Many people thought that dog breeding is an easy job. All you need is to be a dog lover and have some understanding about dogs. That is all but false! Dog breeding is definitely not an easy job; it is a serious business that encompasses great accountability and responsibility. To begin with, you must have high-quality parents when you begin to breed. There are already an abundance of unwanted mutt dogs in the world. Though some find places to live, many of them end up being put down because there isn't enough room in the shelter.
Only by choosing high-quality parents, you can ensure that your puppies offer the best qualities of the breed and have better chances of finding excellent owners for each litter. The best way to find good parents is to review their medical histories. Both parents not only must be free of hereditary illnesses, they must also be tested for infectious diseases. Finally, the dogs should both display a good temperament.
Having unfriendly and aggressive puppies are definitely not what we are looking for. Breeding is always risky for both the mother and the father. E. Coli, strep and other bacteria can be common problems when breeding in the country or on a farm. You will need to take extra effort to ensure healthy mother and puppies from these bacteria strains. Not all of the puppies are sure to survive the birth or time thereafter.
Some puppies die during whelping, which can be emotionally difficult. The effects of dying puppies and sick moms are a risk that comes with breeding animals, but should not be an overall deterrent. Apart from being a long process to breed and whelp puppies, it takes money too. A whelping box is needed for the puppies, as well as heat lamps, thermometers, hemostats and other medical items to help the puppies and the mother during this vulnerable time. You will need to practice using these instruments before your new puppies arrive.
After giving birth to the puppies, the mother will look out and care for them for another three weeks. The mother will instinctively know how to keep her puppies under control, bath and feed them. The new puppies, however, will need a safe and private place to stay during this time so that the mom feels that her babies are protected. She will also need access to go outside whenever she wishes to avoid accidents. If she is housetrained and on a schedule, it may be disrupted during this time and sometimes, she will just need time away from the puppies.
You will need a lot of fresh newspaper or similar material to keep the puppies and the area clean. The material will need to be changed frequently in order to keep the area safe from bacteria and other messes. Puppies need to stay warm at all times. Hypothermia is the leading cause of puppy mortality, so heat lamps with an automatic thermostat are important equipments during the upbringing of the puppies.
You will need to keep the puppies around 75 - 80F although the mother may get uncomfortable and move farther away from the heat. Most breeds will be continually attended by their mother, but they often whine and bark at night. It is not uncommon for pups to sleep, play and sleep in shorter interval. They will settle down, but you might be cleaning while they are sleeping and not get any rest for yourself. Typically, this pattern starts at the second or third week and lasts up until the eighth or ninth week. If you ignore them all night, you will have a large mess on your hands in the morning and a higher risk of infection in the puppies.
You will need to bring the puppies in to be in to get their shots and be checked by the vet. Then you will need to find the puppies good homes. You must be ready to experience some form of emotional loss when your puppies left for their new house and owner.
It's a bittersweet time for puppy and owner. A dog breeder can be a a rewarding experience if you can deal with all the hassle involve in your dog breeding activities. You can take pleasure in the joy of adding a new member into a new family, as well as create lifelong friendships.
Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet owners deal with their pet problems at home. You can find pet problems and solutions, dog breeds selection tips and guide on his site.
