13 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Deciding To Breed Your Dog

You should weigh the decision to breed your dog the same way you would weigh the decision to have a child: carefully and responsibly. After all, once a pregnant dog gives birth, she could have anywhere from one to 12 puppies–- and she'll need your help to ensure everything goes smoothly! Needless to say, breeding your canine shouldn't be a spur-of-the-moment impulse. Very quickly, it can turn into a full-time job with many factors out of your control.

Before breeding your dog, whether you have a male or female (or both), there are multiple aspects to consider. For example, is your female pooch suited for motherhood? You may think twice about breeding her if your dog experiences separation anxiety, reactivity, and low biddability. These challenges could cause her to reject the puppies, endangering their chances of survival.

Did you rescue a purebred male dog from a shelter and want to stud him? This can also get tricky. Even if you're confident that you adopted a German shepherd, he might not conform to the breed standard — and because of genetics, neither would the puppies. Not only would this make them undesirable to hardcore breed enthusiasts, but they could also be born with abnormalities and defects that threaten their ability to thrive. Having a house full of puppies may seem like a dream come true, but there are many questions to ask before breeding your dog.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the country's largest registry of purebred dogs, keeping meticulous records about the number of purebred puppies born annually, along with other data, such as increases in breed popularity. However, the non-profit organization will not accept the registration of puppies born to a mother younger than 8 months or older than 12 years at the time of mating. A female dog who gets pregnant in her first heat could suffer stress and health problems that come from producing at an inopportune age. 

In a similar vein, the organization prohibits the breeding of males younger than 7 months and older than 12 years old. While there's significantly less risk with breeding an immature or older male than a female, the AKC wants to do everything possible to discourage unscrupulous breeding practices. That means letting younger dogs enjoy their youth puppy-free and letting older dogs enjoy their golden years.

The goal of breeding isn't profit; it's about bettering the overall breed. Responsible breeding practices go a long way in ensuring that future generations of purebred puppies aren't afflicted with genetic health conditions that affect their longevity and quality of life. "The most common genetic diseases seen by veterinarians every day in their practices are due to ancient liability genes that originated in ancestors that preceded the separation of breeds," Jerold Bell, DVM, adjunct professor of genetics at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, shared with the AKC. "These include allergies, hip dysplasia, heart diseases, cataracts, cruciate ligament disease, hereditary cancers, and others. They occur in purebred and mixed-breed dogs."

When making the decision to breed your dog, take a moment to consider whether the parents have any genetic health conditions that could be passed down to puppies. It's worth noting that certain genetic conditions and inclinations aren't visible to the naked eye, which is why many breeders conduct specialized testing. While admittedly expensive (with UC Davis charging $250 for genetic markers and parentage verification tests for puppies), it's part of breeding healthy litters.

You should not, under any circumstances, fail to conduct genetic testing before breeding your dog. There are multiple reasons for this. For instance, serious breed enthusiasts will want to see proof of genetic testing from the parents before putting a deposit on a puppy. Without this information, they could have issues registering the dog, question its parentage, or even insist that they should pay a lower price. In the worst case scenario, your dog gives birth to a litter that requires lifelong veterinary care, putting strain on everyone involved.

Mother dogs don't have the benefits of parenting classes or reading classics like "What to Expect When You're Expecting". They instead rely on the all-powerful maternal instinct that devotes a mother to her puppies for the first seven weeks of their life. For the first three weeks, she's solely responsible for feeding, socialization, and waste elimination.

Some female dogs more readily take to motherhood than others. A canine that would make a suitable mother would be a confident, well-socialized pet free of health concerns and behavioral issues, such as separation anxiety. She would have no history of reactivity or aggression, and be at a suitable age for puppy-bearing for her breed. The same applies to male dogs; they can pass down undesirable tendencies or health issues to their young.

No matter how much you've grown to love your dog, understand that breeding an ill-tempered canine is not in their best interest, the puppies', or the overall breed's. A mother dog prone to stress could reject her puppies, prioritizing her own well-being as a survival response. Not only does this place the sole responsibility of puppycare on your shoulders, but it sets the stage for insecure attachments as the puppies age. They may be more prone to fear without forming that first vital connection. Similarly, a father dog allowed to interact with his newborn puppies could act roughly or aggressively, further creating an unsafe environment for them to grow and mature.

Intentionality should be at the forefront when choosing to breed your dog. "Breeding requires having a vision," Anita Oberbauer, PhD, professor of animal science and associate dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis, explained to the AKC. "You must define your objectives and goals. The hallmark of a good breeder is making progress toward the overall objectives." Before diving into the world of dog breeding, ensure that your heart's in the right place and you understand how to meet your goals. This may include connecting with experienced breeders, consulting with veterinary professionals, and devising a "back-up plan" if things go awry.

Understanding your reasons for wanting puppies can help ensure that you make appropriate decisions regarding finances, lifestyle adjustments, and above all else, your dog's health. For instance, are you breeding for profit? If so, the business of breeding and selling puppies is a more complex process than what initially meets the eye. You'll have to advertise, vet buyers, and draw up legal contracts to protect your business.

Are you breeding to better the breed? That's great! But ask yourself this: do you truly understand your dog's breed standard? This term refers to the ideal breed specimen. You want to strategically identify key traits in puppy parents, then work to capture these traits in litters. You may be surprised to learn that even a slight deviation from the breed standard could significantly lower the value of the puppies and make them ineligible for conformation competitions.

It's an unfortunate reality that some dog breeds are more common in shelters than others, a list that includes pitbulls, Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds, according to Chewy. These aren't inherently "bad dogs", but the fact is, overbreeding, public perception, and housing restrictions have led to a larger number of these canines in shelters and animal rescues. It's an even darker reality that not every pup finds a home, with the ASPCA reporting that 390,000 shelter dogs are euthanized each year.

If your dog's breed is commonly found in shelters, circle back to the question of intentionality. Why are you breeding your dog? If you want a mini-version of your beloved friend, you could find one at an animal shelter or rescue. This would give a pup a second chance and avoid contributing to overpopulation. Are you intending to sell the puppies? There may be intense market competition among breeders of popular canine. Breeders with decades of experience, connections in the dog world, and greater finances could make it tough to find customers and make a profit. 

Caring for pets comes with a number of hidden costs. Do you know how expensive it is to breed a single puppy litter? According to Good Dog, ethical breeding can cost anywhere from $7,700 to $23,900. This range may seem high, but there are many factors to consider that some first-time breeders overlook.

If you only have a female dog, you'll need a stud (an unneutered male) –– but not just a stud, one that has appropriate genetic testing, adheres to the breed standard, and is AKC registered. Finding the ideal dog daddy is not only time-consuming, but if the owner lives in another state, you may have to pay for travel costs, accommodations, and other related expenses, not to mention the cost of studding itself.

Once your dog is pregnant, she'll need regular prenatal care to ensure a safe gestation. This may include administering vitamins and undergoing ultrasound scans, both of which can add up. Once the puppies arrive, you may have to miss work due to vet appointments, deal with household destruction from overactive puppies, and buy extra food. Needless to say, breeding a dog isn't cheap!

Dog breeding is a heavily regulated legal process that requires inspections, permits, and tons of paperwork. The practice is regulated on a federal level, where dog breeders are viewed as businesses. These businesses must operate in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a federal law that sets the minimum standards of care for dogs, cats, primates, and small animals, such as hamsters. Violations of the AWA can include a fine of $10,000 "per violation, per animal, per day."

Individual states also have laws governing dog breeding, requiring additional bureaucracy. For example, in Washington State, breeders must register with the Department of Revenue, include business and occupation (B&O) tax, and collect and remit sales tax. In the eyes of the law, dogs are not considered livestock, so they don't qualify for sales tax exemptions.

There is no room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations of state or federal laws regarding dog breed. Even an honest mistake could result in serious penalties that threaten your livelihood. For this reason, consulting with a lawyer may be in your best interest if you're starting a dog breeding enterprise. Still, legal advice comes at a cost, and when considering other financial obligations, you may rethink breeding your dog (or feel more confident in your decision to move forward).

The Royal Veterinary College at the University of London explains that some dog breeds are more likely to experience difficult labor and delivery than others, including chihuahuas, French bulldogs, and Boston terriers. According to one study it conducted, 3.7% of female dogs will experience dystocia, a catch-all term for difficult births. When zeroing in on specific breeds, Boston terriers were 12.9% more likely to experience dystocia, along with pugs that also were more prone to complications. Challenges during labor and delivery can require a cesarean section, an emergency surgery that can prove physically taxing on your female dog.

So, why are some breeds more likely to experience difficult births? A key reason is body types not conducive to having puppies. French bulldogs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds have large heads but narrow hips. This may cause puppies to get caught in the birth canal, requiring surgical intervention to avoid oxygen deprivation. If you're planning on breeding a dog that's more likely to experience dystocia, consult with your veterinarian. They can assess your pooch's health profile, explain what to expect, and help you prepare for the birth of puppies. 

Pregnant dogs need prenatal care just like pregnant humans. The process goes beyond resting and relaxing; it involves regularly going to the vet and undergoing periodic examinations to ensure that everything is progressing smoothly. This can include physical exams, like palpitations to predict the number of puppies, and ultrasound scans to make sure they're developing properly. Your vet may also weigh your dog and determine whether she's gaining weight at an appropriate rate.

While many vet clinics welcome new patients, it's best to have a solid relationship with a veterinarian before your dog gets pregnant. That way, you've partnered with a medical professional who understands what's "normal" for your canine and can intervene when things go awry. Here's another consideration: while it's good to have the equivalent of a primary care doctor for your pooch, you should consider having a back-up if your dog has an after-hours emergency. If your canine goes into labor early or exhibits troubling symptoms, every minute counts. Having a network of veterinarians covers your bases regarding your dog's pregnancy and delivery.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets standards in accordance with the AWA to regulate the practice of dog breeding. One of those regulations establishes the minimum amount of space needed to legally breed and sell puppies. The size largely depends on the mother size and how many puppies she has.

The Department uses a formula to determine an appropriate size. Imagine Scout, a dalmatian that measures 31 inches from the tip of her nose to the base of her tail. The height of her primary enclosure must be at least 6 inches from the top of her head. So, add 31 and 6 to get 37. Multiply 37 by itself to get 1,369, and divide this number by 144 to get square footage. For those not great at math: Scout alone would need 9.51 square feet to have enough space in the eyes of the AWA.

Now wait: Scout had nine puppies. Each puppy needs 5% of its mother's minimum floor space, which in this case is 68.45 square inches per puppy –– 616.05 square inches total. When accounting for both Scout and her puppies, they would need a minimum of 13.79 square feet. This may not seem like much space, but puppies grow quickly, gaining up to 15% of their body weight in a single day. What once seemed like enough space may quickly turn into a cramped living situation!

You would be amazed at some of the traits that are considered "major faults" by kennel clubs and other breed-specific organizations. Consider Italian greyhounds, small sighthounds commonly mistaken for whippets. According to the breed standard set by the AKC, these dogs' tails must be: "Slender and tapering to a curved end, long enough to reach the hock; set low, carried low." A ringed or "gay" tail is considered a major fault and reflects on poor breeding practices that deviate from the accepted standard. Other faults would include a lightly or partially pigmented nose and a brindle-patterned coat.

While your target audience may not care whether their puppy follows every breed standard description, breed enthusiasts willing to pay thousands will. Not only could a fault compromise how the dog adheres to the breed standard, but it could also merit a discounted asking price or even face rejection from hardcore kennel clubs. Familiarize yourself with your dog's breed standard when deciding whether to have puppies. This could lend insight into whether you feel confident that you could capture those traits and contribute to the breed's continuing legacy.

Experienced dog breeders leave no room for uncertainty when finding suitable homes for their puppies. It's why many breeders advertise puppies before their dog is even pregnant. Having customers lined up beforehand ensures that the puppies will have homes once they turn 8 weeks old, an appropriate age where they can leave their mother and siblings. It also ensures that there's enough interest. Even if you want to breed Siberian huskies, you may have trouble finding interested buyers if you live in a hot climate.

The business aspect aside, the last thing you want is for the puppies to go to a shelter. Being exposed to loud noises and fear-inducing triggers can result in shelter stress, which can set the groundwork for insecure attachments and other behavioral problems later in life. There's also no guarantee that the puppies will get adopted, and many shelters are already overwhelmed with unhoused pets. Ensuring that you have homes ready before the puppies arrive gives them the best possible chance at thriving in a loving family. It may also inform your decision about whether to proceed with breeding your dog.

Breeding your dog isn't a set-it-and-forget-it deal. It can quickly turn into a full-time job, consuming time, energy, and finances. First there's the matter of vet appointments –- and not just the ones you have scheduled. You may have to miss work if your dog seems overly lethargic or displays other symptoms that require medical attention.

The work doesn't stop once your dog gives birth. While she'll care for the puppies' every need in the first few weeks of their life, she'll require your help to ensure that her living space is clean, and she has adequate support. After all, being a new mother isn't easy! You must be available 24 hours a day for the first three weeks of the puppies' lives, remaining on high alert for sudden changes in temperature, behavior, or movement. You may also need to help mom with nursing.