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Many pet owners think it would be lovely to have a litter with their dog but it really is not a good idea for the sake of the individual dogs and the breed as a whole.
Breeding is a huge responsibility and should only be undertaken by those with experience of the breed, a knowledgeable mentor for support if you are a novice and the certainty that both dogs are fine examples of the breed as regards health, temperament and conformation. Although much of the work involved in raising the pups to the highest standards will fall to the bitch owner , there are important responsibilities for a stud dog owner and breeding should never be undertaken on a whim or without confidence that this mating is for the benefit of the breed. It certainly may affect the temperament of the stud dog.
The following are the minimum requirements for breeding with a stud dog ( taken from the Kennel Club website ):
Qualities required:
Fertility - you may want to have their fertility tested if they are not already proven
Appropriate temperament
Fully health tested
Good general health
Free of defects, i.e. overshot jaw, cryptorchidism
Has proven themselves in show ring, working trials, agility etc.
Registered with The Kennel Club
Does not carry any Kennel Club endorsements precluding the registration of any progeny
Before breeding from a dog or bitch, we advise that breeders investigate whether there are any possible inherited conditions that may affect the breed. A stud dog can father many puppies and so it is essential that they are healthy and fully health tested to reduce the risk of passing on any health issues on to future generations. Stud dog owners can check which health tests are applicable to their breed by referring to our Breeds A to Z, or by checking with their local breed club. It is advisable to speak to your dog’s breeder prior to mating to see if there are any health concerns in your dog’s pedigree.
There are several health schemes currently in operation to assist in the prevention or control of some diseases. These tests include DNA tests which give a definitive answer on the status of each dog. Where these schemes exist, we strongly recommend that both sire and dam are tested. In the case of a DNA test, we recommend that at least one parent should have tested clear for the particular condition. Read further breeding advice on mating DNA tested dogs.
Inbreeding, put simply, is the mating of related individuals – those individuals with common ancestors. High levels of inbreeding can impact the health of individual dogs, as it increases the chances of a dog being at risk for both known and unknown inherited disorders. It could also have an impact on the breed as a whole, e.g. a reduction in litter size and fertility.
Online Inbreeding Coefficient calculators can also be used to help you easily avoid mating two related individuals together.
Dogs have different dispositions and personalities and when choosing two dogs to mate together, both should both have a good temperament. The temperament of the potential parents will be a good guide to predicting the temperament of any potential puppies. If a dog shows any suspect temperament, such as aggression, then it should not be bred from.
Before the mating occurs, it is important that a detailed written stud dog contract is agreed upon and signed to prevent any future confusion. Ensure that a copy of your signed contracts are filed away in a safe place.
The terms and conditions of a mating do not fall within the jurisdiction of The Kennel Club. It is therefore advisable that any breeding terms or stud fees should be arranged by mutual agreement in writing between the owner of the dog and the owner of the bitch before the mating takes place.
A general guide to creating a stud contract may be found in The Kennel Club Assured Breeders section.
You will also need to ensure that your dog’s Kennel Club registration does not carry any breeding restrictions or endorsements. If there are any, before any mating occurs, you will need to discuss this further with the person from whom you obtained the dog, as any breeding restrictions or endorsements will need to be removed before the registration of a litter can take place. In most cases it will be the breeder who has placed the restriction, and they will therefore be the person empowered to remove it.
As the owner there are some key roles you should play in making sure the mating goes smoothly, including:
providing a stud dog contract
supervising the actual mating
knowing how to handle the bitch to ensure mating
ensuring the dogs are safe after they tie and that neither dog is hurt or injured
assisting or advising if the bitch shows little interest in mating
being available to give advice to the owner of the bitch on whelping or puppy care
being willing to help with any problems with the puppies, i.e. health issues, rehoming etc.
Using your dog on a bitch that is not well matched may have an impact on the puppies produced and your dog’s reputation.
It is your responsibility to ensure that a mating between the two dogs is justified and that a mating will be beneficial to the breed.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-br ... g-at-stud/
Enjoy life with your boy as a pet and don’t risk affecting his temperament or behaviour by using him at stud.
