Breeding purebred dogs is time consuming, expensive, and, occasionally, heartbreaking. If you go forward, your underlying purpose should be to improve the breed, not just to increase its numbers, and you must be prepared to accept full responsibility for the puppies from the moment they are born until the day they die.

Breeding a litter should begin with knowledge. Responsible breeders devote lifetimes to learning as much as they can about their breed, about canine health and training, and about American Kennel Club (AKC) rules. How can you become an expert?

Study your breed standard. This is the official version of the "perfect" breed specimen, and should be the starting place for any breeder. The AKC offers breed videos with real-life examples, and many parent clubs offer amplified, illustrated versions of their standards for more in-depth research. Going to dog shows can be very helpful.

The motto of the responsible breeder of purebred dogs is "Breed to Improve." Responsible breeders do not breed to make money, because they know they won't. Responsible breeders do not breed to show their kids the marvels of reproduction and birth-because they know that breeding can be a difficult, and sometimes heart-breaking, process. Responsible breeders do not breed their dog just to produce some cute puppies, because they know that each of those cute puppies will require many hours of care, and must be placed with a responsible owner who will continue that care even when the cuteness of puppy hood is over.

Responsible breeders do not breed unless they are convinced that their knowledge, experience, and devotion to their favorite breed will result in a mating that will produce an exceptional litter of puppies, with qualities that are as near as possible to the ideal for that breed. They breed to preserve and to enhance the characteristics that make their breed unique. In short, they breed to improve.

Examine your dog carefully. Recognize its flaws. If you decide to continue with the breeding process, look for a mate that will eliminate or balance those flaws.

Responsible breeders know that raising puppies is a full-time job. During the first couple of weeks the dam normally takes care of the puppies' needs, but complications, such as a dam with no milk or an orphaned litter, may arise. It is the breeder's responsibility to provide a safe, warm, dry place for the puppies and proper food and water for the dam.

Puppies are even more work (and more fun!) when they are weaned. The extra feeding, cleanup, grooming, training, and veterinary care you will need to provide adds up to a lot of hours, and not much free time for you.

Another factor that you must consider is the financial burden of having a litter of puppies. Breeding is not a profit-making activity. From the genetic screening and health tests before breeding, to the extra food, supplies, and medical care required after the puppies are born, the cost of whelping and raising puppies can be very high, especially if complications arise. These costs are rarely, if ever, recouped by the sale of the puppies.

Back to Reproduction

Next-Select the Breeding Pair, Breed to Improve, Understand the Commitment

References: Portions of this article were taken from this source

American Kennel Club. Responsible Breeding Steps. http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/index.cfm