AKC registration papers DO NOT guarantee anything about the dog - EVERY poorly bred, bad tempered and unhealthy purebred dog can have papers too!!

Breeding a dog isn't just putting them with another of the opposite sex.  In order to find a potential breeding prospect for your dog, you will have to do some homework.

The best breeders - the ones not selling to pet stores, distributors and such - are responsible for each and every dog, for the entire lifetime of the dog.  Meaning that if any time in the course of the dog’s life it cannot stay in the home it comes back to the breeder.  Responsible breeders will take back their dogs at any age, health, time, etc even when it may not be convenient for them.  This is an awesome responsibility.  Many breeders even make arrangements for their dogs in the event that they may not be in the position to take back at dog (their death, illness, etc).  So they have the added weight of that future planning.

Is your dog a conformation champion with a sound temperament?  Has your dog passed temperament testing and been certified as such? 

Taking care to considering temperament is critical.  Dogs that are timid, fearful, aggressive with other dogs or people or in general unstable or unpredictable in their behavior should not be bred.  These characteristics may be in their genetic make up and can be passed on to their offspring.

Welsh Corgis, as well as other breeds, have a number of inherited health problems and should only be bred if they have excellent qualities to pass on to their offspring.  All dog breeds have inherited genetic problems that good breeders screen for and take great pains to eliminate from their bloodlines.  A female or male should not be bred before she/he has been screened and passed exams for those problems that can be tested for.  Other breeders will want to see certificates, ratings, and vet exam to confirm that your dog has been tested before considering your dog as a potential breeding partner for one of theirs.  No female should ever be bred on her first heat cycle (ages 6-10 months), and she herself should be fully grown (usually not before 2 -3 years old, depending on the breed) before being considered for breeding.  Older females should not be bred after the age of 7 - that would be the oldest age to safely breed for most dogs, and some should not be bred after the age of 5-6 years.  Males should not be bred before one year of age, as most health screenings cannot be completed until the dog is older.  Has your dog been screened by your vet for both genetic and health problems?  Have hips been x-rayed to be sure he/she doesn't have crippling hip dysplasia?  Other applicable breed related screenings should be performed as well (such as: heart defects, bleeding disorders (such as von Willebrand's disease), eye defects, deafness, etc).  Some breeders also screen for Brucellosis.

Good breeders only breed dogs that will improve the breed they are working in.  Meaning that they will only breed dogs that display the best characteristics of the breed to improve their existing bloodlines.  They are showing forethought for the future and want to build on what is already good in the breed.

Leaving a female unspayed can increase their risk of reproductive cancers and breast cancers.  For males reproductive cancers are high in un-neutered dogs.  Are you willing to take that risk?

Prenatal care must be provided to mom and pups to make sure the pregnancy goes well and all are healthy.  This is expensive and time consuming.

In bringing puppies into the world, there can be problems with birthing that may require emergency and expensive vet care for c-sections, etc.  Some of the pups might not make it.

There is a high cost and time commitment involved in raising a litter of pups properly.  Anticipate at least three or more months of extra work on your part.  Puppies should not leave the mother until 10-12 weeks of age.  If you are planning on breeding to get you money back or make money - you will spend more than you earn (both in time and in money).  Most breeders do not ever break even.

Below are a few good links for you to read as you do your research.  The first is from our website and has tips on how to find a responsible breeder - these are aspects you should consider when breeding your own dog as well.

http://www.geocities.com/corgirescuestl/breeder.html

http://www.bluegrace.com/virtualbreeding.html

Assuming your dog came from a responsible breeder, you should contact them as well before breeding.  If you have gotten your dog from a pet store or such, please do not consider breeding due to the high risk for inbred lines and related genetic health & temperament problems.

Faery Tails Corgi Rescue of St. Louis Inc supports the efforts of responsible breeders to improve their breeds and be responsible for the dogs they produce.  A breeder of such integrity is a person to be admired and respected.