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If you have decided to have a littler of puppies you must first
adhere to the Code of Ethics - "I will breed only for the purpose of improving
the standard of the breed, and not for the pet market or any other commercial
purpose." There is also a Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases. You must
additionally heed these requirements.
Your bitch's health is paramount. Do not use an immature bitch.
Different breeds mature at different ages, some breeds have rules pertaining to
the minimum age a bitch can be bred from. Some States also have in their code of
ethics points pertaining to consecutive litters, and also concerning the total
number of litters, without prior veterinary advice, that a bitch may whelp.
Check with your breed club or governing canine controlling body to find out the
average, best age to breed from your bitch. None should ever be bred less than
twelve months of age. Let your bitch enjoy being a puppy herself and let Mother
Nature mature the bitch so that she will be confident, both mentally and
physically, in the role she is about to play.
Many breeds of dogs now require passing certain health check and
that these be certified before you can breed your bitch. All animal species
(including humans) have genetic defects; by having all breeding stock checked
for specific problems before mating will lessen the chances of these problems
occurring. So doing ‘homework', before you launch yourself and your dog/s into
creating life, is your highest priority. Find out which hereditary problems your
breed has and which tests should be carried out before breeding. You are legally
bound to offer the pups in the best of health.
The demands of producing and feeding a litter of healthy puppies
are very exhausting on your bitch. Your bitch should be in the peak of
condition, not only during her pregnancy, but also before she is mated. Make
sure her vaccinations are up to date before mating and that she has been wormed
regularly. It is advisable to worm a bitch in her fifth or sixth week of
pregnancy. Roundworms are the most common worms passed from bitch to pups
through the milk supply and through the placenta while the pups are still in the
bitch. However, correct procedures for worming of puppies should be carried out.
Your bitch should be totally free of any parasites, especially fleas.
Because overweight bitches may have problems, both conceiving and
whelping, keep your bitch within the correct weight ranges for your breed.
Exercise the bitch regularly. A fit and healthy bitch will have strong
contractions during whelping. Muscle tone is very important during delivery of
her pups.
Some stud dog owners require the bitch to be swabbed before mating. This is a
precaution against any foreign bacteria that may be inside the bitch. Swabbing a
bitch at the first sign of swelling of the vulva, will allow time, if necessary,
to clear up any infections before mating.
THE
STUD DOG HIMSELF SHOULD ALSO BE IN THE PEAK OF PHYSICAL CONDITION BEFORE MATING.
AN OVERWEIGHT STUD DOG MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO MATE NATURALLY. ARTIFICIAL
INSEMINATION IS NOW VERY COMMON FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. THE DOG AND BITCH MAY
SIMPLY NOT LIKE EACH OTHER AND MAY HARM EACH OTHER IF BROUGHT TOGETHER. THERE
MAY BE A RISK OF INFECTION. THE STUD DOG MAY LIVE INTERSTATE OR OVERSEAS, FROZEN
AND CHILLED SEMEN IS TRANSPORTED EASILY WITH MAXIMUM SAFETY THESE DAYS.
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