Stud dog / breeding query

Gingham_R

If you've had all the health checks done on your dog, you'll obviously be looking for the same from the stud dog, which does mean that you're looking at a more expensive stud.

Have you worked out the cost of raising the pups, worming and vaccinating them etc and what you'd do if they needed medical treatment? Do you have definite homes for all possible pups? You could consider taking deposits first, so you know you're not going to be left with several dogs you can't afford to keep.

If all this is taken care of, and your !!!!! is cleared by the vet (the kennel club say no litters after 8 years old, so she may be okay) then you could consider finding an untried stud, which should be a bit cheaper.

foreign_correspondent

lots of people may say they want a pup - lots will change their mind when the harsh reality hits them!

Bear in mind also that having pups in the house is a messy business - a young mum I know took on a pregnant dog - thinking it would be nice for her kids to see them being born etc - when the pups were ready to go, she was stressed out, had a ruined carpet, feeding the b1tch was costing her an arm and a leg, and only one of all the people who said they wanted a pup was actually still interested...

It was a pretty awful situation to be in.

Bear in mind also that if your b1tch needed, for example, a c section, you could be looking at spending many hundreds at the vets.

Gingham_R

Have a watch when you have time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfP4zbMukIw&feature=player_embedded

D&DD

Although we are first time dog owners and have nowhere near the knowledge of some on here,I do have some idea of how my breeder 'works' as we have known the family for years.

Her !!!!!es are not bred before 2 years of age or after 4.
They are all health checked as are any outside stud dogs.
Their temperament is assessed over the course of months and many meetings if using an outside stud.
Pedigrees are researched back 6 generations at least for any signs of problems.

Stud costs usually are around £350-£450 as each pup sells for generally £1000 but even at these prices she barely makes any profit with litters.By the time they are all health checked,wormed,vaccs,etc it can drain any money you are likely to make.

She usually has a large waiting list for puppies but if say 25 are on the list she vets them and often ends up with only 5 suitable owners as she will not sell them to unsuitable homes and expects to meet the whole family and selling older puppies can be a problem for you.

She also has a mentor (a more experienced breeder) who she contacted first before starting and learnt as much as she could,experienced births etc from and is still learning from now.

We have had so many people ask if we were breeding our b*tch as we could make a lot of money :eek::eek: but we chose to spay her at 7 months due to the fact that we could not bear to lose her in childbirth (her breed is extremely tricky to breed unless you know what you're doing!)
I am also such a worrywart I'd never be able to let any pups go as I'd worry that they got suitable loving homes :rotfl:

rising_from_the_ashes

A good stud dog will cost a lot of money - a poor stud will be cheaper but if you're going to breed from your girl, you want the best ... and that will cost.

I have to agree with the others .... there are lots of dogs needing homes in rescues...

Friends/family often say they'd like a pup but many will back out. Are they prepared to pay several £000s for the pups? This isn't an inflation of price - this is to cover your costs .... you will have forked out for stud fees, health checks, extra vet trips, extra food and that's before the pups even arrive!

krlyr

I agree about 6 being a bit too old. I'm glad she's had all the appropriate tests but is it worth risking losing your beloved dog to birthing complications? If your friends want puppies but don't want to go to rescue (not everyone does and I respect that, it's their choice) maybe you could help them research a breeder who does all the appropriate health tests? There are many out there who are working to improve their chosen breed(s) of dog with an end goal of healthier dogs with good temperaments and personally I would rather support them than encourage a one-off litter that's not really going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Also agree with the comment that they may say they want a pup now but circumstances may change or they may prefer the idea than the reality. I've recently been looking for a rescue dog or breeder puppy for a colleague at work, sent her lots of info, but when push came to shove she decided her circumstances weren't the best for a dog at the moment. A decent breeder will give their puppies a lifetime of support - could you realistically keep or take back every puppy you bred if the homes didn't work out?

I would like to say well done for asking this question now though - great to see someone planning it rather than the post reading "We've bred our dog, what now?!", it's great that you're doing your research so I hope you take everyone's replies into consideration

cinderellacomplex

Border collies should really have their first litter before the age of four. After that point the risks increase considerably for a first litter. The kennel club do register pups from b*tches up to the age of 8, however older b*tches are generally having a second or third litter.

I have nothing against breeding for the right reasons, my own border collie is having a litter next year. However, I wouldn't let her have her first litter at 6 for fear of complications, not worth it. Please do bear that risk in mind as I can imagine you would be heartbroken if something went badly for your girl.

lostinrates

Happy_bunny wrote: »

As we've been asked for puppies from friends and family - Does this make a difference to my questions?

yes.

Its not a good reason. Friends and family could go to the stud your dog is from and buy a similarly well bred animal. Or you could approach your girls' breeder for advice. I very strongly feel that your dogs' breeder would agree that 6 is likely to be too old for an advisable first litter. ( In one of my breeds they say under four years and over two and a half. )

Low cost options in breeding are a bad idea. As a strong supporter of the maintaining of pedigree dog breeds I'm also a strong supporter of GOOD breeding. That doesn't mean no litters by pet owners, but it does usually mean the pet itself is proven in the show ring or its working discipline, or of a line that the pet's breeder is anxious to see preserved and will encourage the pet owner to have a litter, usually offering stud services in return for pick of the litter.

Having a litter with little experience, on a low cost basis is a risk to your girl...who I'm sure is well loved...and to the pups produced.

Please reconsider and if you feel you want to proceed dispite opinion here go to a GOOD proven breeder in and take their advice every step of the way.

gettingready

...

changed my mind....

myway_2

Have a good look at all the rescue site's. might make you think a gain!. Enjoy your dog for what she is a pet, not a breeding machine. I've got two young foster dog's here that are from an unsold litter:(