Does anyone know how I get started in breeding a dog? I have a male shiatsu dog...

[motherofgradn04]

...that I want to breed.? This dog just turned a year old on March 17th. Are there rules that I have to go by? I need to know just how to get started. I have never done this before and need as much guidance and assistance that I can get. Thank you for whatever you can tell me.

 

[darkangel_zheinah]

The Shih Tzu can require more care than some other breeds if the hair is kept at show length; they need daily brushing to avoid tangles. A short haircut, also known as a pet trim or puppy cut, can make this a task taking place every month or so rather than of daily. They also need regular haircuts. A Shih Tzu has two coats of fur, with the bottom coat shedding into the top coat rather than off of the dog entirely; as a result, this breed sheds very little in the conventional sense. With regular brushing and bathing, shedding can be reduced to almost nothing.[8] As they shed so lightly, Shih-Tzu are considered to be one of the breeds more suitable for people with allergies.

Since the breed is adapted to a cool climate, letting the coat grow out somewhat for the colder seasons is appropriate, but there is still a substantial difference from a floor-length show coat and a warmer, medium-length winter coat.

Because Shih Tzu noses are small and flat, eating contributes to an unclean face. Once the dog has finished eating, owners often wipe the dog's face with a damp paper towel to remove food remnants. This is another area where the haircut matters; a proper show cut will get more messy (often even requiring the hair to be rubber-banded together for eating efficiently) than other ways of cutting the facial hair.

When they are drinking, it is sometimes necessary to supervise Shi Tzu; water can enter their face-level noses more easily and inhibit breathing. This is why many Shih Tzu are trained to drink from the sort of licker bottles used by hamsters and gerbils. The area around the eyes should be checked each day for mucus buildup and cleaned when needed. Providing the Shih Tzu with bottled water (or water that does not contain chlorine) helps to keep eye mucus to a minimum. Additionally, their claws need to be clipped approximately every month.

 

[? Nut Nut ?]

LOL are you saying you want to breed a massage? It's Shih Tzu, not Shiatsu (A massage) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiatsu

There's a lot of research to be done before you breed your dog. it's the owner of the b*tch who has to do the most work and research, but the studs owner still has a lot to learn!

What you need to do, is learn how to spell Shih Tzu, then get your dog
*Health checked by a vet,
*OFA certified,
*Champion titled,
*Make sure he has a good nature,
*Registered with the Kennel Club.
*Have all testing done prior to the breed

and so much more! Here's the Shih Tzu Club code of Ethics
http://www.theshihtzuclub.co.uk/ethics.htm

If you can live up to that code, there'll be owners of Shih tzu b*tches lining up at your door! But if you can't live up to it it'd be best to have your dog neutered.

 

[SG Brittanys]

If you're serious about getting into breeding, you want to wait until the dog is at least 2 years old. That's the age that they're fully developed and you can properly test for hip problems. In the meantime, contact your breed's local chapter and see if people really involved in the breed can evaluate your dog and determine if he's a good canidate for showing. If he is, wonderful - have him shown and see how he does. There's a big difference between good breeders that show their dogs and ensure all puppies they produce are as healthy as possible and are going to good, loving homes, and breeders that breed just to breed, producing puppies they don't know how to care for that end up who knows where, from abusive homes to puppy mills to abandoned on the streets. No one with a quality female will want to breed to your dog if they don't think he's healthy (eyes, hips checked at the minimum). I'd contact your local breed club and maybe go to a meeting or 2 to get the feel of things. This is something you do NOT want to rush into!

 

[Patient Paws]

Wow. I love male shiatsu artists. Great massages!


I agree, you need to spell the name before breeding. Not everyone with a cute dog and spare time should be a breeder. In fact, NO ONE should do that.

Every day BILLIONS of animals are euthanized because of overpopulation and overcrowding, caused by back yard breeders, like what you'd like to attempt to do.

You need to get your dog neutered, please. It'll save you THOUSANDS of dollars later on down the line. When you breed, you need to find a mentor, pay them. You need to have your animal OFA certified, you need to have titles in obedience, titles in shows, it'll look good. The animal needs a FULL health exam, needs to be registered by the AKC, its parents, grandparents, and fore-parents (if available) need to be checked and PROVEN that they are healthy.

THEN you need to either buy a female, or put your animal up for stud-work, which costs A LOT to see if he's genetically worthy, and there is NO guarantee that your animal will be picked to breed with, especially because no on has ANY idea who you are, nor do they know your dog.

When the puppies are born YOU are expected to have first set of required shots, THEN you sell them for what price you paid to have EVERYTHING to the stud dog done. (So it'll eventually equal itself out).

Breeders RARELY make a profit off of puppies, they make it in the show ring.

Its Shih Tzu.

 

[Maki Maki]

First off, please don't breed your dog. There are more than too many homeless animals. Most don't find homes and are euthanized.
But... If you want to breed your dog anyway because you don't care about the fact that so many dogs are dying because people would rather buy puppies than older, abandonded dogs, then..
Go to the vet and make sure that your dog is a good candidate for breeding, genetic wise.
Get him registered in the AKC and things like that, but it would be best to do as MUCH research as you possibly could. It'd also be great if you worked for, volunteered for, or helped out a breeder for at least a year.
Even if you don't have the female.
But there are probably going to be a lot of more helpful people coming up after this, so be ready to read.
Also, go do some reading up on google and learn a lot there. Don't expect everyone to just give you the answers on here.

 

[Border Collie love ♥]

I wouldn't breed. The first lady is right.

Your dog can even die durring the process. And you Shouldn't breed dogs untill they are 2 years old anyway! =]

 

[ragapple]

Get involved in a dog sport with your boy - few female owners will even consider a male they don't see out in competition. Plus this is the best place to find a mentor AND, to learn what you need to know about breeding (which includes what health test are recommended in your breed).....

 

[Talltail]

1. You need a breeding mentor. Hands on experience is the best way to learn.
2. Have your dog health tested for everything and anything. If he is unhealthy in any way, he is unfit to breed.
3. Show your dog. A dog with a CH title means the dog meets breed standards.
4. Contact your local kennel club to get more information. 90% of people breeding dogs are bad breeders. The only acceptable breeder is a reputable one. The only reason a person should breed is to better the dog breed. If there is no intention to better the dog breed, then you shouldn't breed.

 

[Alesi's Chi's]

Is that one of those massaging dogs? Really, you should hold off on even thinking about until you at least can identify the breed of your dog.