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Sometimes, people who buy a purebred dog think that by breeding it, they will be able to make money from the sale of puppies. Other times people want to breed dogs because they want a puppy themselves. But there are many considerations associated with breeding that make it less than ideal for most dog owners. If you are thinking of breeding your dog, consider the following: - Canine pregnancies last approximately 9 weeks, and the puppies will need to stay with their mother for 6 to 8 weeks after birth. That’s 3 to 4 months of extra effort for you.
- During pregnancy and nursing, the mother will eat significantly more food, and depending on what you normally feed, you may need to buy a more energy-dense food for the duration. Once the puppies get a little older, they’ll all need solid food too.
- The actual birth can involve complications. You will need to be trained to recognize the signs and get help if it is needed. Puppies and sometimes even the mother dogs can die during birthing.
- Complications can be expensive, so money needs to be put aside just in case.
- The mother and puppies will need near-constant attention at the time of birth and immediately after.
- Once the pups are weaned, your clean-up will increase dramatically. You’ll need to stock up on newspaper, paper towels and rubber gloves and plan on spending a couple of hours a day just trying to keep up with the clean-up necessary in the puppy pen.
- Puppies need to stay with their mothers until at least 6 weeks of age, and longer is better. She has important things to teach them that no one else can, so don’t rush placing pups in their new homes just because it is hard work for you.
- Finding good homes for the puppies can be difficult, especially if you are trying to sell them. Some potential buyers will expect you to pay for vaccinations, veterinary care and a checkup before they buy a puppy.
For these reasons, as well as their knowledge of bloodlines, it is recommended that experienced, well-equipped professional breeders, people who have made a significant investment in training, facilities and time, handle the breeding of puppies. Caring for the pregnant dog, birthing the puppies, and raising the puppies to a level at which they can be separated from their mother is a very involved, costly and time-intensive task for which most casual dog owners are ill prepared. Consult with your veterinarian for more information and advice if you are considering breeding dogs. You may also want to meet with other breeders or breed clubs in your area.
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