Becoming a dog breeder really is not so hard, you take two dogs and breed them. Becoming a good dog breeder is another matter. This article will not be about just becoming a dog breeder, it will be about becoming a good dog breeder, also known as a reputable dog breeder.

We will also assume you have already done breed research and know what breed of dog you are wanting to breed, and are familiar with the breed standards. Good breeders only breed purebred, registered, dogs.

Buying Breeding Dogs

To breed good dogs you must start with good dogs. You will not find good dogs at a pet store. Animal shelters will not allow you to adopt their dogs for breeding purposes. Good dogs are not sold out of the newspaper. If you want good quality dogs you must find a good breeder.

Good dog breeders advertise in dog magazines, but they usually only breed after they have a list of buyers who are looking for pups. You can find these breeders at dog shows, in the magazines, or by contacting local dog clubs, or breed clubs. A good breeder will have taken both parent dogs to shows to prove their worth for breeding, earning many championship titles, and will have certificates for the dog to show the dog has been tested against genetic problems – hips, eyes, ears.

Never buy a puppy sight unseen. A good breeder will not sell one to you this way, but scammers will!

Ask the breeder to help you select the best puppy, ideally you will have pick of the litter. You will want to be very familiar with the breed standard yourself, at least with what colors are allowable and what markings may result in disqualification.

Very occasionally a breeder might have an older puppy or young dog that is for sale that you might consider as well.

Getting Your Dog Ready

Your puppy needs to be brought up in an environment where it is well socialized and prepared for the show world. A good breeder does not breed a dog that has not proven itself at shows. You need to keep its vaccinations up to date, and start working on its training and socialization. It must accept being handled by strangers.

From here you want to show your puppy so that it earns championship titles to prove it is worth breeding. You will know about dog shows when you join a dog club or subscribe to dog magazines. Showing can be expensive but will add value to your puppies, and will give you credit in the dog world as a whole.

While you prepare your growing puppy there are other things to consider – licensing, and dog club membership.

Most breeders will have their dog tested and certified for against genetic health conditions such as hips, eyes, and ears.

Licensing?

In some areas you may require a breeders license from your local city, something to say you are allowed more than the normal number of dogs allowed in your jurisdiction. Check into this before you actually breed your dog. If you rent your home you may need to check with the landlord too.

Dog Club Membership?

You should join your local dog club, and find the club for your particular breed of dog. If you are in the United States, or Canada, the American Kennel Club website can help you find clubs.

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Actually Breeding the Dogs

A female dog should not be bred before her second, or ideally third, heat cycle, many people will say she should be no younger than 18 months. This also allows her ample time to attend shows and prove her worth as a breeding animal. Prior to this you should also take her to a vet to have her tested and certified for genetic concerns, hips, eyes, and ears.

Be sure you have the appropriate papers required before breeding – the dog registry will have these to mail you, or available for download.

Select a male dog that is of a quality to compliment your female. Typically the female dog is sent to the male's home for breeding and may remain their for several days. The breeding agreement and stud fee should be agreed upon before hand and put in writing. It is usually the owner of the male dog (stud) that decides on the stud fee and agreement. This may be a cash fee, or a “pick of the litter”. An agreement should be established as to what happens if there is only one puppy, or if the breeding is unsuccessful.

Preparing for Pups

After the breeding you need to follow through with the veterinarian to make sure the mother dog is in good shape, the vet can even tell you how many pups to expect. She should be fed good quality puppy food starting half way through her pregnancy, and kept on the food until the pups are weaned.

You will need to prepare a whelping box, and should have roughly $3000 for emergencies – or have a pet insurance for breeding.

You can do further research on how pups are born, and so forth. Of course as a good breeder you will have had a list of buyers for the puppies even before breeding your dog. You need to give the buyers registration papers for the pups, as well as contracts stating health guarantees you offer and so forth.