This is a question that we often get from sitter and owners who work with Rover. Help the community out by answering them in our forum!
You shouldn't breed your dog. There are enough of them in the world already.
Breeding dogs is a serious commitment towards maintaining and improving the dog breed. It is not hobby. That is called back-yard breeding.
First, have a purebred, show quality dog. Do all health testing including Hip Evaluation; Elbow Evaluation; Ophthalmologist Evaluation; Cardiac Exam; after that, temperament and training. Be registered with AKC, then you can breed your dog.
If you don't know how to breed a dog you probably shouldn't be breeding dogs. Also if you are thinking you will make a quick buck dumping them on Craigslist... you'd be surprised how expensive caring for a pregnant mama dog and her puppies can be before you adopt them out.
1) Know the parents and ancestry. 2) do health testing and hip/joint testing. 3) find someone who has been breeding that specific breed. 4) Gather their advice about breed standard. 5) find a good vet 6) figure out what you’re trying to breed to improve. And the rest I can’t help with.
Dear Rover,
Please discourage every regular dog owner from breeding. A breeder is passionate about the breed and has a vision for why and what she/he wants to achieve. It requires commitment and responsibility.
There are plenty of back yard breeders and puppy mills already which just add to the animal welfare issues. I want to see more and more people to recognize professional breeders and applaud their work. Of course, this cannot happen without educating the public first how to tell a professional breeder from a hobby or puppy mill breeder.
You should ask the AKC registered breeder you bought your breeding dog from. They will tell you how to do it, step by step.
1.EXERCISE AND SOCIALIZATION 2.VETERINARY CARE 3.BREEDING PRACTICES 4.KENNEL DESIGN 5.INSPECTIONS