Responsible Breeder

Breeding a litter of puppies can be very rewarding, but if you are new to dog breeding, you should remember that it can also be a costly and time consuming experience.

If you are contemplating dog breeding, there are certain questions that you will need to ask yourself before proceeding:

• Have I the time to devote to a litter until the puppies are old enough to go to their new homes, which is usually around eight weeks?
  
• Am I knowledgeable enough to advise new owners about the various aspects of caring for their puppies, including rearing, diet, training and health problems? Can I afford to pay for the recommended health tests for the bitch prior to mating her and, where necessary, her litter?
  
• Do I know enough to help the bitch during the whelping, if necessary?
  
• Can I afford to pay for a caesarean should the dam have difficulty whelping the litter?
  
• Could I cope with a very large litter of, say, 10 or 12 puppies?
  
• Do I have sufficient knowledge to rear the litter correctly, including on worming, vaccinations and socialisation?
  
• Would I be able to find good homes for the puppies?
  
• Am I in a position to take back or re-home any puppies if it becomes necessary?

If you have not been able to say yes to all of the above questions, then dog breeding may not be for you. You may therefore wish to consider having your bitch spayed to prevent unwanted or unplanned pregnancies; your breed club or the breeder of your bitch may be able to provide you with further expert advice.