Dog breeding requires skill, knowledge, and passion. To breed a healthy litter, you need to be patient and study the art carefully. Fortunately, the friendly veterinarians from Hilton Veterinary Hospital in Hilton, NY, have been breeding dogs for generations, and are pleased to help you along your journey. If you’re interested in dog breeding, you should first learn the basics.

Dog Breeding 101

Set Goals

Responsible dog breeders believe in “breeding to improve.” Rather than simply adding more dogs to the species, you should prioritize improving the species. Before deciding to breed your dog, take stock of any and all flaws, from health problems to temperament issues. If you wish to proceed with breeding your dog, it’s important to find a mate that will help eliminate or balance out those flaws.

If you’ve had several dogs over the years, it’s easier to analyze your canine as well as potential mates objectively. However, all owners can benefit from participating in a dog show to see how their pal measures up against the best-in-breed.

Commit Your Time & Resources

Raising puppies is a tremendous commitment. If you have a busy schedule, you may want to reconsider. Each puppy will require genetic screening, health tests and regular medical care on top of food and supplies. These costs can add up quickly, so make sure you can meet the financial demand beforehand.

Find Loving Owners

Once you’ve weaned the puppies and are ready to adopt them, you need to take care to ensure they go to loving families for life. This means you must carefully screen and evaluate every interested individual. You must be prepared to explain why a big, active dog may not be appropriate for someone who lives in a small apartment, or why a dog that requires a lot of coat maintenance should not go to someone with a busy work schedule. Part of responsible breeding means ensuring each puppy goes to a “forever” home. 

Dr. Timothy Bostley of Hilton Veterinary Hospital provides reproductive and ICSB-NY services that help ensure legal, responsible and successful dog breeding. From reproductive exams to artificial insemination, the veterinarian can help you every step of the way. To learn more, call the pet hospital today at (585) 392-2937 or visit their website for more information about the reproductive veterinarian.