Whether because you think your dog might enjoy parenthood; you like them so much you would like to have a mini-version of them; you’ve heard it is good for their health; breeding seems like a good financial investment; or you love puppies and would like the experience, there are many reasons, as a pet owner, you may want to breed a litter from your dog. 

However, breeding is a huge responsibility and it should certainly be very carefully thought of. In the end of this article, you will have some points to consider. And will be better equipped to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision.

Table of contents

Let’s talk genetics!

By breeding your bitch, you will be randomly “copying” some of her genes into further generations of dogs. Although it is easy to forget, males contribute 50% of the puppies’ genetic code. So, of course, choosing the right male is as important as considering whether your bitch would be a good candidate for breeding.

Calm and friendly temperaments, athleticism, medium to long noses with wide nares, healthy short to medium coats, correct dental occlusion and good general health and absence of disease are overall, with some breed variations, good traits to perpetuate. 

Presence of congenital defects should sound alarm bells, and suggest that a dog isn’t suitable for breeding. Such traits include:

  • Heritable health issues such as prognathism (uneven jaw lengths), cleft palates, umbilical hernias, heart murmurs, cryptorchidism (retained testicles) or angular limb deformities
  • Behavioural traits, such as a nervous or aggressive temperament
  • Physical characteristics that affect the dog’s quality of life such as brachycephalism or coats that are inappropriate for the environment you live in. For example very thick undercoat in a dog that lives in a tropical environment 
  • Presence of specific genetic health problems such as allergies, chondrodystrophy (a condition that predisposes dogs for slip discs), hip dysplasia, cancer, osteoarthritis, etc. 

Regardless of whether these conditions can be managed medically or fixed with surgery, or how mild or “normal for the breed” they may seem, it is irresponsible to breed dogs with characteristics that require veterinary attention and/or negatively affect their quality of life. And it should not be done under any circumstances.

Is your dog a good candidate for breeding?

Apart from the genetic considerations discussed above, there are other individual factors that should be weighed. To be bred from, a dog should be the right age (between two and seven years old on average, but it varies), be healthy, have the right physical conformation and not have suffered from pelvic injuries in the past, for example. Always consult your vet before deciding to breed from your dog.

You are confident you have two suitable dogs to breed from. But do you have all it takes to be a breeder?

From choosing the right dogs, to doing genetic tests when necessary, monitoring the bitch’s ovulation cycle, choosing the right reproductive technique for you and your dog, providing them with appropriate nutrition and health care, knowing how and when to intervene during labour, supporting your dog through lactation and, of course, looking after up to 12 puppies for 8 weeks, breeding requires a lot of knowledge, time, hard work and cost. It is a labour of love and, when done well, it almost never compensates financially.

When making a decision, ask yourself if you have the availability and financial means to go through the entire process if things go smoothly. But also consider that complications requiring medical or surgical intervention. Such as the need for caesarean; management of gestational diabetes; mastitis; retained placenta; and correction of puppies potential birth defects are fairly common and can be costly and devastating. You will also be expected by an informed new owner to provide all your puppies with their first vaccines and microchipping. And to have the experience to assist them with the transition to a new home.

“I have been told it’s good for the bitch’s health to let them have one litter”, but is it?

This is a very common conversation in the consultation room, however it is a myth. 

Spaying female dogs before their first season has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of mammary cancer and pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus); two very common and life-threatening conditions. By removing the dog’s ovaries, the risk of ovarian cancer is completely eliminated too. On the other hand, spaying dogs prematurely increases the risk of urinary incontinence and interferes with joint development. 

These pros and cons depend largely on the breed and size of the dog. They should certainly be discussed with your vet. However there is no available scientific evidence corroborating the idea that having a litter positively affects the health or well-being of female dogs. This should not be a reason for breeding.

Summary

Breeding a dog successfully can be a very rewarding experience for pet owners. However it is an extremely challenging undertaking with the potential to result in negative consequences for you and your loved pet. 

For this reason, it should always be carefully considered and only done under the absolute perfect conditions; from the right candidates and by someone with the knowledge, time and financial abilities to provide bitch and puppies the care they deserve.

Further reading