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When you talk about dog breeding you are most likely thinking about the female; after all she is the one carrying the pups. But did you know it is equally important to think about choosing the right stud for her?
Good quality studs are difficult to find, and if you settle for the first candidate that comes along you may not be able to produce the best pups. There is a lot of competition in the dog breeding world, and if you have a stud you need to make sure he stands out from the crowd.
You need to make sure your stud is in top condition. Have him certificated by a vet to confirm he does not suffer from any joint problems. The ideal age for mating a male dog is the same as for a female, i.e. two years old, although younger dogs will also have a tendency to mate. You should also have your stud's eyes checked regularly to prevent any issues which may arise with his sight. Abnormalities are quite common in dogs, especially among certain breeds. To increase your chances of success you will need to make sure your dog does not suffer from any abnormalities which could be passed on to pups. There should be no thyroid problems, brucellosis, seizures or heart problems. You should also take your dog for a temperament test, and obtain certification.
To increase your dog's popularity take him out so other people can see him. Take him to dog shows and fields. Let prospective buyers see your that dog is in top condition. Proven dogs can command higher fees than any that are unproven or inexperienced.
If you are housing studs you should expect delivery of a female mate. You need to make sure you have adequate facilities for boarding a female in heat. The mating period can take anything up to a week, and this will ensure the female is impregnated whilst avoiding any problems with mis-mating. There are times when a dog is able to mate with more than one female, in which case you will need to provide a spare room.
There may be times when you need to intervene during mating. Basset Hounds, for example, will require intervention. If it is the first time for the dogs they will not know what to do. Never leave the dogs unattended because the results can be disastrous. It can also happen that the female is not impregnated the first time; in which case you will have to repeat the process the following season. Contracts vary and you will need to check your agreement with the other party.
The compatibility of the dog's pedigree is another issue to consider. Any good or bad points in the pups will be attributed to your stud. If you want to develop a good reputation you need to be very careful when choosing the female dog. This is the only way to guarantee good quality pups.
If you are dealing with a new breeder, i.e. the owner of the bitch, you should help them with whelping and taking care of the pups. Provide any assistance they require, and answer all their questions correctly. Bear in mind your dog's reputation is at stake here so you will need to be patient in dealing with the owners.
You also need to be prepared for any disputes that may arise because these could affect your dog's reputation.
Once your dog gives birth to puppies you will need to start looking after them. Taking care of puppies is not always as easy as it seems, and a lot of responsibility will fall upon you as the breeder. Your responsibility does not end with the female giving birth; in fact your job is only just beginning.
You will need to make preparations prior to the birth; and these include providing a whelping box which is clean and sturdy. Try to incorporate some kind of ?pig rail? to stop the mother accidentally crushing the puppies. The box should be large enough for the mother to move around comfortably, but on the other hand it should not be so large that the puppies are in danger of getting lost in it. Use a box which is six inches longer and a foot wider than the size of the bitch.
When you have chosen a suitable box you will need to line it with suitable materials. Take some sheets of newspaper and plastic and arrange them in layers in the box, starting with several sheets of newspaper followed by some plastic. Continue in this way until you have 4 ? 5 layers of newspaper and plastic.
Breeders have their own preferences when it comes to arranging the whelping box. Some avoid using newspaper or plastic because the puppies can easily become soiled with print or feces. Some breeders like to use a synthetic material on top of the absorbent layers, whilst others prefer to use 6 inches of pine shavings. Whichever materials you decide to use you will have to make sure the box remains as clean as possible. It is important to remove any feces you see in the box.
Newborn pups need to be kept warm and comfortable. You will need to ensure the temperature in the whelping box starts off at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and then in the following days decrease the temperate by around 2 degrees. Do not attempt to feed a pup which appears to be chilled. Remove it from the box and try warming it under your shirt or armpit, or alternatively put it in a separate whelping box with a heating pad. Cover the pup with a towel but make sure it does not get too hot. Look at the pups? behaviour in the whelping box. If they are cold they will cry and clump together, if they are hot they will separate and look for shade.
If the mother produces a large litter you will need to provide extra food to ensure the survival of all the pups. You can buy supplemental milk for the pups, and arrange to feed them in shifts. You can refer to specialist milk recipes for advice; and you will also need to buy extra feeding bottles. If the pups are unable to suckle you will need to tube-feed them.
Taking care of pups requires a lot of time and effort, especially when there are a lot of them. Make sure you have all the information you require to help them survive at this most critical time in their lives. Help your bitch to take care of her pups.