Breed Show Dogs

If you are a breeder, breeding pure-bred dogs to contribute to health and conformation (from the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club standards) to your favorite breed, read this article!

If you are breeding your household pets for fun, get out of town! There are too many homeless animals already! You should only breed if you are a breeder with AKC, UKC, or other kennel clubs registered dogs, breeding for confomation showing, obedience, agility, other dog sports or for what the dog was bred to do (example: Earthdog Trials for the Fox Terrier).

[edit] The Dog (male stud) or Bitch (female dam) for the Purpose (health and conformation)

Make sure your dog or bitch contributes to the breed standard. (check on www.akc.org and click into the "breeds" section).
You should already be showing your dog, if you are a first time breeder, enter your dog or bitch into local shows, then county shows, then tri-county shows, then state shows, then national shows (after that you can go onto world shows). Before you breed, make sure your dog or bitch has the Champion Title (this is earned from 15 show points and two majors. A major is winning a show with at least three or more points.) or your bitch or dog has at least 10 show points.
Bring your dog to the vet and check it for major health problems found typically in the breed. For example, if you have a Saint Bernard, make sure it is tested for Hip Dysplasia, gastric torsion (bloat), elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), and entropion and ectropion (minor eyelid disorders). If any of the test results come out positive, face it. Don't breed your dog. You will just be contributing to many sad people losing their beloved and expensive purebred dogs.

[edit] Finding the Stud or Brood Bitch

Let's say you only have the bitch or the stud. You can't have puppies with just one! Read this section to find the right brood bitch or stud.

Go into the breeder classifieds of Dog Fancy Magazine, Dog World Magazine, or the AKC Gazette. For example, if you have a English Springer Spaniel bitch and you are looking for a stud, look at the breeder classifieds for "English Springer Spaniel" in your magazine.
Find an ad that attracts your eye, for example: Home of Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, at stud.
Go onto their website. Look at all their dogs. Do they have their champion title? Have they produced any other champions?
Find the dog (or bitch!) you like (liking in meaning, the best show history). Or you can just like him because he is cute too!
Contact the breeder/owner through email, or on telephone. Tell them this : Hi, my name is ____(fill in the blank)_____. I am interested in having your dog, ____(fill in the blank)_____ sire a litter with my dog, ____(fill in the blank)___, for ____(fill in the blank)____ purposes. She has a great show history, and please contact me back! My number is _____(fill in the blank)____ and my email is ____(fill in the blank)____. Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Remember, stud fees can be as much as $1,000! So, be sure you have enough money! (although most stud fees can be as little as $100.)

[edit] The Breeding

Finally! After all your hard work through showing, contacting, finding the stud or dam, and all, the time has come to breed your dog/bitch.

First, you have to make sure the bitch is in heat. Breed her inbetween the fifth and tenth day.
With both dogs on leash, let them first meet each other. Let them sniff, wag, and even play. After the greeting, in a fenced or enclosed area, let them off leash.
The female will try to "entice" the male into mounting her. She does this by moving her tail to the side.
After a number of seconds, the male will mount the female.
Let him mount, and let them do their business.
After a few minutes, they will be "tied". (this is when they are stuck together). The tie can last anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes. If this is your female's first breeding, she may get frightened, and start to pull away. This will hurt the male. DON'T LET HER DO THIS! Calm the female, stroke her fur, and finally, she will relax. The tie is essential to making the female pregnant.
Do this two times.
After the mating, both dogs will be exhausted, so let them lay down, and give them food and drink. After they rest, they may want to do the cycle again.
Let them do the mounting and tie twice or three times the first day, twice the second day, and once the third day. This will ensure her pregnancy.

[edit] Tips

When first buying your dog/bitch, make sure that it is healthy and sound. Buy it as a puppy, and start showing when you can. Buy it from a breeder.
Breed dogs when they are two years old at the LEAST. Stop breeding dogs when they are about six 1/2.
Each female dog (except for Basenjis) go into heat twice a year. They can have up to two litters per year.