To Breed or Not to Breed

Accepts Responsibility For Puppies

Puppies need to be with Mom for 8 weeks – in some areas it is illegal to sell or give away an animal younger. This means eight weeks of poop, piddle, and then the fun of a litter of pups playing with food as they grow. They will require vet exams and at least one set of shots before going to homes.

Vet costs, feeding, time to socialize and clean up after, postnatal care of them and Mom all can be expensive. What if down the road your dog develops a problem, say starts having seizures.

Are you willing to call everyone who bought a puppy from you and inform them? What if someone calls you down the road and cannot keep the puppy – now dog – what will you do? What health guarantee will you offer? What if someone's puppy proves deaf, dysplastic, epileptic, what will you do? You brought the pups into the world; therefore, you are responsible.

I have only touched on responsible breeding. There volumes devoted to responsible breeding. Whether you own a male or female, you must act responsibly. Do not breed haphazardly. Do not breed to get a dog "just like Scruffy" – it won't happen.

Do not breed to produce crosses (peke-a-poos, schoodles, etc.). Do not breed if you cannot devote the time and money to do it responsibly. If you cannot ensure good, loving homes for pups (they do not go to pet stores or get dumped at shelters or given to just anyone), do not breed.

 More Dog Breeding Articles
 Browse Dog Breeding Questions & Answers