There are pros and cons to every activity, and breeding dogs is no exception.
As a prospective dog breeder you will need to weigh up the pros and cons before you start.
You may have thought dog breeding was an inexpensive hobby, but in fact that is not the case.
It is a task which carries a lot of responsibility; and this includes taking care of your dog's health whether it happens to be male or female.
The decision to start breeding dogs should not be taken lightly, and it needs to be discussed with family members and your local vet.
Pros The pros of breeding a female dog are numerous, and they include the opportunity to produce good quality pups.
Remember to choose loving homes for your puppies; you don't want them to end up in an animal shelter.
You may be able to breed champion pups from your female.
Your kennel will attract more attention if one of your pups is declared a champion.
Cons You need to be aware that every breed of dog has its own characteristics; and you also need to be aware of the drawbacks you may encounter as a result.
Stud costs can be excessively high, especially if you opt for the championship bloodline.
You may have to spend hundreds or even thousands just to gain access to a purebred male.
Female dogs are weaker than males, and therefore more prone to health problems.
Some females can be injured during mating, whilst others can develop life-threatening conditions.
Your dog may die if she is left unsupervised whilst giving birth; and it is your responsibility to take care of her during this process, even if you have other matters to attend to.
When your dog becomes pregnant you will be liable for further vet expenses because of the need for regular check-ups.
You will also have to pay for extra vaccinations and veterinary costs as and when required.
These expenses can add up to thousands of dollars depending on the frequency of treatment and the number of visits to the clinic.
The puppies are also prone to health problems, and you may want to make arrangements with the owner of the stud in case any issues arise.
Problems or faults with the puppies are normally attributed to the male.
The cost of vaccinations and food for the puppies can also be very high.
You are responsible for providing the pups with high quality food, and you will also need to make sure the female regains her strength after the birth.
These issues may involve further visits to the clinic.
Another thing to remember with females is they are prone to ongoing health problems.
You need to be on the lookout for ovarian and breast cancers as these conditions are more common once the female has given birth.
Have you given any thought to the costs involved in dog breeding? You may find that once you've paid all your expenses you're not left with a great deal of profit, especially if you're only working on a small scale.
If, on the other hand, you are breeding dogs for your own personal pleasure it can be a very rewarding activity.
So is dog breeding right for you? You need to think about this question very carefully, and weigh up all the pros and cons before you make your decision.