Selecting A Breed

Potential breeders who are looking to break into the world of breeding for fun, profit, to maintain the integrity of a particular breed or a combination of these reasons will likely be faced with a number of difficult decisions before they start breeding. The first decision will be to determine what type of breed they are interested in breeding. There may be a number of factors which contribute to making this type of decision. This article will discuss a number of the factors which may contribute to the process of selecting a breed.

For some potential breeders there is a love for a particular breed which drives them to break into the world of breeding. They may already own a number of dogs and bitches of a particular breed and enjoy working with this breed. When this is the case the potential breeder is typically driven by a desire to produce the highest quality puppies of this particular breed. For example a potential breeder who is interested in hunting dogs such as Labrador Retrievers or English Setters may be determined to begin breeding puppies which have a physical structure and temperament which helps them to excel as hunting companions. Likewise a breeder of a toy breed such as the Pomeranian or Pekingese may be interested in producing puppies which will excel either in the show ring, as companion dogs or both. If the potential breeder already has intact dogs or bitches free of traits they would not want to pass on to future litters there may be no need to acquire additional dogs. However, if the potential breeder does not have intact bitches or dogs free of negative traits they will have to begin searching for dogs or bitches to use for breeding purposes.

Some potential breeders will select a breed based on potential for profit. Breeds that typically produce large litters and also typically sell for a high price may be of interest to these types of breeders. This is because even if the breeder only produces one litter each year, the income generated from this litter will be larger than the income generated from litters that are less in demand and breeds that typically produce smaller litters. Of course there is more involved in the costs of producing these litters and the income is not merely a factor of the size of the litter multiplied by the fee for each puppy. The potential breeder will have to consider stud dog fees, fees for obtaining health certifications, the cost of pre-natal care for the bitch and the cost of feeding and caring for the puppies. Potential breeders who want to begin breeding for profit should avoid selecting breeds that typically require artificial insemination or c-sections because these procedures can be costly.

There are certainly some potential breeders who use the cuteness factor in selecting a breed. There are certainly some who will argue that all puppies are cute but there are also some people who have a particular fondness for a certain breed. Whether it is the big droopy ears of the Beagle that draws them in or the dignified look of a German Shepherd certain breeds just seem to appeal to some people more than others. There is nothing wrong with breeding for a particular look as long as this is tempered with responsibility. A bitch with an adorable face and great markings should not be bred based on her looks alone. If she also has dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy she should be spayed so these disorders are not passed on to future litters. Likewise a bitch that is free of all genetic disorders and structurally sound would be an ideal candidate for breeding even if her coloring or markings are not ideal.

Finally, all potential breeders should be careful to do diligent research before making a final decision on a breed. This will help to ensure the potential breeder learns as much as possible about a particular breed before attempting a first breeding. Armed with this knowledge the breeder can make the best possible decisions for the well being of the mother and the puppies. It will also help the breeder to choose ideal homes for the puppies.