's more to breeding dogs than one small article can cover. You have to know the best time of year for breeding and how to provide the best environment for mating, birth, and early care. Good dog breeders need to understand more than the dogs under their care: they must be able to maintain a successful small business. Most of all, good dog breeders are willing to invest the time and effort necessary to learn all the ins and outs of breeding before they begin.
Your most important building block in breeding happy, healthy puppies is your female dog. She must be in heat before she can breed. Typically, this happens every six to seven months. However, even though she may go into heat while she's young, she may not be physically mature enough to carry, deliver, and care for her new babies. You should wait until your dog is physically mature before breeding her. For some breeds, this may be two or more years of age.
Your veterinarian can help you decide when the time is right for dog breeding. Vets know about your animal, and they know how to perform and interpret the necessary tests and physical exams. It's best to wait until your vet tells you your female dog is ready to breed. If you don't give her enough time, you could lose both mother and her puppies.
Even when your vet has given you the go-ahead, you'll have to find the appropriate male to mate with your little lady. Be sure the dog you choose for her is healthy, and verify with his owner that he is of a pure bloodline, particularly if you want to register your puppies.
Mating usually works best when you bring your female to the male because the male needs to be comfortable to perform his task. That usually happens in his own territory.
Most female dogs aren't fertile until they've been in heat about ten days, and they remain fertile for about four days. Fertility periods vary, so consult your vet to identify the most favorable times for mating. You'll also have to go through some trial and error to learn what works for your female dog.
Mating is only the beginning of a successful dog breeder's work. You'll have to be a dedicated nurse, mid-wife, and nanny for your dog and her puppies. And good dog breeders are very careful to find warm, loving homes for their precious ones. You can find lots of good advice and personal contacts to help you succeed through your vet, other breeders and, of course, through Internet websites dedicated to dog breeding.
