If you are contemplating dog breeding, there are certain questions that you will need to ask yourself before proceeding: 

• Have I the time to devote to a litter until the puppies are old enough to go to their new homes, which is usually around eight weeks?
• Am I knowledgeable enough to advise new owners about the various aspects of caring for their puppies, including rearing, diet, training and health problems?
• Can I afford to pay for the recommended health tests for the bitch prior to mating her and, where necessary, her litter?
• Do I know enough to help the bitch during the whelping, if necessary?
• Can I afford to pay for a caesarean should the dam have difficulty whelping the litter?
• Could I cope with a very large litter of, say, 10 or 12 puppies?
• Do I have sufficient knowledge to rear the litter correctly, including on worming, vaccinations and socialisation?
• Would I be able to find good homes for the puppies?
• Am I in a position to take back or re-home any puppies if it becomes necessary?

If you have not been able to say yes to all of the above questions, then dog breeding may not be for you. You may therefore wish to consider having your bitch spayed to prevent unwanted or unplanned pregnancies; your breed club or the breeder of your bitch may be able to provide you with further expert advice.

If you have been able to say yes to all of the above questions, do not forget that you will also need to keep the following in mind:

• Responsible dog breeders believe that each litter that they breed, should be an improvement on the parents.
• Responsible dog breeders give careful consideration to health issues, temperament and soundness.
• Responsible dog breeders plan ahead of each mating so as to ensure that each puppy produced will be bred in the best possible environment.
• Responsible dog breeders accept responsibility for a puppy which they have bred, and make themselves available to give advice, help and information to new owners.

Below is a list of important factors you should think about when considering breeding from your bitch:

Before Breeding

• Transfer the dog into your registered ownership if you have not already done so.
• Microchip your dog.
• DNA profile your dog.
• Obtain a Kennel Name.
• Check that no breeding endorsement has been placed on your dog’s records.
• Ensure your dog is healthy and suitable (especially in temperament) to whelp a litter.
• Carry out all relevant health checks e.g. hip scoring, elbow grading, eye testing and DNA testing.
• Check the Breed Information Centre for all breed specific health information
• Contact a breed society for more breed specific information.
• Ensure that the health status of the proposed stud dog is satisfactory.
• Talk to the breeder of your bitch, as they may be able to help you. 
• The NEW Kennel Club Healthcare Plan offers breeders optional cover for Breeding risks including fertility, pregnancy, whelping and litter before they are sold. For more information call 0800 369 90 90 or visit www.kcinsurance.co.uk

Before the Whelping

• Decide what whelping facilities, including bedding, are most appropriate.
• Ensure that you have the necessary equipment to deal with the whelping.
• Inform your vet when your bitch is due to whelp and keep their phone number to hand.

After Breeding

• Register your litter with the Kennel Club - ideally in time for new owners to be given the registration certificate when they collect their puppy.
• Advertise your puppies for sale on the Kennel Club Find a Puppy service
• Provide a puppy contract with all puppies sold.

Four weeks FREE cover for your puppies
Don't forget if you are a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder, activate a free four week period of insurance for each puppy you sell. You can do this either by calling 0800 369 90 95 or at www.kcinsurance.co.uk

Also remind new puppy owners of the following services:

Activating transfer of registered ownership
Once you have sold a puppy to the new owner, you should encourage them to transfer the ownership of the puppy into their name with the Kennel Club. You need to sign the Transfer of Registered Ownership Form (all Breeders must sign if there is more than one) on the reverse of the Kennel Club Registration Certificate and the new owner must complete the rest of the form and either transfer ownership online or return to the Kennel Club.

It is vital that you ask the new owner to transfer the ownership as soon as possible so that the correct information is recorded on our database. Additionally in order to show or breed from the dog, the new owner needs to be aware that it must be registered with the Kennel Club in their name.

Endorsements
Kennel Club regulations allow the registered owner of a dog to place certain endorsements on a dog's records, provided that the dog is in their physical possession and registered ownership.

Hip Scores, Elbow Grading, Eye Testing and DNA Testing for disease
Health schemes are in place to help breeders screen their stock before breeding and the information they provide can be used to help reduce the passing on of these health issues to puppies.

Microchipping
Microchipping provides a permanent, inexpensive form of identification that cannot be lost, altered, or intentionally removed. The process is quick and painless and can help ensure a happy reunion, should a dog become lost or stray.  If you decided to microchip your litter, you should advise the owner that they must change the ownership.  One of the benefits of microchipping your litter is that you can arrange for your details to be included as the second carer after they have gone to their new home, and if anything goes wrong, you may be contacted.

Dog / PuppyTraining - Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme is the largest dog training scheme in the UK. Its aim is to promote responsible dog ownership and in turn, enhance our relationship with our pets and to make the community aware of the benefits associated with dog ownership.

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