To breed your dog or not

[Pam C]

I usually end up posting this at the sites I am a part of (can't help it). I am not against breeders and I am all for Reputable ones!! And while I am not that familiar with dachsie problems... But with spring coming and new dog owners wanting to breed Fluffy.
Many people ask questions about how to breed their dog. They seem to think you just take a male and female throw them in the back yard and you have puppies in 58-62 days. Yes, you may end up with puppies.
They don't realize it is more complicated then this. So, if it wasn't so easy why the over population of dog in the world?
They don't look at the number of dogs that die or are injured during the mating or birthing process. In inexperience pairs the males are often serious injured by the frightened female's struggles. Who also can be injured. There is a chance for exposure to Brucellosis, which causes sterility in both sexes and can cause a litter of puppies to be aborted or die shortly after birth. The female can have problem with the birthing, which will require a caesarian section. After the birth there is a chance for the female to develop all varieties of illnesses related to the birth. And the resulting puppies are not always desirable.
This is a dog they have gotten as a pet to love and they are willing to risk it to add to the already over loaded puppy population.
I am all for reputable breeders. How else will the breed improve. If you are willing to research the pedigree (bitch and sire) and see it is going to add to the breed. Look in the line see if any of the hereditary problems are present in the lines: Corneal dystrophy, Epilepsy, Hip dysplasia, Lens luxation, Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, Osteochondritis dissecans, Osteochondrosis, Lysosomal storage diseases, Progressive retinal atrophy. It can be hard because most kennels do not want to admit these are in their lines. Honestly, look at the results, not just because you love Fido, and want one just like him/her. It won't be (try cloning for that).
Moreover, are you willing to pay out a load of money for the required testing:
Brucellosis for the parents just before breeding
OFA or PennHip
Thyroid
CERF
von Willebrand's Disease (vWD).

Not to mention; temperament testing and herding testing (this is a herding breed). Also take a critical look at the parent are they structurally sound, can they move. That is why I do conformation, it looks at the whole dog not just if it can work. I've seen cripple dogs that can work, but I wouldn't breed them. Mine included (he has been neutered).
Then after you must place the pups. What are you going to do when some comes back and wants their money back, because it wasn't what they expected? They are what the pounds are full of. A good breeder will take the pup back and rehome it.

Visit http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeding.html to really get a view on the work involved
Sorry, I was so long winded but I hate it when people want to just have a litter. Or let there kids see the miracle of life….Buy a video.

[Wienergal]

Pam, I'm with you 100 percent! I especially like your advice to those who say they want to show their kids "the miracle of life!" Geez, you can now watch human births on the Internet! No need to breed your puppy for that!

Thanks for the link and all the good info too.

[Krista]

I have concerns about this subject too. Breeding for fun or for money are not good reasons to do so. I belive that backyard breeders and are a major part of the genetic problems in dachshunds such as back problems and the eye problems our breed is predisposed to.
Good breeders will research the pedigrees five generations back and make sure that all of the known ancestors were/are free of these problems before breeding. They will also be prepared and require that puppies be returnes to them at any point that the family can no longer keep them. Good breeders are prepared for c-sections and know what to watch for when the pups are being whelped.

If anyone wants their children to see puppies being born consider fostering a pregnant dog from an animal shelter or rescue. These little girls need love and care too. They did not choose to be abandoned, neglected, left unspayed, or to become pregnant. They need help for thier own health and help to find homes for their babies.

[Pam C]

I've been in dogs for over 20 years. I am still looking for the one I would consider breeding!
I did breed one litter of sibes, when I was young and stupid. The pups all died because of vet incompetence (the same vet who want to put my dog down for a broken leg!) needless to say I changed vets. But I admit I shouldn't have breed her! She was winning in the ring and a beauty and had her obedience title. BUT she had a bad thyriod! As I said stupid!
NOW with all the testing available, I feel I am obligate to the breed and my dogs to use then. The breeds I show are dobies and Borzoi (both boys). And if they past the testing and if they get their titles (both obedience and conformation, and lure coursing for the zoi) and if I have people interested in a pup and if I find a good bitch with simaliar qualification, I will breed them. I don't feel I should if these requirements aren't meet. (Of course I will keep a pup myself!!)

[mommakind]

We recently bred our lovely two, it was a long decision coming for us. Eventually the deciding factor was that we wanted generations to come of our "kids". We had never bred dogs before, consulted several breeders including Lance's breeder, and went for it.

Unfortunately there were complications, the pups did die by Lady was saved, and only becuase we knew her so well did we know ther ewas a problem. We knew something was wrong, even though we couldn't put our finger on it.

I think allot of folks want the same thing, they want future generations of the darling s
that stole their hearts. They just do not do the proper reserch, and do not ask for help. Which we all need.

M

[Wienergal]

Mommakind, I'm very sorry for the difficulties you had and the pups that were lost.

I understand very well the desire to have more of the dogs we live with and love. But my suggestion would be to let the breeder of your dog know that your dog is healthy and has a good disposition, so that the professional breeder can breed to the same lines again. Genetics is a complicated business--even professional breeders make mistakes; it isn't as simple a matter as it might seem. I really believe that breeding is best left to the professional breeders whose goal is to strengthen and improve the breed.