How to become a dog breeder

Breeding purebred dogs remains a popular hobby, with an income generating opportunity. Perhaps it will become a matter of life for you too? We offer to figure out where to start the breeder and what difficulties may arise.

What conditions must be met to become a breeder

At its simplest, you become a breeder the moment your owned or rented pedigreed bitch has puppies. The main condition is that both parents must be allowed to breed. Such admission is issued by one or another cynological association, and the larger and more solid it is, the higher the puppies will be valued. The most prestigious in Russia:

• Russian Cynological Federation (RKF), which is the official representative of the International Cynological Federation FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale);

• The Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia (SCOR), which is the official representative of the International Cynological Federation IKU (International Kennel Union)

Each association has its own, although similar criteria for admission to breeding. In particular, the RKF has the following:

• At the time of mating, the female must be no older than 8 years and no younger than 18, 20 or 22 months, depending on the size of the breed. There are no age restrictions for males.

• The presence of a pedigree recognized by the federation.

• Two marks for conformation not less than “very good” at certificate shows and two marks from breeding shows.

• Successful completion of behavior testing or trials and competitions, depending on the breed.

Is it necessary to be a veterinarian?

There are no such requirements for private breeders, but this is a prerequisite when opening a nursery. So, in the RKF they require zootechnical or veterinary education, in the SCOR – cynological or veterinary education. The owner of the nursery gets more powers: he can arrange matings and activate litters, has the right to his own brand, keeps a stud book. True, and membership dues are higher.

What is a factory prefix

This is a kind of trademark of the breeder. It is not necessary to issue a factory prefix, but it is a good advertisement, as it is added to the nickname of each puppy born to you. To get a factory prefix, you need to come up with it (moreover, several options are better in case some are already taken) and submit an application to the cynological association.

What myths do newbies face?

Becoming a breeder is easy

This occupation requires a lot of effort and time, and it is not easy to combine it with other work. You will be required not only to take care of the dogs, but also to participate in exhibitions, communicate with other breeders, and constantly improve your knowledge about the breed. It is worth taking a course of cynologists.

Very profitable

Most of the income from the sale of puppies is eaten up by the content of their parents, as well as exhibitions and paperwork. This business is worth doing if you love dogs very much – it will hardly bring super-profits.

Dogs have easy births

A good breeder always invites a veterinarian to give birth: the selection of thoroughbred dogs has led to changes in their constitution, and childbirth often takes place with complications. So, dogs with large heads relative to body size (bulldogs, Pekingese) often have to do a caesarean section.

New litter appears twice a year

Such frequent births cause irreparable damage to the health of the bitch and lead to the birth of weak puppies with poor breed qualities. In addition, the Cynological Association does not recognize mating. For example, according to the rules of the RKF, the interval between births should be at least 300 days, and in a lifetime a female can give birth no more than 6 times (recommended – 3).

Who are black breeders

So called unscrupulous breeders who:

• keep dogs in poor, unsanitary conditions, walk little, save on food and treatment;
• females are bred at each estrus, while reducing the intervals between estrus with the help of hormonal preparations;
• carry out inbreeding, due to which puppies are born with serious genetic abnormalities.

Of course, cynological associations quickly suppress such activities, so black breeders, as a rule, do not draw up pedigrees of dogs and sell puppies without documents.

Fighting such “colleagues” is a matter of honor for every animal-loving competent breeder.