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.