PAGE 1 NationalWOLFDOG Lupine BREEDING Association FLORIDA LUPINE Breeding

So, You Want to Become a Wolfdog Breeder? By Cottonwood Kennels

Responsible breeders produce will not be placed with one male— In return, these breeders will a litter of only if those pups all intact—as such a situation is encourage their buyers to visit will improve or, at the very least, usually done to produce a lot of them and to meet the parents in compliment the line. They carefully puppies and not for the sake of the order for both breeder and buyer to consider the animals, and the par- animal). determine if a wolfdog is ents are chosen for such quality Responsible wolfdog breeders suitable for the prospective human traits as health, temperament, will have buyers lined up and will owner. (If, for any reason, breeders background, conformation and take deposits on puppies before the have any suspicions about a poten- training ability. Their only goal breeding takes place. Common lit- tial buyer, they are both probably should be to make their line of ani- ters are between four to six pup- better off not following through mals better. pies, but litters of 10 are not unusu- with the sale.) Quality wolfdog breeders will al. If these breeders find they have If potential buyers pass the not randomly breed two animals more puppies than deposits, they screening process and decide to simply because the female is in are prepared to keep the remaining interview other breeders, respecta- season, or to allow the breeding puppies until suitable homes are ble breeders should refer them to pair to experience the joys of found. other reputable breeders so that parenthood, or because they want If for any reason, a buyer is un- the buyers can be sure they are get- to make some extra money. And able to keep his or her animal, ethi- ting what they want and what they they will NEVER breed animals cal breeders will take responsibility are told. One of the primary con- with undesirable traits (e.g., bad for the animal by either taking it cerns for a reputable breeder is not jaw alignment, bad temperament, back or placing it or assisting its the sale of his or her own puppy, genetic disorders, etc.) because placement in another home. In such but that a buyer—who has passed they know that these traits will be a situation, the breeders’ obligation the screening processes— passed on to the puppies as well. to refund the purchase fee is lim- purchases a quality animal from a Reputable wolfdog breeders ited to the following: if the animal legitimate breeder. will only breed when the parents was recently purchased, suffers a Quality breeders will honestly are of an acceptable age for breed- verifiable hereditary/genetic disor- answer basic questions about wolf- ing. Although mature at der, or suffers a verifiable tempera- , explaining to the prospective around two years old, OFA testing ment/behavioral disorder. buyer how to socialize, bond with, usually occurs at approximately Reputable wolfdog breeders and properly feed and house their three years of age. (Note: Prelimi- will heavily screen potential buy- new puppy. Not only will the breed- nary testing at two years old may ers. They will determine if potential ers provide positive information, be performed.) Responsible breed- buyers live in an area where there but the negative as well; no breeder ers will also breed only after the are any restrictions, and if so, what is perfect. This sharing of dam has recovered completely and their state or county requires. They knowledge should not stop once they will not over breed. will insist on meeting potential the buyer leaves with the puppy. A Ethical wolfdog breeders are buyers in person (at least once) or devoted breeder will continue to be protective of their animals. If kept have someone they know meet available for questions concerning outside, the animals’ enclosures with them if distance is a problem. the animal throughout the pup’s will provide shade and be safe, se- They will also require photos or lifetime. cure, and sanitary. The animals will videos of the buyer’s facilities and/ Among the information respon- also be paired comfortably with or will inspect or have an agent in- sible breeders will divulge is the other animals (e.g., three females spect them. importance of training, the benefits

Distributed by National Lupine Association, 2017 PAGE 2 WOLFDOG BREEDING NATIONAL LUPINE of spaying and neutering (if the ences—both for good and bad (Note: Many state laws mandate buyer is uninterested in breeding), breeders. that no puppies be sold until the and the seriousness of never leav- Responsible breeders are will- age of eight weeks.) ing a small child alone or unsuper- ing to provide their buyers with the A responsible breeder will re- vised with a large canine. (Note: names of their vets and will be able fuse ownership if the potential Children being bit by the family to provide accurate documentation owner wants it as a ; has has reached epidemic proportions. that their animals are current on all small children and is unable or un- It is better to err on the side of cau- vaccinations and wormings. They willing to supervise them at all tion than to make a small mistake will be able to pay for all veterinary times around the animal; does not that can have potentially fatal or life expenses, including pre-breeding have secure fencing/housing; refus- -long results.) vet checks, vaccinations, worming es to answer or is vague when an- Responsible breeders will use of internal parasites, heartworm swering the breeders’ questions; and enforce contracts to be signed tests and prevention, flea and tick lives in a regulated area and would prior to the release of a pup. Their prevention, etc. be in violation of any ordinances; contracts should insist that buyers In addition, responsible breed- cannot tell you what the following take the pups to their vets for ers assist in the whelping, if neces- words mean: socialization, bonding, health exams within "XX" hours of sary, and are willing to pay for an and submission. Obviously this per- receiving the pup and should also emergency Caesarean-section son has not researched any type of provide a 72-hour contagious dis- should the need arise. While most canine behavior and is, therefore, a ease guarantee. wolfdog breeders do not yet incor- poor candidate for wolfdog owner- Reputable breeders generally porate OFA or PENN Hip certifica- ship. offer a minimum 30-month heredi- tion for hip dysplasia and CERF eye Reputable breeders will gener- tary defect guarantee (OFA will not testing into their breeding pro- ally not make any money off breed- even rate an animal until the age of grams, there is a strong movement ing, nor is this their intent. Their two). For example, if the puppy among some wolfdog breeders in selling prices usually cover medical should fall seriously ill or die from a this direction. Most responsible dog costs and the care/healthy feeding genetic or hereditary defect, the breeders test their animals’ eyes of the nursing mother and pups. breeder will provide a full refund, and hips, among numerous other Any profits are put back into the and/or pay the vet bills, and/or re- things, and some wolfdog owners animals by improving the kennels place the puppy. and breeders are beginning to see and the overall well-being of the Ethical breeders should be able the wisdom of such testing. It is a animals. These breeders are NOT in to provide verifiable pedigrees on myth that wolfdogs are not prone the breeding business to make a each parent, with the names of the to some of the same genetic disor- quick buck and NEVER find such owners and of the animals in the ders that plague many of the dog motivation an acceptable reason to lineage, and should also include breeds. breed. photos, if possible. They will have Many breeders of high content There are many things to con- researched their lines for any tem- wolfdogs pull their pups from the sider before deciding to breed. perament or health problems and mother after ten days and begin a Most people do not think about the will only breed sound animals from bottle-feeding regime that encour- numerous expenses and responsi- sound lines. In addition, the pedi- ages bonding with humans. This bilities involved in breeding. We grees of the parents will compli- supplemental feeding is done at hope that this article has helped ment each other and should be two- to four-hour intervals around you to make an educated decision traced back a minimum of three the clock. If the puppies are still about breeding and/or about buy- generations. nursing when they are sent home ing from a responsible breeder. Reputable breeders should also with their new owners, the breed- be able to provide references from ers will either provide a mixture of past buyers of their puppies and the formula to the owner or give photographs of the offspring they the owner the recipe of the exact Special thanks to all contributors of have produced at their kennels. A ingredients so as not to shock the this article: Cottonwood Kennels; good breeder’s reputation will fol- puppy’s digestive system. The Southern Howls Kennels; Hidden Hol- low from past practices, just as the breeder should also show the buyer low Kennels; Ghostly Image Kennels; reputation of a bad breeder. Word how to properly bottle feed and Stormy "Wolf" Renee; and Kim Miles. of mouth is one of the best refer- handle the pup during this time.