The A.C.T Canine Association inc.
(Dogs A.C.T.) is proudly
supported through the
A.C.T Government Sports & Recreation Grant Program.

RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP.

 
Be aware that there are serious considerations,
which bear thinking about beyond the natural mechanics of reproduction.

They are the moral and practical obligations –

You owe it to yourself and those around you to be fully conversant with the amount of time the properly raised litter of pups will require. Puppies need to be fed little and often during the first three months of life. The dam of your litter will require close observation as her whelping time draws near to be sure that all is going normally and after whelping to see that she is carrying out her maternal duties normally. The new puppies will require close observation on a constant basis to ensure that none are accidentally crushed by their dam, or able to move away from her and lose body heat. The first ten days are crucial for the survival of a normal litter.

From three to four weeks the weaning of the pups will require attention at minimum intervals of three hourly, and as they become less dependent on their dam they become more dependent on their breeder for food, cleanliness and warmth or cooling, whichever is appropriate.

It is therefore not satisfactory to take on the venture of breeding dogs unless full time care of the animals will be available. If you cannot be spared from other commitments to tend the litter and you cannot have on hand a responsible person who can do so, it is better to wait until the time will be available.

Constant supervision will ensure that there is no reason for a litter of puppies to become noisy or create other nuisance to the surroundings.

As the puppies grow and the excess are offered for sale you will need to be available to show your puppies with pride, in clean, sweet smelling surroundings and to answer queries from would be purchasers. To do this you will need to make yourself conversant with proper care requirements for your particular breed, or have access to someone who can answer any questions you are unable to answer. It is simply not enough to call an end to responsibilities with the departure of the puppy with its new owner.

You must be timely and meticulous with paper work. Litter registration should be lodged with your canine controlling body, along with fees, as soon as practicable after the birth of the puppies Don’t forget each pup must have a name. Eligibility for registration lapses after 18 months.

No puppy should leave your establishment without its new owner being handed a duly completed registration form, full instructions on the rearing and care of the puppy, certificate of vaccination and further information in the event that one day this puppy may be bred from. For instance, the necessity to register a stud prefix well before mating takes place and the need to be well acquainted with information on responsible breeding practices.

Will you be in the position to replace the puppy or to refund the purchase price if the dog develops a serious hereditary defect in the first year of life? Are you prepared to educate yourself sufficiently to be aware and conversant with major research on any such defects which afflict your chosen breed?

Facilities -Cost factors -Time and labour - Veterinary attention - After sale availability

Think again on all of the above subjects. Assess your own position to attend to them. Only if you are absolutely certain that you can provide all the required finance, time and obligatory services should you embark on the journey to breeding pure bred dogs.  If you are certain that you have what it takes to be a responsible dog owner and breeder of the future, then enjoy your pastime.

ROUGH COST ESTIMATES FOR A LITTER OF SIX PUPPIES OF A POPULAR BREED.

NOTE. No allowance for labour, equipment, vet. complications, maintenance diet, vetcerts. X-rays Prefix Registration etc.etc.

THESE ARE GUIDES ONLY –
INDIVIDUALS MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION ON THE PURCHASE PRICE OF A PUP.