Your Step-by-Step Guide to Ethical Dog Breeding

Because there are so many considerations, we want to ensure we do it right.

So, we’ve got this excellent step-by-step guide to ethical dog breeding. By the end of this, you will feel way more confident and informed when making some decisions.

Let’s jump right in.

Step 1: Deciding whether to breed your dog or not

Breeding your dog is not a decision that can be taken lightly. This is a huge commitment. And it’s really about the well-being of your dog and any future puppies.

Is your dog healthy? Like really healthy. Not just fine. It should be in excellent health, free of genetic diseases. That’s huge. It’s so important because we want to make sure that the puppies are also going to be healthy.

Does your dog have a stable temperament? Are they friendly and good with other dogs?

The third question is really about resources. Do you have the time? The money? The space? The dedication? Puppies are a lot of work.

Are you prepared for if something goes wrong? Like a medical emergency. Because they can be expensive, veterinary care is not cheap. Are you prepared for that?

Step 2: Find a mate

You can’t just pick any dog. Right! You gotta find the right dog. You gotta be picky.

We want healthy puppies with good temperaments. So how do you do that?

First of all, health screenings. Both dogs should be screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart problems, and breed-specific diseases.

Then temperament. You want a calm and friendly stud. You don’t want a dog that’s gonna pass on aggression or anxiety.

Pedigree research is like looking at the family history back a few generations. It can help you identify any potential health concerns that might not be obvious.

You want to think about size compatibility. For example, you don’t want to have a Great Dane and a Chihuahua. That’s going to be a problem. If you’re showing dogs, then breed standards are important.

Step 3: Preparation. Gotta get ready.

First and foremost, get a vet checkup. Make sure both dogs are healthy and up to date on vaccinations – you know, just that baseline of health.

And then genetic testing. This is beyond just the basic vet checkup. We are looking for specific genetic markers, for things that might not appear immediately.

Good nutrition and Regular exercise. Healthy mama, healthy puppies.

Timing is also very important. When to breed? There is a specific window during the female’s heat cycle when she’s most fertile. You have to hit that window. It’s usually around days 9 to 15, but your vet can do ovulation testing to pinpoint it.

Step 4: The Mating. The fun part.

Natural mating is pretty straightforward—dogs being dogs—but there are some things to consider. You want to make sure it’s a calm and controlled environment. You don’t want them to be stressed out; you want them to be relaxed. A stress-free introduction is essential so that they’re comfortable with each other.

Artificial Insemination (AI) is a little bit more complex. It involves collecting semen from the male and then inseminating the female. A vet does that. It’s a good option if natural mating isn’t possible. For example, if they live far apart or if the male is not cooperative,

It’s important to remember that breeding might take multiple attempts. So don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work the first time. Be patient.

Step 5: Confirming Pregnancy. Fingers crossed.

Well, first of all, you gotta wait. The gestation period for dogs is about 63 days. So it’s a couple of months. But you might start seeing signs of pregnancy earlier than that—around two to three weeks after mating.

You might notice an increased appetite and weight gain.

Behavioral changes. Some dogs become more affectionate. Some become more withdrawn.

Physically, you might see enlarged nipples and a growing belly.

And reduced activity. They might sleep more. Okay. They’re tired. They’re growing puppies.

Those are all potential signs. But how do you know for sure?

You go to the vet. They can do an ultrasound. Usually around three to four weeks after mating. Or they can do an x-ray later in the pregnancy, around day 45. The x-ray can tell you how many puppies there are.

Step 6: Take care of mama

Well, nutrition is essential. She needs a high-quality diet—lots of protein. There are special foods formulated for pregnant dogs. So, talk to your vet about that.

Exercise is still important, but it should be gentle—no jumping, no running, just walking. Just keep her moving, but don’t overdo it.

And Vet visits are essential—regular checkups. Make sure everything’s going smoothly.

Then, you want to start preparing a whelping area. That’s where she’s going to give birth, so it should be quiet, comfortable, safe, and clean—like a little nest for her.

Step 7: We’re getting close

She’ll start showing signs of labor, like setting up that whelping area. She might begin rearranging her bedding, pacing, and showing restlessness.

Her body temperature will drop, usually below 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

She might lose her appetite.

And she might start panting or trembling, almost like when we get nervous.

Okay, and the labor happens.

Stage one is early labor. It can last six to 12 hours. And you might not even notice it. She seems a little restless, but the contractions are starting.

Stage two is active labor, which is when the puppies are born. Usually, puppies are born every 30 to 60 minutes, so it could be a few hours.

Stage three is the delivery of the placenta. After each puppy, the placenta comes out.

You want to make sure that each puppy is breathing and that they start nursing.

And if you see any complications, like prolonged labor or heavy bleeding. Call the vet immediately.

Step 8: The Puppies Are Here

Now, we take care of the puppies. Newborn puppies are very delicate. They need around-the-clock care.

First of all, they need to stay warm. Because they can’t regulate their own body temperature, we should use heating pads and blankets.

You want to ensure they’re nursing regularly every two to three hours.

Well, around three to four weeks, they start exploring. They start eating solid food. Usually, at around eight weeks, they are ready to go to their new homes.

Step 9: Finding homes for these puppies.

This is a big responsibility. You want to make sure the puppies go to good homes.

First of all, you have to screen potential adopters. Ask lots of questions.

Make sure they’re serious.

Make sure they understand the commitment.

Then, you want to educate them about puppy care.

It’s a good idea to have an adoption contract. So that everything is clear, like health guarantees and expectations for responsible pet ownership, Spaying and neutering, etc

From that initial decision all the way to finding homes for the puppies, it’s a lot. It is rewarding if you do it right. And that’s the key takeaway here. Yes, this is not something to be taken lightly. This is a huge responsibility, and you’re dealing with living creatures.

So you want to make sure that their well-being is paramount.