All the reasons NOT to breed your dog.
By elysiamarie
@elysiamarie (147)
Canada
November 11, 2010 12:55pm CST
Feeling the temptation of little puppies running around your home? Looking at your female pet, and thinking of a mate for her? Please read on.
First off, above and beyond all advice you get online, ALWAYS go to your vet before determining weather or not to breed your dog. They will examine your dogs and inform you, in their professional opinion how safe it is for your dog in particular to breed.
Their are many risks. To mother, to the puppies, and to your savings account.
Firstly, your dog has bred with too large a male,or is too small to breed and the puppies cannot pass. C-section. $1000-$1500. Don't have it? Watch your dog suffer in pain until her little heart beats no more.
Have the money? Were able to borrow it? Great! Your dog also risks dying on the operating table, especially if she is a small breed. Your dog and puppies still die? You still pay for the operation. Not only are you living with the guilt of causing the death of your pet that you claimed to love and her puppies to be, but also you get to pay for it with your hard earned money.
Secondly, Puppy deformities. Water puppies and the like. The puppy grows abnormally huge. The puppy blocks the mothers birth passage. Again, emergency surgery. Again, the puppy almost never survives and the mother has a nice risk of dying herself. So again, you live with the guilt of being the cause of death for the pet you declared to take care of, and the expense.
Thirdly, Overpopulation. Enough said. Do your research. Find out the percentage of puppies that will end up in the pound in your litter-to-be. And then the percentage of your puppies that will be put down due to over population. Why create life for it to be destroyed?
There are so many good arguments on why not to do it. You will not make good money. You can only breed your dog once a year. Five puppies are $500, $2500 for a year. How about you go out to McDonalds, get hired part-time, and earn money instead of risking your beloved pets life? You will make more working at McDonalds part time in a year than you will from breeding your dog.
I know there are many more reasons. I know a lot of you can add to this topic. Let's spread awareness! Add to this discussion if you love your pets!
2 people like this
6 responses
@uncorrectedvision (100)
• United States
13 Nov 10
Reasonable objections all. I would breed a dog only if I was so enamored of a breed as to believe the world would be a much better place with more of that breed. I do have several favorite breeds and would someday like to mix those breeds to produce doggies that would exhibit the desired characteristics. This is far from breeding a pet. It is much more like breeding livestock. A pet is so much closer to us that breeding a pet puts her at risk.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112876)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Jun 21
I keep mine spayed or neutered, no way am I risking my companion or the rescues, there're too many homeless pets out there to begin with.
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
11 Nov 10
Excelent topic! Congratulations for your idea and for the way you post it!
I'd add only two things:
- the mess the puppies make until they are old enough to leave to their new homes (in case that you were able to find proper homes for all of them).
- the fact that you don't earn too much from a litter, you should consider (after all the expenses elysiamarie mentioned above) the costs of better food for both the mother and the puppies, the costs of the puppies' first shots and dewormings, the costs for registering the litter, the costs for the treatment the mother may need to get back in shape after all the stress she's been thru and much more.
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
11 Nov 10
Oh I hate those vets who say "let the nature take its course"!
I met such so called "Vets" too many times, I'm afraid.
Once I met some when I first wanted to spay my previous dog. They say it's un-natural and I have to let her have at least a litter. 
Fortunatelly I found other responsible vet who accepted to spay her before having any litter.
The next time I had to meet such vets was when she got old and ill, and those "vets" said I had to stop searching for a treatment because she's old and it's not worthwhile. I was lucky to find a young vet with whom we fought against the illnes until it was nothing else to do.
The last time I met a "let nature take its course" vet it was few weeks ago, when I told to a vet I want to spay my dog. He said I shouldn't spay her, especially that she's already a national junior champion. He said that I should let the nature take its course, and, when she gives birth to 10 or more puppies, I will have to kill most of them and keep only as many puppies as engagements I have.
I wonder why those persons became vets, aren't they supposed to work in the interest of the animals?
Fortunatelly I found other responsible vet who accepted to spay her before having any litter.
The next time I had to meet such vets was when she got old and ill, and those "vets" said I had to stop searching for a treatment because she's old and it's not worthwhile. I was lucky to find a young vet with whom we fought against the illnes until it was nothing else to do.
The last time I met a "let nature take its course" vet it was few weeks ago, when I told to a vet I want to spay my dog. He said I shouldn't spay her, especially that she's already a national junior champion. He said that I should let the nature take its course, and, when she gives birth to 10 or more puppies, I will have to kill most of them and keep only as many puppies as engagements I have.
I wonder why those persons became vets, aren't they supposed to work in the interest of the animals?@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
12 Nov 10
I don't know if there are vets like this in your country, but I think I found the reason they recommend to have at least a litter before spaying a female dog. You'll be surprised to find out that the reason is ... money!
If they spay a dog, they will earn only for the surgery.
But if they are in charge (to say so) of a whole litter, this will bring a lot of money: for assisting the female at birth, for the treatment following the birth, for the first shots of the puppies and so on.
It's sad to know that there are people who chosed this job only for money. They don't really care about the animal's good.
If they spay a dog, they will earn only for the surgery.
But if they are in charge (to say so) of a whole litter, this will bring a lot of money: for assisting the female at birth, for the treatment following the birth, for the first shots of the puppies and so on.
It's sad to know that there are people who chosed this job only for money. They don't really care about the animal's good.
@trickiwoo (2702)
• United States
11 Nov 10
So true! Also, dogs that are NOT spayed or neutered are more likely to develop certain cancers, have behavioral problems, mark inside your house, etc.
Breeding your dog definitely puts your dog at risk! It should definitely be left to professionals with lots of experience. Dog breeding is meant to pass along certain traits and better the breed of the dog. It is NOT meant for "I want to take a cute dog and breed it with another cute dog and make cute puppies!!!"
If dog breeding is something you're seriously interested in, get started by getting involved with dog shows and kennel clubs. Really immerse yourself in the purebred dog community and gain experience by working with other breeders. Really know what you're doing and what you're getting into before you start breeding. It's not an easy job and it costs a LOT of money... and you don't make that much money. Breeders don't get into breeding because it's a great financial opportunity... they do it because they truly love their breed of dog and want to make it better.
And if you've decided not to breed your dog (which is an extremely responsible decision), then get your dog spayed or neutered. It's better for you and it's better for your pet.
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
12 Nov 10
Couldn't agree more! And if we love our pets then we shouldn't put them into too much stress! Getting pregnant can really stressed out our dogs and it's too risky for them too. So if we love them, let's not just breed for fun. Be responsible and love your pet!
@zjdway (25)
• Qingdao, China
11 Nov 10
I want to breed a dog now.For many years i want to have a lovely dog,but i lived in university.But that was unallowed.Now,i have a job and live only.maybe it is a good time to have a dog.What i worried are: could i feed the puppy well,in the work time how to breed it,will the puppy make my house dirty.The puppy need more care like a baby.but i have to work 8 hours every day.Hope someone can give me some advise.I should learn more about dog.
Have a good day.
@elysiamarie (147)
• Canada
12 Nov 10
I would recommend stopping buy your local animal rescue, or shelter and talk to them about rescuing a dog. Imagine being a hero to an animal. I think you can do it! Don't forget to spay and neuter.
Good luck!
@ChrissyLynn2587 (9)
• United States
12 Nov 10
Love this article. I have a boxer and I have had a few people ask me if I want to breed her with there boxer and I have always said no. I am afraid something may happen to her during pregnancy or when she goes into labor. I am also afraid of what type of home the puppies would end up in, there are people out here who will purchase a dog for hundreds of dollars yet treat it like crap.
I think people should go to shelters and rescues to see if they can find a dog they like there first. I searched for almost a year for my boxer before buying the two I got from a breeder. I purchased one for me and one for my father as a gift. Every boxer I found in a shelter or rescue was either not good with children or not good with cats which I have both. People always want to get a puppy because they are little and cute BUT people need to think and realize that puppy is not going to stay a puppy forever and a plus to getting a dog from a shelter or rescue is that most are usually house trained.
@elysiamarie (147)
• Canada
12 Nov 10
Aww! Your boxer sounds adorable! All my dogs are small, but I have always thought that boxers look like big babies! Rottweilers as well.
Thank you for your post!
