Should I Breed From My Bitch?

Can I Afford the Costs and Do I Have the Time?

Breeding a litter and caring for the mother and her puppies is expensive and extremely time-consuming. You must have sufficient funds for the stud fee, health and eye testing, veterinary care, high-quality food, Kennel Club registration and essential equipment such as a whelping box, bedding, heating and a puppy pen.

If the litter is small or substantial veterinary treatment is required, you may make a financial loss. Breeding puppies responsibly is not an easy way to make money.

You may also need to keep puppies beyond eight weeks if suitable homes are not available. You must be prepared for the additional time and expense involved in feeding, caring for and vaccinating older puppies.

Do I Have Enough Time?

A mother with a newborn litter requires round-the-clock attention, particularly during the first few weeks. This may not be manageable if you work long hours or cannot arrange reliable help. Once the puppies are weaned, the workload increases considerably.

Raising a litter properly can be extremely rewarding, but it involves countless hours of feeding, cleaning, supervising and caring for the puppies.

Puppies also need careful socialisation. They should gradually experience normal household sounds, different surfaces and a variety of people, including children, under appropriate supervision.

Considerable time must be spent assessing prospective owners and ensuring every puppy goes to a suitable permanent home. This can be one of the most difficult parts of breeding, as not every enquiry will lead to the right home.

Could I Cope if Things Go Wrong?

Although many bitches have straightforward pregnancies and make excellent mothers, serious complications can occur.

An emergency caesarean section may be needed to deliver the puppies safely. In the worst circumstances, a breeder could lose the bitch, her puppies or both.

Other problems include the mother failing to produce enough milk or being unable to care for her puppies. Hand-rearing may then be necessary, with the puppies requiring feeding every two hours, day and night.

Can I Provide Lifelong Help and Advice?

A responsible breeder remains available to answer questions and provide guidance throughout each dog's life. This requires sound knowledge of puppy care, training, development and common health concerns.

You must also be prepared to take back, assist with or responsibly rehome any dog you have bred if its owner's circumstances change, regardless of the dog's age or whether the timing is convenient.

Responsible breeders do not simply pass this responsibility to breed rescue or a general rescue organisation. They must also respond honestly and constructively if a dog they have bred develops a suspected hereditary condition.

Breeders may also have legal responsibilities to puppy buyers. Written contracts, accurate health information and honest advertising are essential, and breeders should ensure they understand the current rules and consumer protections that apply.

Choosing a Suitable Stud Dog

If, after considering all of the above, you feel ready to accept the responsibility of breeding a litter, consult your bitch's breeder or another reputable and experienced breed specialist for advice about suitable stud dogs.

The most suitable stud dog will not necessarily live nearby, so you should be prepared to travel. The choice should be based on health, temperament, pedigree, breed type and how well the two dogs complement one another, rather than convenience alone.

Health Testing

Your bitch should undergo all health tests currently recommended for the breed. These may include testing for CEA, HD, DMS and DM, together with an eye examination by a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist and hip scoring.

Understanding the health and genetics of both parents helps reduce the risk of producing puppies affected by inherited conditions. It also reassures new owners that the health of their puppy has not been left to chance.

Learn as Much as Possible

Read and learn as much as possible before mating your bitch. The Book of the Bitch by Evans and White is a useful starting point and is available from booksellers and online suppliers.

The book covers many aspects of mating, pregnancy, whelping and raising a litter. It should be used alongside current veterinary advice and up-to-date breed-specific guidance.

Further study of canine breeding, genetics, welfare and puppy development can also help you prepare for the responsibilities involved.