First time breeders

Our step-by-step breeding articles support you from start to finish along your breeding journey. We help you think about what to do before you breed and provide practical information on mating, pregnancy, whelping, caring for your puppies and how to find them a good home.

Before breeding

It’s important to take the time to consider whether breeding is right for you and your dog. You'll need to think about health screening, how to avoid inbreeding and find a potential mate that you think compliments your dog.

Group of Labrador puppies sat together

Quick breeding guide

When it comes to dog breeding, there’s lots to learn about, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you find out what it involves.

A summary of breeding

Should I breed?

If you’re thinking of breeding from your dog, find out if it’s the right thing to do and whether your dog is suitable.

Should I breed?

Health screening

Find out why breeders health screen before breeding and which health screening schemes are relevant to your dog's breed.

Health screening
Dog standing

Conformation

The conformation of a dog refers to its overall structure and appearance. Find out how conformation plays a part in your breeding decisions.

Conformation

Choosing a mate

Learn how to find a compatible stud dog for your bitch, how to know if they've been health screened and what qualities to look out for.

Choosing a mate
Three Border Collies laying down together

Genetic diversity

Find out how to manage and maintain genetic diversity when selecting a mate and how to avoid extreme inbreeding.

Genetic diversity
Puppies asleep

Getting a licence

Regulations on dog breeding differ in all parts of the UK. Find out which regulations are in place across the country.

Dog breeding regulations
Labrador puppies sat eating from silver bowls

Join our Assured Breeders scheme

Find out what you need to do to become a member of our Assured Breeders scheme and how to apply.

Assured Breeders scheme
Akita stood outside on grass

Using your dog at stud

If you’re thinking of using your dog at stud, find out the essential qualities of a stud dog and things to consider before mating them.

Using your dog at stud

Breeding crossbreeds

If you’re thinking about producing crossbred puppies, find out about risks, considerations and how to do it responsibly.

Breeding crossbreds

Neutering

If you decide not to breed from your dog, you should carefully consider whether neutering is the right choice for you both.

Neutering

Feeding after neutering

Neutered dogs may have different nutritional needs and you may need to think about how much they eat.

Feeding after neutering

Mating

If you’re thinking of mating your dog, it’s essential that you know roughly when they’re going to be most fertile. If you’ve never seen dogs mate before, then you may have questions about what happens and what’s normal.

Dog, resting

Seasons and heat

Female dogs are only fertile when in heat, so breeders need to be able to recognise the signs of heat and predict when a dog’s in season.

Seasons and being in heat

Dog mating

Find out how dogs mate, why they become ‘tied’, how long they stay joined and how you can know if your mating has been successful.

Dog mating

Artificial insemination

Artificial insemination (AI) is used to help dogs become pregnant without a natural mating. Find out how and when to use AI.

Artificial insemination

Pregnancy and whelping

When breeding, it’s important to know whether your dog is pregnant, how long their pregnancy will last, what to feed your dog and what to do when she goes into labour.

Puppies laying and drinking milk

Pregnancy

Find out how to tell if your dog is pregnant, when to take her to the vets for a scan, how to look after her and how long until she whelps.

Pregnancy
Pregnant dog sitting inside

Feeding in pregnancy

What you feed your dog during pregnancy makes a real difference and sets her and her puppies up for the best health possible.

Feeding in pregnancy
Corgi sat in a whelping box

Whelping

Find out about whelping boxes, how to prepare for when your dog whelps, signs that she's going into labour and what to do when it starts.

Whelping

Whelping complications

Most dogs don’t have any problems whelping but complications can occur. Find out what can go wrong and what to look out for.

Whelping complications and problems

Feeding mum after whelping

After pregnancy and whelping, new mothers will need to have the right nutrition to support her and her feeding puppies.

Feeding mum from whelping to weaning
Dog being stroked by owner

Coping with the loss of a dog

For many of us, losing a dog can be absolutely devastating. Whether you’ve lost puppies or lost your dog find out how we can help you cope.

Coping with the loss of your dog

After your puppies arrive

Having new puppies can be incredibly fun, but it's hard work. Find out what you can do to look after them and how to find them a loving family that will care for them throughout their lifetime.
Puppies with identification collars sat drinking milk from mum

Caring for puppies

Find out what to do as soon as your puppies arrive, how to tell if they’re feeding enough and how to care for them.

Caring for new puppies

Vet visits

If you’ve helped bring a litter of puppies into the world, it’s important that you get them checked over by a vet. Find out what this involves.

Vet visits
Puppies drink from mum

Weaning

Find out when to wean your puppies, how to wean them and what sort of food to give them for good overall nutrition.

Weaning your puppies

Endorsements

Find out what endorsements are and how you can use them to protect your breeding lines or for welfare protection.

Endorsements

The first eight weeks

After your puppies have been born, it's helpful to know what to expect during the first few weeks of their lives.

The first eight weeks

Vaccinations

Find out why breeders vaccinate their puppies, when to do it and which vaccinations are recommended for your puppy.

Puppy vaccinations
Dog in field

Microchipping

Find out everything you needed to know about microchipping your puppies, including when to have it done and why.

Microchipping your dog

Worms

Find out how to prevent your puppies from getting worms, how often to worm them and signs they may be infected.

Worms
Lady sat on the sofa while puppy walks towards camera

Toilet training

Find out how to begin to toilet train your puppies, when to start and common errors that owners and breeders make.

Toilet training
Beagle puppy eating from bowl

Puppy nutrition

Read our hints and tips on ensuring your puppies have a balanced, healthy diet as they move on to solid foods.

Puppy nutrition
Dog looking sad

Puppy diarrhoea

Puppy diarrhoea is common but find out what causes it, how to look after your puppy and steps to take to prevent it.

Puppy diarrhoea