Should I breed my pet dog?

Casual breeding of pet dogs outside of a well structured program can result in dog overpopulation, and unhealthy or poorly tempered puppies that are not suitable for life as a pet.

 

We do not support casual breeding of pet dogs.

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This is a list of traits that a pet dog owner should consider if they are considering whether their pet might be a good dog to breed. If you think your dog has these traits, and would like to consider breeding them, we encourage you to reach out for further guidance. This list is a STARTING point, not a complete evaluation.

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Age: Dogs, like people, go through different stages of development as they grow up. Puppies, before sexual maturity, or adolescence (usually around 6-9 months) are often more open to new experiences and new people and dogs. At the onset of adolescence, new fears and behaviors may emerge. At around 15- 24 months, dogs reach what is known as "social maturity", and at that time we can see their full adult temperament. For these reasons, temperament evaluations for breeding are not reliable until at least 18 months of age. If a dog demonstrates significant aggression at any age however, they should be excluded from breeding. 

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Lack of fear/Resilience: Ideal pet dogs are able to be taken in the car, to the vet, on trips, to public places, and around strange dogs and people without being excessively fearful or aggressive.  Fear can be expressed as shivering, cowering, running away, avoiding and sometimes vocalizing (whining or barking) or urinating or defecating in severe cases. Hesitation and seeking comfort or reassurance in new environments can be acceptable, especially if the dog proceeds to explore and engage shortly after the initial hesitation. Ability to recover from frightening experiences (resilience) is very desirable in pet dogs. 

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Bite history: Dogs who snap at, snarl at, or bite humans of any age when they are scared or startled,  or when they are protecting a resource like food or toys should not be bred. Young dogs who place their mouth on things during play or to seek attention are not biting. 

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Resource Guarding: Ideal pet dogs do not guard (staring, freezing, growling, snapping, biting) from humans when in possession of a toy or food item. If they guard things from other dogs, it is not to the point of biting and is not excessive.

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Going to the Vet: able to undergo veterinary examination and routine preventive care without the need for  sedatives, behavioral medications, or having to be muzzled. 

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Response to new environments: Likes to go new places and does not bark, lunge, or hide when exposed to a new environment

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Response to new humans: Seems to enjoy meeting new people 

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Response to new dogs It is normal for mature dogs to require slow introductions to new dogs. Ideally they are able to be around strange dogs without growling or snapping after an introduction. If they like to play with new dogs as an adult, that's even better. 

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Separation: Over 6 months of age, is able to tolerate being alone for up to four hours

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• Unacceptable Behaviors: These are things that are not desired in companion breeding dogs

• submissive urination or consistent excited urination past 6 months of age

• ​compulsive behaviors such as licking, spinning, fixation on environmental stimuli

• persistent attempts to escape confinement despite adequate exercise and stimulation

• inability  to be reliably house trained by 6 months of age

• prey drive (chasing) that if unmanaged could reasonably be expected to result  in the injuring of a domesticated cat or dog

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