Page 120 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3

Breeding

7. All else being 10.
equal, choose a
middle-aged or
older sire over a
young one. Ask about breeding terms.

Young dogs may not have reached Most stud owners will ask for either a fee or a puppy,
maturity, and also may be too usually second pick. If your bitch is to stay with the stud
young to be affected by age- owner, does boarding cost extra? Is there a fee if she
related health problems. Very old must be picked up from the airport? If the stud owner is
dogs have shown they can live to to get a puppy, at what age will it be chosen? Ask about
old age. However, they may have what constitutes a litter, and what arrangements are
problems with sperm quality. made in case no litter results. What sort of pre-breeding
tests are required?

8. Once you’ve
narrowed down
your choices,
contact the
owners.
It’s better to contact only real
contenders; other owners won’t
appreciate a shotgun approach,
especially if they send you lots
of information and you never get
back to them. Be prepared to
tell them about your bitch, and
either show her to them or supply
pictures. Explain what you hope to
achieve with the litter and when
you plan to breed.

9. Ask to see the Your priorities will differ according to your situation and

breeding goals. For example, if you’re breeding for show
stud’s genetic
test & other
aspects. If you’re breeding for pets, you’ll want to
health results. dogs, you’ll be less likely to compromise on conformation
emphasize temperament and health over conformation.
You should already be familiar If you plan to keep in touch with the stud owner, as most
with the hereditary problems breeders of competition dogs do, then you may even factor
in your breed and any available in how well you get along with him or her.
tests for them. Ask about the
health and longevity of the stud’s Remember, just as no dog is perfect, no stud choice is
siblings and ancestors. Give perfect. But doing the best research you can may raise
preference to a dog whose owner your chances of perfect puppies.
seems upfront about possible
problems.

120 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024