Responsible Dog Breeding

Responsible Dog Breeding….. Eight weeks of full time puppy care!

July 2009


So, you are thinking of having a litter of pups from your lovely female canine companion? Well, consider it carefully as it is a lot of work and a healthy amount of cash outlay before you start. Never ever have pups because you think it would be ‘good for the children!’

The responsible time to breed the bitch is after her 2nd heat, and preferably have prospective homes booked for the pups before you start the process. Hips and elbows need to be x-rayed and sent to Onderstepoort for assessment and certification. (This is done by a specialist radiologist) Eyes need to be tested by a specialist and another certificate collected, stating that there is no eye disease evident. In some cases DNA samples need to be sent to USA for clarification. Now we are down thousands in the bank balance. If the bitch is sound with perfect bone and joint structure, the time has come to select a suitable mate. This requires careful perusal of the intended sires pedigree, eyes, hip and elbow clearance certificates, temperament and character, including discussions with the intended sires owner, who has every right to deny a mating.

Right, so here we go, sire is chosen, vet assesses the readiness of the bitch with daily fanny swabs and peering through the microscope, phone calls to the sire’s mummy, leap into the car and dash off for the mating ordeal, (a frightfully clinical affair with both sets of owners in attendance) and another healthy amount of cash outflow. Some breeders fly their bitches to a mating and some have AI (artificial insemination) done using selected dogs from anywhere in the world.

Okay, so now we wait for approx 63 days, making sure the beloved family companion is happy, well exercised, proper nourishment, has the choice sofa in the lounge to loll upon, and perhaps around the 21st day after mating have an ultra-sound done to see if little puppy bundles are starting to develop. Don’t forget she likes lots of raw minced tripe and raw chicken necks on her food plate.

Then one needs to prepare an adequately sized whelping box and area to have the pups…the maternity ward. Prepare yourself for the pain you will endure during the bitch’s labor, (it can be quite long, so have your Rescue Remedy at hand; you will need it) particularly if you have given birth yourself, and pray it all goes well with no midnight call out to your vet, or perish the thought, a caesarian that again will hit the bank balance in a dramatically negative way.

Get advice from your vet about the birth on where you can be of help to the mother. Have a few necessary instruments ready and some cotton wool and swabs. I have had an occasion where mum chewed the umbilical cord, as she should do, and it spouted blood. Be ready to grab the pup, and pinch that tiny bleeding umbilical cord between your fingers (a bit messy) until it stops. Make sure pup is breathing, give it a shake if it is not, Rub it vigorously to dry it off and stimulate it ..

Depending on the breed, your mother will probably do what nature intended for her and cope with it all herself. Be there to reassure her. It is a very moving experience.
Do not fret and fuss over her. Talk in soft soothing tones and do not let the neighbors, and their children in to watch. I mean how would you like to have the neighborhood in yakking and chirping while you are heaving and writhing and popping out babies? This is a special bond between you and your mother dog.

Have a note book and scribble down the time and sex of each pup. You need the time as you might have to call the vet, who will want to know details.

The birth is over. You will be totally exhausted. Now go and make a cup of tea and lie on the bed watching her cuddle with her kids. Then go phone the world and hit the computer to announce the arrival of your babies. Include photos. It is great news so do not worry if it is midnight, your friends will be itching to hear the news.

Watching a bitch with her newborn pups is an emotional experience. The love in her eyes, and her amazing natural instinct to care for and clean her pups is heartwarming. The pups grow rapidly and around 3-4wks old have to be moved to larger and very safe quarters. Here the real work begins, with weaning, feeding, cleaning endless puppy poop and pees and going through tons of newspaper a dozen or more times a day. Pups now need toys and items to amuse them, and lots of attention and playtime with them, to get well adjusted and nicely socialized pups, to hand on to their next family. Toys can include cardboard toilet rolls, thick knotted ropes, cardboard boxes to climb into, onto, and chew up. Hard rubber puppy toys. Balls, and things that roll and squeak.

Kennel Union Of South Africa fees and membership must be up to date and now the naming of the pups and myriad forms need to be filled in. There is a hefty registration fee for each pup, so best you do not have a huge litter, because by now you are hitting the high numbers in the bank account.

Watching the little bundles grow, learning to walk, finding their vocal chords, the first growl and bark is a delight. Observing their characters, and quirky habits develop is fascinating. Having them all rush up with excitement and play around ones ankles, with constantly wagging tails is a real joy and rewarding experience. Bless em all.


Now to compare breeding dogs to having ones own kids! You get to choose the best and most handsome well bred husband, thus checking the pedigree of intended grandchildren to make sure they are pretty much perfect and very smart; can make sure you get on with the in-laws; decide when the grandkids will be born; can choose their names, and then select who they will live with and at eight weeks they are all out of the house, well adjusted and beautiful babies!

Penn
July 2009