Considerations Prior to Breeding Your Pet
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The holidays are behind us and concentration turns once again to our furry family members who patiently took a backseat to the seasonal madness. Spring is almost here, and decisions need to be made! To Breed or Not to Breed. That is the question! Please give this careful consideration; it is a much bigger step than you might think! If you are unsure whether breeding should be in your future, read on.
You think your dog is so beautiful, you must breed her! Beauty is certainly a desirable attribute, but it carries little weight in the breeding arena. Most dogs, even purebred, should not be bred. Defects of personality, structure, and health need serious consideration and should not be perpetuated. Breeding should only be done with the goal of BREED IMPROVEMENT!
When breeding is done correctly, it is not a money making proposition! Just a few of the expenses to consider: extra food, stud fees, advertising, vaccines, proof of health/quality and de-worming. All of these are in addition to any health care needs the bitch may incur before, during, or after delivery.
The experience would be so educationally rewarding…will you still think that way when the labor begins with painful howling at 3:00 am? Try catching one of the birthing programs instead on the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet. They are televised during a more convenient time, and their experience always has a positive outcome! (and you won’t have to clean up the mess afterwards!)
Perhaps I’ll just buy a puppy…please buyer beware!! When searching for that perfect pet, ask questions. What was their “motive” for breeding? If phrases come up like “it’s good for children” or “to make money”…keep looking! If they don’t seem to screen buyers or offer any health guarantees…look elsewhere. If you plan to rescue a particular breed from a canine foundation group, or just want to go shelter shopping, do your homework on the breeds to discover what qualities are important to you and your lifestyle. Over 3.5 million unwanted dogs are put to death in pounds in this country every year, with millions more dying homeless due to starvation, disease, and abuse!
Please-don’t risk an innocent life!
Submitted by Animal Health Services of Cave Creek