Complete Guide to Dog Breeding
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Complete Guide to Dog Breeding By Dr Meg Howe Life Positive Publications 2009 © May 2009, Dr Meg Howe www.DogBreedingInformation.com Important Disclaimer The advice and suggestions in this manual are no more than the author’s personal opinions as a qualified veterinarian and experienced dog breeder. They are informational only and not meant to be a substitute for veterinary attention for your dog nor for visits to your local veterinarian for diagnosis or treatment, and do not replace licensed, hands-on, professional, pet-specific, veterinary care. The information presented here is based on the experience and knowledge of the author. However, neither the author nor Life Positive nor its affiliates takes any responsibility for, nor makes any warranty with respect to, results that may be obtained from the use of any of the information, procedures, recommendations or dosages presented in this manual. Before any medical or treatment decisions are implemented an evaluation of your pet's medical situation should be performed by a trained professional in your area. If you have any questions about the information contained in this manual, especially as to decisions you may wish to make concerning the health or well- being of your dog, please consult your local veterinarian before proceeding. If your pet is seriously ill and especially if there is a potentially life-threatening emergency involving your pet, do not wait - take your dog immediately to a trained veterinarian or animal emergency center near you. © May 2009, Dr Meg Howe www.DogBreedingInformation.com Complete Guide to Dog Breeding: The Aims of Dog Breeding ................................................................................ 5 Ethical ................................................................................................. 5 Profitable ............................................................................................. 6 Fun ..................................................................................................... 7 Do I have what it takes to be a successful dog breeder? ............................................ 8 Your home environment ............................................................................ 8 Your time availability ............................................................................... 9 Your love of dogs .................................................................................. 10 How strong are you? ............................................................................... 10 Can you say goodbye? ............................................................................. 10 Managing Your Business ................................................................................ 12 Licensing Issues .................................................................................... 12 Taxation ............................................................................................. 12 Choosing a Business / Kennel Name ............................................................. 13 Insurance Issues .................................................................................... 14 Microchipping....................................................................................... 14 Keeping Useful Records ........................................................................... 14 Understanding Genetics – .............................................................................. 17 Laws of Inheritance ............................................................................... 17 Genetic Diseases ................................................................................... 20 What is the right breed for you? ...................................................................... 28 Breeds and Costs ................................................................................... 28 Breeds to avoid (no matter how cute) .......................................................... 29 Grooming ............................................................................................ 34 Temperament ...................................................................................... 34 What is biomass? ................................................................................... 36 Matching your dogs to you – strength, area, grooming, exercise ........................... 37 Doing your homework – Market research, go to shows ....................................... 37 Getting into your customer’s shoes – Select-A-Pet, dog allergic market .................. 38 Once you have found your breed! ............................................................... 40 Cross-breeding ..................................................................................... 41 How to get started ...................................................................................... 42 Overview of how to get started ................................................................. 42 Checking pedigrees ................................................................................ 44 Checking the parents .............................................................................. 46 Choosing the perfect pup ......................................................................... 47 Puppy Temperament .............................................................................. 48 Campbell Tests ................................................... 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Reading the fine print ............................................................................. 52 When to bring your pup home ................................................................... 54 Growing your precious puppy right! .................................................................. 55 The healthy dog diet ................................................................................. 55 Build your pup’s diet around raw meaty bones. .............................................. 56 The Other Part of the Diet ....................................................................... 57 Dog Food Recipe ................................................................................... 58 Herbs to Grow for Your Dogs ..................................................................... 59 How Much Should You Feed? ..................................................................... 59 Getting geared up ................................................................................. 61 Puppy-proof your home. .......................................................................... 61 © May 2009, Dr Meg Howe www.DogBreedingInformation.com Visit your vet ........................................................................................ 62 Puppy Training ........................................................................................... 63 Puppy training....................................................................................... 64 Lead Training ........................................................................................ 68 House-Training ...................................................................................... 69 Puppy socializing ................................................................................... 71 Puppy grooming ..................................................................................... 72 Puppy health ........................................................................................ 73 Exercise is important! ................................................................................... 76 Breeding for the first time.............................................................................. 78 Timing ................................................................................................ 78 Mating ................................................................................................ 79 The Reproductive Cycle ................................................................................. 80 Breeding Time line ................................................................................. 80 Mating ................................................................................................ 81 Pinpointing Ovulation .............................................................................. 82 The Act of Mating ................................................................................... 88 Artificial Insemination ............................................................................. 89 Inducing Heat ....................................................................................... 92 Health Checks Prior to Breeding ................................................................. 94 Fertility Problems .................................................................................. 95 Diagnosing Pregnancy .............................................................................. 97 Pregnancy Time line ............................................................................... 98 False Pregnancy ................................................................................... 100 Preparing for the Birth ........................................................................... 101 The Birth Process ................................................................................. 106 Whelping Worries and what to do about them ............................................... 111 Things to watch out for in newborn pups ....................................................