Help with breeding 2 staffies.

[samcim]

Hi I need help, I have a ***** staffordshire bull terrier, she is 18 months old and is in season (1 week into season). I have a dog ready to breed but she doesnt want to do it? She just playes with him and nips him or sits down when he tries to mount her. What should I do here? Try to hold here up while he does it? Ive no idea please help!

Sam

[Babyblue5290]

ok....for starters your not suppose to breed any dog until they are 2 yrs old.
Did you do any health test?
If so what kinds?
Why do you want to breed these dogs?

other's will have more.

[samcim]

Sorry she is nearly 2 years old, just cheked with the wife.

[samcim]

Yes shes seen the vet and is fine, I dont know the details, my wife does all this but shes hopeless with a PC :)

I want to breed the dogs for a pup for myself and a few of the my family want one.

[Babyblue5290]

nearly 2 isn't good, they have to be at LEAST two years old.
Where did you get the dogs from?
What are their bloodlines?

[gaddylovesdogs]

Have you had OFA and OFE tests done on your dog?

[samcim]

I bought the dog off a freind when she was 9 weeks old. Dont know the blood lines but she's a English Staffordshire bull terrier.So by not wanting to mate means shes not ready? you think I should wait another 6 months till next season. When I say nearly 2 means she is 2 in a few weeks.

[samcim]

Have you had OFA and OFE tests done on your dog?
Dont know. dont think so. The wife takes her to the vet. What are thay for?

[gaddylovesdogs]

OFA - http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/companion_animal/CHD.htm

[samcim]

No, she hasnt got that, been checked thoroughly by the vet.

Ok when she doesnt want to mate does this mean shes not ready or not? Do we humans need to help them sometimes?

Thanks for all the info!

Sam

[Fran27]

I think you'll find little to no help here as we're pretty much against breeding dogs that s may have health problems - which you can't know until you do all those tests.

I don't think it's such an issue if you are sure to have a good home for all the puppies (it can be more than 8!) and people are aware that their dog might have health issues later though... is it the case?

There are enough mutts dying in shelters without adding more too... Is the male show quality? Is it the same breed?

[samcim]

Yup my family & freinds know this. I will know EVERYBODY that have these pups and thay all know that this type of breed MAY have problems later on in life.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Being checked over by a vet simply isn't enough, it really isn't health testing. And if you don't know the bloodlines, that isn't good either.

I suggest you speak with Love4Pits, she's a reputable breeder of Siberian Huskies and Chins, plus she owns three pitbulls.

[samcim]

I will take a picture of him one sec

[Babyblue5290]

Does everyone getting one of these pups know all responsibilities that go along with having a puppy?
Do you know what will happen to the pup if one of the future owners decided they don't want it?

[samcim]

Yes thay know the responsibilities, most of them seen mine growing up :)

What do you mean if thay dont want them? Thay all know that a dog is for life ect.

[Babyblue5290]

I mean hypothetically.....if something happens and they no longer can take care of it no matter the reason are you willing to take the pup back??

[samcim]

Sure yes, we have a big house thats not a problem. Of course all 8 (if she has 8) will be a bit nuts if thay all decided to return them all! Jk

[samcim]

Here is a picc of the male:

http://premium1.uploadit.org/samcim//www.jpg

[Babyblue5290]

I think you should talk with Love4Pits, especially since your dogs haven't been given all the health tests that go along with breeding and they aren't pedigree.

[moe]

I would seperate them now do not force her, get the health checks done THEN mate her on her season after the health checks, she will be more mature and more able to cope with a litter if you give her time, after you have had the test done then decide whats best for your *****, as you say a dog is for life so waiting a few more months till all the health checks come back hopefully clear, will not be any problem.


In the meantime I suggest you get a book called the book of the ***** this will help.
Mo

[bubbatd]

First of all, wait for the next heat and get all the testing done. Second...if she's not accepting the male, she's not ready. Third.....get the book " how to raise a Puppy you can Live with " Rutherford and Neil. ALL the answers are there....Starting with the breeding which tells you when a female is ready.....You need to read more if you think the female is ready at 1 week into heat. I have a feeling you are still going to go ahead in spite of the advice here. Sad!

[Love4Pits]

Like alot of people have said before me (sorry I was so late guys) if she is'nt accepting the male I would wait and like grammy said (bubbatd) wait for her next heat and get all the needed testing done. I am a breeder of Siberian Huskies and Chins and telling you from my professional experience breeding is an expensive process (if done responsibly) and should'nt be taken too lightly.

I during in her test results if there is even a hint of a problem i would'nt breed her. Because lets say you breed her and she has puppies and their puppies have puppies and so on and so forth the problem with get bigger and bigger. Also the male being bred to her should have the same tests as you want him to be healthy and worthy of passing on his genes. Now also you would want to look at both temperments you want a loving dog that stands true to a staffy's temperment obviousely you don't want to breed aggressive or shy dogs.

I breed my dogs 3-4 times or more sometimes during one heat cycle never leaving them alone together for even a second. I then take my dogs and have their blood work done again and have the ***** sonogramed to make sure it took and she is definatly pregnant. It costs money but I like to be sure I have my dogs sonogramed 2-3 times during pregnancy gives a good idea of how many puppies are coming and prepares me. You probley already know all this but if you don't im just letting you know :). You should have or make up a first aid kit for puppies birth alot of breeding sites have the things listed you will need. Get her some sort of welping bed.

If you do all the proper tests there should'nt be any problems during labor and birth but its possible. Now if you don't get tests done you have a higher risk of problems where you can lose mum and puppies.

Like I said its expensive but I think worth it I have a litter of five husky pups at the moment gonna be 8 weeks this Saterday and I did all this with their mum and dad before their birth and they are happy and healthy pups already got great homes to go to at 12 weeks.

Anyways good luck and if you have any other questions you can pm me

[samcim]

Ok have decided not to do it YET, Ive ordered the book of the bit*h & "how to raise a Puppy you can Live with" Thay were only £3 each second hand from amazon :) How much do these tests cost? What do thay test for?

Thanks again

Sam

[BigDog2191]

I admire how open-minded you were, samcim. Kudos :).

[Rose's Gal]

I don't know how much the tests cost, but I do know what they are for. lol

Staffies are prone to hip problems and eye problems. So those tests just make sure that your dogs aren't carrying those problems on to the pups. (Because, you don't want a pup that is going to have hip or eye problems.)
The OFA certificates say how good the hips are. I wouldn't breed a dog unless it scored a good or higher on the test.
The CERF tests are for the eyes. These need to be done yearly, if you are going to continue to breed your dogs after this litter. (Which, I'm not going to appraise untill I know more about your breeding practices.)

And while you are waiting to breed, I'd also see if there is a possibility that you could show your dogs. That will let you know if your dog goes with the breed standard.
I'd also make up a contract saying that certain requirements have to be made by the buyer of a puppy, or you get the puppy back. You could also include a health garentee, yada yada. If you want what is included in a basic contract, let me know. I have a simple one in a book I have. :) (Or then, of course, you could just ask Love4Pits. lol ;) )

[Rose's Gal]

Oh, BTW, very handsome Staffie you have there. ;)

Yup my family & freinds know this. I will know EVERYBODY that have these pups and thay all know that this type of breed MAY have problems later on in life.

Even if they are family/freinds, I'd suggest you screen them anyway, if you end up breeding. I have some friends/family I wouldn't trust my dogs with even though they may like them. I have two dogs, a male and a female, bothed fixed, and I had a friend of Wesley's (my little bro) come up to me and say: "When they have puppies, can we have one?"
I was like, "Well, they are bothed fixed, so they won't be having puppies." But in my head I was going: "Um, I wouldn't give one to you guys anyway." No offence to the people, they are nice people, but I don't think they'd have the smarts to not let the dog run loose, how to train the dog, etc.

So ya, make sure that your family/friends won't breed the dog, they won't make the dog live outside, they won't let the dog offleash in an unfenced area, they'll provide proper training, etc., etc.

[bubbatd]

Sam my man, I'm proud of you !!! I really don't know the costs today, but you can call around and check. Also, when you get "The" book , let me know what you think of it.....I wish more people who get or breed pups would take my recommendation more seriously. I'm hoping you can support me. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your great adventure !

[pitbulliest]

Sam.please please PLEASE be very careful...do not breed your dog unless you and the dog is 100 percent ready...they need to be thouroughly health tested, and even then you should be reading into their bloodlines..but since you can't, I would honestly reconsider..It seems like you really love your dogs..but that's not a legitimate reason to breed them..puppies are a huge responsibility..along with any vet bills that may follow if they end up with health problems due to irresponsible breeding...

I am very glad that you got the books that were recommended by some of the other members here..its a great start..and maybe once you read them you will reconsider, or simply measure up to responsible breeder standards...personally though, I think that takes alot of time, knowledge, and experience..

Whichever way you decide to go, I hope you do whats best for the dogs and any pups that may follow..please screen all potential puppy parents..even if they are your friends and family...sometimes people don't even know why they want a dog besides it being "cute as a button"..good luck with your decision, and please keep us posted... ;)

[Saje]

Samcim, you're awesome. You're so open and that's wonderful. Especially, with all of us dog lovers drilling you. We have the best intentions but can come on strong and I'm so glad you want to learn.

I think waiting is a good decision. I'm sure you would be heartbroken if something happened to the mom or the pups so it's good to wait until she's a little more mature and to do some more research.

I think you're great. :D

[samcim]

Yeah gunna read the books and see how much these screens cost, 6 months isn't long to wait till her next heat :) Thanks for the support, will let you know how me and the wife gets on with the books.

[Fran27]

Keep in mind though... If you got the dog from a friend, it's likely that you won't be so happy with the results of the tests. And I believe that they are expensive.

[bubbatd]

They are worth the cost............. Sam and his wife will do what's right......they'll go by " THE book ". The 1st chapter is why or why not to breed and explains.

[Fran27]

Of course they are worth it... Just warning that he might end up spending lots of money for tests only to find out that his dog is not breed quality. Unless you get a dog from a responsible breeder who did testing on the parents etc, you are likely to have a puppy that isn't breed quality.

So, before you spend so much money, maybe you should ask the friend you got the dog from if the parents had the testing done. If they haven't, you should just save the money and neuter her in my opinion.

[bubbatd]

Fran... I doubt if the breeders did. Sam has 6 months to check on the pedigrees, ask previous litter buyers, etc before he proceeds.