What is Success?

When a breeder “does well” they are most likely referring to the consistency in their breeding plans, personal satisfaction in doing what they do and positive feedback they have received from seeing their puppies go to happy owners… and success in the show ring.  NOT how well they are doing financially selling puppies!  Plus there is tremendous satisfaction when a puppy buyer calls you back a year later and tells you how happy they are with their dog.  

Costs to Expect

The expense of operating a kennel is a big consideration that simply should never be underestimated when considering whether or not to get into this business seriously. You must consider nutrition, housing, veterinary care, pet sitters, insurance, advertising costs, show entry fees, transportation, etc, etc…  The list goes on and on… 

Medical Expenses

Along with housing expenses, there are also medical expenses.  Every breed has different hereditary or medical concerns that need to be screened thoroughly before a dog can medically be determined to be breeding quality. 

Here are some examples of common health screenings and medical expenses that can occur before a dog is bred (these can vary greatly based on breed and you will be able to easily research and identify the needs for your particular breed):

1.)     Evaluation of hips by the OFA-Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.  This consists of x-rays that show the hip joints and associated bony components and any deviations from normal.  A score of Excellent to Dysplastic is given by the OFA upon reviewing the x-rays.  If your dog doesn’t pass, then they are not breeding quality. Dogs must be at least 2 years old before they can have this registry done (when the growth period is complete). A newer hip evaluation, called the PENN HIP procedure is also used to evaluate the hips.  This method shows any laxity of the hips, the dog should score high and well above the medium.

2.)     CERF- this is the registry of eye quality; a Board Certified Veterinary Specialist in Opthalmology must examine the eyes for any hereditary defects.  These are conducted annually.

3.)     Cardiac- a heart evaluation that is conducted by a Board Certified Cardiologist usually at a University and usually needs to be updated yearly also.

4.)     Thyroid Function- This blood test can be done through your local veterinary hospital and is a one-time evaluation. 

5.)     DNA and Microchip are very important.  These need to be registered through AKC (The American Kennel Club) or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) and are a must if you plan on using Artificial Insemination. DNA profile and Microchip expenses vary greatly.

6.)     Brucellosis- This test needs to be run prior to each breeding.  It will show if the male or female are carriers of this sexually transmitted disease.

7.)     Vaccination – take your dog to the veterinarian for any vaccinations and a preventative worming before your dog is to be bred. 

Before you consider breeding, you need to determine if you truly have a dog that is worthy of being bred. The primary goal of breeding is to improve the breed.  Just because your dog is AKC registered doesn’t mean it should be bred. This dog breeding business IS serious stuff!

Please share a comment with the costs that you have encountered with breeding.

So you’re thinking of being a dog breeder…talk about a challenge!  In order to become a TOP breeder you will be in this for the long haul… at least fifteen or twenty years.   That’s how long it can take to see how your breeding program and your breeding decisions have resulted in better dogs than you started with.  

Goals of Breeding

Breeder’s goals are to achieve a dog that fits as close as possible the breed’s AKC breed standard. The closer to the breed standard without any disqualifying faults the better!  So far, no one has bred the “Perfect Dog”.  

Is Breeding Right for You?

First you need to think of your motives thoroughly.  Is this something you’ve been considering for a long time or could it be more of a passing interest?  Are you getting involved because you truly enjoy being around animals and really like the responsibility of caring for them?  Or, as many first-time breeders seem to be motivated, do you expect to make money and supplement your income?   If money is your main motive, the odds are that you won’t be in this breeding business a few years from now.  If your primary drive comes from the love of the animal and because you find fulfillment & enjoyment in spending time with your canine friends, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing this for many enjoyable years. 

Breed Selection

Once you are committed be sure that you select a breed that matches best with what you like and what you are able to house long term.  If you live in the city or don’t have a large yard, a small breed would be best for obvious reasons.   If you are living in Florida, you might not select heavy coated breeds such as the Saint Bernard.  If you live on a ranch or have access to acres of private land, sight hounds, retrievers and large breeds may be a good choice.   

Once you have selected the breed you want to be committed to be sure to study all you can about them.  Know the AKC breed standard by heart, and think about every little detail because that is your ultimate goal.  Every breeding decision should be made in the light of answering this question:   “Will breeding this sire and dam produce puppies that will conform even better to the AKC breed standard?” 

Learning about Your Breed

After all of your hard work determining what breed will best suit you it is best to learn all you can about your breed. 

• Go to dog shows and talk to a lot of breeders
• Study pedigrees
• Read the “Dogs For Sale” ads to assess the market in your area. 
• Find some good books on breeding and breed standards
• Spend a lot of time at the dog shows 

You will begin to get a feel for the business of dog breeding and showing.  You will soon identify what people are important in the breed and also discover “what the judges are looking for” in the breed.  This does not mean that you must be a conformist and have to have just one certain line of dogs or certain “look” within that breed.   You decide what is important to you regarding how you think the breed should look, always using the AKC breed standard as your guide.   Write your goals and your own standards down.   Develop a “Kennel Philosophy”; be able to defend your philosophy, and stick with it. 

Please share a comment on your experience or questions with breeding.