[SavatheWolf]

I am a teen breeder in training and I have tried to learn everything I could about breeding dogs. I am set on breeding shelties, since I have grown up with three of them. I want a few tips on breeding and I have a few questions. Like, what is the best way to cut the puppy's cord? I have decided that I will cut all the cords, dams seem to be too aggressive. Some say to use two clamps. Others say use one clamp. Some say simply use your fingers to clamp it. I'm pretty unsure of what to do about that. And any dieting tips for the dam would be great. Oh, and should I shave just the belly hair or some of the side hair as well? What's the best day to breed the dam when she's in heat? Any extra tips would be great, I'm trying to learn everything I can. I have been researching this for a long time now, and I'm sure I could be a good breeder, but I just want to learn everything I can until then. Knowledge doesn't hurt, especially when it comes to breeding dogs. I've already decided loads of things I'm going to do, like I'm going to use the Misty method of potty training, and I'm going to buy a dam that's proved herself, even if it is an extra expense. I need to be sure my dam will be a good one. I also plan to give my dam a rest period, instead of breeding her every heat. I'm very serious about this, I don't plan to be just any backyard breeder. Thanks for your help.

(p.s. I am not going to be a puppy mill. I want to be a breeder because I love dogs and I'm trying to improve the way shelties are bred. They are gettng pretty popular and you wouldn't believe how many were sold without contracts and ended up being neglected)

~SavatheWolf

[Lunareclipse]

I know you are only a teen, so there are lots of things you need to know. What happens to a puppy you breed that someone buys and doesn't want later. Before you even think about breeding, go to a shelter and look at everybody's unwanted pets. And before you breed, you have to have hip tests and other certified tests done on your dog. Breeding is done to better the breed. It's not done to have a whole bunch of cute puppies running around. They grow into dogs and some people don't find them cute anymore or only think they are cute ubtil they pee on the rug and chew up their shoes and they end up in shelters.
Dogs shouldn't be bred unless they are going to fulfill a purpose, ie service dog. And if you decide to breed a certain type of dog, make sure those dogs are up to breed standards. A responsible breeder always gets tests certain types of tests done on their dog before breeding it, and those tests could run into the thousands of dollars. Back yard breeders and puppy mills don't have these tests done. Before breeding please volunteer at your local shelter first. Do you really want to bring more dogs in the world with all those unwanted babies in doggie death camp?

[cigwyllt]

Lunareclipse makes a really good point about the number of dogs in rescue and you really should think long and hard about the responsibility of bringing more dogs into a society that can not home the ones that are already here. A litter of cute puppies will mean that half a dozen dogs in rescue will not find homes because people want puppies with a clean slate and not older, possibly damaged dogs.

Having said that, I think you are being very sensible in trying to learn as much as you can now before you are in a position to own a breeding bitch. I despair at the number of people who "accidentally" find their dog is pregnant or who think that they can learn as they go along.

As you are a teen and you obviously have some years to wait before you move into breeding I would suggest you start by learning as much as you can about "your" breed - find out what illnesses they are prone to, what genetic tests they need, study the breed standard and try and spot dogs that match it well.

Alongside this you can try and find breeders local to you, not necessarily breeding shelties, but ask them if you can help, ask them to mentor you. Most breeders who care for their dogs as they should would not allow a stranger to be present when the bitch gives birth so see if someone will let you spend time with their pregnant bitch, get to know the breeder and the dog and watch how it is done.

Some of your questions (which are perfectly sensible) have as many answers as there are people to answer them so the best thing to do is to find someone you respect and follow their lead.

You have a lot of learning to do but you are very sensible to give yourself so much time to do it! But do think about what Lunareclipse has said as well. If you spend time looking round the local pounds and rescue centres you may that you change your mind and your commitment and care can be put to use in the area of dog welfare instead.

All the best,

Fiona

[SavatheWolf]

I know what you mean, and yes I've seen he shelters. I don't want to breed if I'm not ready or I'm not able. I'm learning as much as I can, and yes I know the dangers and I know that most breeders consider themselves lucky to even break even. I want to breed dogs for show, and also I want to improve the breed. You wouldn't believe how many shelties are under quality these days. Prick ears and no undercoat are very common. I am looking for advice on breeding dogs, not advice on why I shouldn't. Here are some things I plan to do:

Sell every dog on contract, family dogs spay/neuter and also they MUST bring the dog back when they can't take care of it. Same for show dogs without the spay/neuter part, and for all dogs I must be able to visit them. All potential adopters must fill out a questionairre and let me visit their home. I am going to prevent my dogs from ending up in the shelter, I know that I will have full responsibility. That is why I'm preparing myself. Thank you for your concern and I appreciate it, but I am just wanting advice on breeding dogs. I also plan to show dogs first, and learn their standards.

~SavatheWolf

Oh and yes, I know that it does run into thousands of dollars. I'm NOT doing this for a bunch of cute puppies. I'm doing this for improving the breed. I've actually applied for the shelter yesterday, to help out with that. Thanks for your support Fiona.

[Todd]

I don't personally know much about breeding or delivering, but I'd like to think I know a thing or two about proper nutrition. Have you considered feeding a raw diet? How bout a home cooked diet? In my opinion, these are your best options. If this is too inconvenient, I'd suggest choosing a high quality kibble. Most of the foods you see on television commercials and sold at the grocery stores aren't the best choices. Look for a high quality, natural food without artificial preservatives, colors, additives, fillers, corn, wheat, or soy as a initial rule of thumb. Grain free is the best way to go, which generally has high amounts of meat protein. If price is an issue, don't sweat it. There are plenty of good foods out there that are priced the same as poor quality foods. Here is a great site to learn more about what foods are the best and the worst, and their pros and cons. The 6 star foods are the best and the 1 star foods are the worse. I'd at least try to feed 4 star foods, but of course 6 star foods would be ideal. Here are some brands I'd recommend off the top of my head;

Best (Don't use these foods until your dog is an adult/done growing. At least until one year or more, maybe even less, depending on breed. These foods have too high amounts of overall nutrition and cause larger breed dogs to grow too fast and develop bone problems. Wait until adult)

EVO
Taste Of The Wild
Origin
Timberwolf Organics
Canidae Grain-Free Formula
Wellness CORE

Very Good

Innova
Wellness
Canidae
California Natural (Great For Dogs With Food Allergies)
Solid Gold

Good For Best Quality On A Budget

Fromm
Premium Edge
Natural Balance
Diamond Naturals

*Don't forget to consider home cooked or especially raw (which is EXTREMELY cost effective). Let me know if these interest you and I can give you more info. Good Luck!

[SavatheWolf]

Finally someone with real advice! Thanks, I'll write that down in my notebook I'm keeping. I was told to slowly wean the dam down to puppy food, and slowly wean her off it after delivery. Thanks, I appreciate it

[cigwyllt]

One thing other thing I would say, you haven't said how old you are but assuming you are in your mid teens it could easily be 10 years or so before you are in a position to breed a bitch. By then there could be many changes in thinking about breeding, diet, discipline, even the breed standard could change. There's not really any point in making decisions now, keep learning, keep reading research on the Net and try and find a breeder to mentor you.

[OrangeDog]

My advise as a breeder would be for you to join 4 H club as well as finding yourself a breed mentor that your can work for and learn. Go to a dog show and begin talking to the breeder there and find one that you can work with. Good breeders are members of their national breed club, so that is a good thing to do as well and something that you can do now. DO you own a dog at the moment? If so do you show? I would STRONGLY advise starting off in the dog world showing dogs. You will learn a lot! You will learn the breed standard and have the chance to see what CORRECT dogs look like. The questions you are asking are FAR beyond the stage you are at... you first need to learn about health clearances, genetics, structure and soundness and how to evaluate it, how to read a pedigree and how to match dogs in a way that you are more likely to reach your breeding goals. You will need to learn about inbreeding, linebreeding and outcrossing. You also need to learn first aid, breeding practices and much more.

You need to think about the number of dogs in shelters, the fact that dogs can and do die while whelping, how you will handle puppies that are born deformed, sick, dead, what will happen if your whole litter becomes ill and dies off one by one until you have none left. Breeding can be an ugly, gory, heartbreaking thing.

[SavatheWolf]

I know nothing is definite. I am learning, I know things will change. That is why I will continue learning. Decisions for everything are not all definite, I've only made decisions I know will be constant and necessary in the future. I'm learning in order to know HOW to make the right decisions. I don't want to have my mind set before I'm ready. Please do understand I know things will change, and I know I will need to make choices, and I know I need to learn a lot, and be patient. All I am asking for is information. That's all. I'm currently looking for a high quality breeder- not a rookie, and it is SO hard to find a good one to work for. Anyway thanks for your time.

[PuppyKisses]

Along the same lines as diet Last I checked, Grandma Mae's was not reviewed, and it is an excellent dog food. But it's only sold in locally owned stores in the NE--not in the big chain stores.
Good luck to you--and you should be congratulated for wishing to hold the higest ethical standard in dog breeding. There are far too few of us!

[OrangeDog]

it is good to see that you want to learn... take my list (which is only partial) and begin reading books

[SavatheWolf]

Thanks for the site Puppykisses and thank you both for the support! Not everyone sees that I am willing to not breed if I am not able. I will learn until my brain explodes! Thanks My notebook is almost full, you wouldn't BELIEVE how much stuff I find.