Dorsetdog - Breeding from your dog

Far too many dogs are destroyed every year because of people needlessly breeding from their dog, either for human peer pressure reasons or to make money.

It is a myth that a bitch should have a litter before being spayed. Giving birth young can prevent the bitch from developing properly and could cause future problems.

For the bitch’s health, it is important that they have one season, and are then spayed halfway between that and the next season.

It is a myth that a bitch should have a litter before being spayed. Giving birth young can prevent the bitch from developing properly and could cause future problems. For the bitch’s health, it is important that they have one season, and are then spayed halfway between that and the next season.

Allowing your male dog to mate could encourage anti-social tendencies like urinating in the home, and inappropriate sexual behaviour. Bitches in heat can also escape and roam whilst looking to mate.

The Dogs Trust has since 1997 been carrying out surveys with Local Authorities (District Councils) to find out how many dogs the Dog Wardens handle each year, and what happens to those dogs.

The 2010/2011 Dogs Trust survey showed that

"This year 5,852 stray dogs were reported as having been put to sleep by authorities taking part in this survey, compared with 5,342 last year. From this figure we can estimate that approximately 7,121 dogs were put to sleep across the UK during the period of 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011.

So ask yourself

"Should I really be bringing more dogs in to this world?"

Click on this line to see the full survey

If you do decide to breed from your dog.

It is important that you consider the health condition of your dog and the dog that you wish to mate your dog with. All breeds have inherent health issues. It is important that you choose a dog that has been health tested for that breed’s conditions – and that the owner is in possession of current health certificates.

In this modern age it is imperative that you breed for health rather than just for looks or because your dog is cute.

If a dog owner claims that they have “breed out” that breeds’ health condition from their line of dogs – then you should run away as quickly as possible as they are clearly lying to you.

Some people wrongly believe that if you cross mate two purebreds then the offspring will be clear of both breeds’ inherent health defects. In reality the offspring will inherit defects from both breeds.

Remember that a dog is not a child, and shouting at the dog after the event is pointless as it has no idea what you are saying to it.

It is imperative that young puppies be socialised with as many different breeds of dog as possible so that the dog is comfortable in the presence of all dogs.

An owner who prevents a dog from socialising because someone else’s dog “is too big” is creating problems within their own dog.

Click on this line to read the Dog Trusts advice sheet on socialisation