SO, YOU WANT TO USE YOUR DOG AT STUD?
Only the very best males should ever be used at stud. The only reason anyone should breed his animal is to try to improve the breed. A bitch owner can go to any of the top stud dogs in the country. So, what does your dog have to offer?
- Has your male been evaluated in the snow ring by qualified judges against top competition?
- Has he been OFA certified clear of hip dysplasia?
- Have his eyes been checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist, who certified him clear of PRA and other hereditary eye defects?
- Has he been tested clear of brucellosis?
- Is he of the proper temperament?
If you can answer yes to the above questions and you are one of the lucky few to own an outstanding dog, are you ready and qualified to handle a stud dog?
Breeding doesn't always happen 1-2-3. Do you have the necessary facilities to board a bitch in season to keep her safely in and the neighbor dogs out? Are you prepared to board a problem bitch or a bitch that the owner just doesn't want around while she is in season because it is too much of a hassle?
Are you prepared to spend sleepless nights with your boarding bitch in season barking and your male pacing and howling?
Are you prepared to handle the problem hitch that doesn't want to be bred and tries to tear your dog to shreds?
Are you qualified to evaluate pedigrees and judge if your dog's five-generation pedigree will complement the bitch's? After all, it is your dog's name and reputation you're passing on to that litter.
Are you qualified to advise the bitch owner on whelping and poppy card'. If your dog is bred to a bitch belonging to a novice owner, that owner is going to expect you to have all the answers. Do you have a ready market for offspring of your stud dog to help the bitch owner place the litter'*
Have you seen many bitches in season at all, and can you tell when it is best to breed the bitch?
Have you ever assisted in a breeding or even seen one so you will know what you have to do? Do you realize that it's more than putting the two dogs in an area together? Do you realize that leaving a dog and a bitch in season alone together can be disastrous and may even physically harm both?
This is usually achieved by showing your dog and having him become well known. A lot of time and money most be put into your dog if you want to get anything back.
Are you prepared for the wear and tear on your stud dog -- his not eating, pacing, and constant whining will not be easy to cope with, especially if you do show him and are trying to keep him in good show condition.
And, if you manage to get through all this, are you prepared to go through the whole thing again in six months when you learn that the bitch was not in whelp the first time?
Have you thought about an appropriate fee and what you will guarantee for that fee?
And, it has happened that a. entire litter of little puppies was dumped on the stud dog owner when the bitch's owners could no longer cope with them because e they didn't realize what a responsibility caring for a litter involved. Are you ready to take care of and place your dog's offspring if this should happen to you?
Standing your dog at stud is a great responsibility. Handling a strange bitch in season should not be taken lightly. Remember, she is as precious to her owners as your dogs are to you, and she must be handled with great care.
Before you even think about using a dog at stud, be sure you have a top quality dog.
A tip should be taken from the top horse breeders. Only 10% of the male foals born remain stallions. The rest are gelded to improve their temperament and make them easy to handle. The same should be done with clogs, An unaltered dog will tend to roam and can impregnate many bitches if allowed to do so.
240,000 dogs and cats are born every day. Only one in ten are adopted. The rest are put to death. Don't contribute to this problem by careless or haphazard breeding of your dog.
An altered male will make - excellent pet. His life will be centered around his human family rather than worrying about which bitch in the neighborhood is in season.
LEHIGH VALLEY KENNEL CLUB, INC.
