[jonnie darko]

Hi there

I am looking for some advice please.......
We have a three year old dog (cross between a dachund, cairne terrier and jack russell) and would like her to have puppies. However, we do not know how to go about this. I have been told about contacting the Kennel Club online but I believe that they only cater for pure breeds.

I was wondering if anybody could advise us on how to go about seeking out a dog to mate with. So far I am only using 'word of mouth' and when I have the courage I may approach other dog owners with small dogs when out walking.

Just to bore you, we are not wanting to have puppies to make a profit. Years ago our family dog had puppies and it was such an enjoyable few months looking after them - they were all given away to good homes. We wish to have this experience again.

Thank you for reading this - and hopefully replying.

Cheers.

Regards

Jon

[cigwyllt]

Please, please don't do it. I'm assuming from your username (only saw 5 minutes of the film and it really scared me!) that you are in the UK? Have you any idea how many puppies - pure bred and mixed breed - end up in rescue, or the pound or are put to sleep day after day? Maybe "years ago" less dogs were abandoned or maybe we just didn't know what was going on but the truth is that in the UK today one in every three puppies in every litter ends up in rescue or being pts because the original owner no longer wants it.

I am sure it was fun to have a litter of puppies running around the house - but is that really justification for adding to the dog population? If your motivation is to have a litter of puppies to care for for a couple of months why not contact a rescue and offer to foster a pregnant bitch or a bitch with pups? That way you get all the fun of the puppies and none of the expense and the rescue will be responsible for homing them afterwards.

I don't know whereabouts in the UK you are but I know that Many Tears in West Wales puts dogs in foster throughout the UK

Dogs looking for homes - Many Tears Animal Rescue

But as for breeding your mixed breed girl - you will not find any responsible owner who would be willing for their dog to mate with her.

[Luvmyfurkids]

The breeding of dogs is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. For every puppy you create that is one puppy not being rescued that will die.

Please visit a few of the shelter and rescue websites, or your local shelter, and witness the problem yourself. View the faces of the homeless dogs and talk to the volunteers and staff who, all too often, must take that 'final walk' with them.

[doggiemama]

I totally agree with these guys and beg of you not to do this! Please read cigwyllt's post a couple of more times - couldn't have been said better. Plus fostering for a shelter will give you all that fun of caring for puppies without adding to the horrible overpopulation everywhere around the world, no matter where you live. PLEASE consider fostering instead of having your dog breed.

[Jake Johnson]

I have to side with the rest of the gang on this one. Its a shame to see how many puppies end up in shelters.

My advice would be this: If you want to hear the pitter-patter of puppy feet around the house go to a local shelter and rescue a puppy.

You can get the same feeling and save a dog that no one else wants.

Jake