To Breed or Not to Breed...

Over the years Black Ice Kennels^® has had inquiries from many well-meaning folks who have shared that (for one reason or another) they want to "get into breeding dogs." Many of these reasons have absolutely caused our hair to stand up on end! Now - please do not misunderstand. We always listen carefully and then politely explain the problem with their idea or goal. However, we cannot (in good conscience) listen to folks who "want to share nature's reproduction experience with their children" or who want to "get into the business and make a lot of money" without setting the record straight.

Each year hundreds of thousands of dogs are euthanized in shelters or die on the streets. Of course, no one ever imagines that this will happen to a litter that they breed - but it does - and it quite possibly will.

Breeding is not just putting two cute dogs together and two months later you have cuddly pups. Responsible breeding requires work. It does NOT make the owners rich or financially secure (in fact, it is usually the opposite).  And, it is not to be jumped into headfirst by amateurs.

First - a responsible breeder absolutely knows their breed's standards. Each dog has a standard that states what the ideal specimen of that breed should look, move and act like. It covers everything from teeth to tail including color, markings, structure and much more. A dog not fitting the standard should not be considered for breeding.

Second - a responsible breeder gets out and shows their dogs. Just because you think the dog may fit the standard, does not mean it is a good breed representative. Only by having the dog evaluated many times can you truly get a feeling your dog is breeding material.

Third - a responsible breeder knows the pedigrees (in detail) of the specimens they are contemplating breeding. A responsible breeder will research pedigrees and talk to other breeders to find the best possible matches. This can be a big undertaking. And just because a dog is winning all over the country does not mean he is the best. It may just mean he (or she) is being shown loads; chances are by a well-known handler, and everyone wants to breed to him (or get a pup from her). This dog may not be the best – just the most popular at the time. Do not be blinded by wins.

Fourth - a responsible breeder will test dogs for things like hips, thyroid, eye problems (eye should be tested yearly on breeding stock) and whatever problems are common to their specific breed. If something is suspected, the dog is not bred. They also require testing for the dog they intend to breed to. Both dogs also must be current on all inoculations.

Fifth - a responsible breeder accepts risks and limitations to breeding. Breeding is not all happy. Dogs of both genders must be fully mature and in top shape before breeding.

Sixth - a responsible breeder is willing to be in close contact with their vet from the moment of mating. There is so much that can happen including nutrition concerns and pregnancy and nursing is taxing on the female body. There are risk factors – some breeds are prone to birth complications and almost always require medical intervention. Many breeders will have their vet x-ray (radiograph) a pregnant female to get an idea of how many pups, their placement, etc. A big pup could get stuck in the birth canal. A retained pup (not born for some reason) can die and cause massive infection as it decays. A female may die during delivery. Are you willing to hand rear a litter of pups? This is NOT easy and very tiring. What if your female has poor mothering instincts? Will you take over? Are you willing to accept that you could lose your dog and her puppies? What if one is born deformed or has a problem show up weeks down the road – then what? Are you willing to have you children see the "miracle of death"?

We have only touched on a few important points - there volumes devoted to responsible breeding. Whether you own a male or female, you must act responsibly. Do not breed haphazardly. Do not breed to get a dog "just like Fluffy" – it won't happen. Do not breed to produce crosses (Labra-doodles, peke-a-poos, etc.). Do not breed if you cannot devote the time and money to do it responsibly. If you cannot ensure good, loving homes for pups (they do not go to pet stores or get dumped at shelters or given to just anyone), DO NOT BREED!

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