22/07/2025
Excellent read for anyone considering breeding.
I'm asked often, "I'd like my dog to have puppies, could you tell me how to do it?"
99% of the time my answer is they are better off just being a loved pet, and here's why:
Breeding your dog is a serious responsibility that impacts not only your dog, but the future health, temperament, welfare of the puppies, and the breed overall.
Here’s how to know if it would be responsible to breed your dog:
1. Health & Genetic Testing
-Responsible breeding starts with health. Your dog should have the recommended health testing completed that is outlined by the breed club.
-A OFA CHIC number (Canine Health Information Center) is ideal
-If any results are not passing or your dog is affected, do not breed.
-Do you know your dogs pedigree health history? Certain things can't be tested for, so knowing what and when they have come up is important, not only for your dog but also when look for a pairing to help reduce risk.
2. Temperament & Behavior
Temperament is breed specific but in regards to poodles your dog should:
-Be stable, confident, and meet your breeds standard.
-Show no signs of aggression or fearfulness
-Handle stress well (shows, grooming, noise, strangers)
-Dogs that are reactive, anxious, or aggressive should not be bred, as this can pass on to puppies.
3. Structure & Breed Standards
Evaluate how closely your dog conforms to the breed standard:
-Attend conformation classes or shows
-Get opinions from breed mentors or judges
-Have a professional evaluate structure and gait
-A dog with severe faults, even if healthy, may pass them on.
4. Titles or Work Ethic
Has your dog:
-Earned titles in conformation, obedience, agility, hunting, CGC, therapy work etc?
Breeding should improve the breed, not just preserve it.
5. Age and Maturity
-Dogs should be at least 2 years old and fully health tested. There are some instances where long time Breeders may breed slightly before 2, but generally speaking it's best that the dogs is 2 or older before breeding.
-They should be emotionally mature. Breeding a dog who is too young or not emotionally mature can cause behavior problems, lack of bonding, poor mothering etc.
6. Purpose & Home Plans
Ask yourself:
-Am I improving the breed or just making puppies?
-Do I have homes lined up or a waitlist?
-Will you stay in contact with each home and offer breeder support for the rest of their life?
-Do I have funds to raise, vet, and socialize the puppies properly?
-Am I prepared to take any puppies back for life? If one comes back and ends up with a serious condition that requires expensive medication and vet care, am I financially prepared?
-Can I afford an emergency C-section?
-What if my dog dies during whelping?
-Can I afford to treat sick puppies?
-Will I be able to bottle feed and clean puppies every 2 hours of the mother won't?
-Can I handle the loss of a puppy or a whole litter?
7. Support & Mentorship
Responsible breeders have:
-A mentor who has bred and shown dogs before
-Membership in a breed club or local kennel club
-A plan for emergencies, complications, or C-sections
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❌ Do NOT Breed If:
-You're doing it for money only
-Because you want your friends and family to have a puppy from one litter before you spay
-Want your dog to experience motherhood or to sire a litter
-Your dog has no health testing
-Financially can't afford to cover up to $10,000 in emergency expenses
-Don't have room, energy to keep/train unsold puppies for months or even a year + until they find home
-If you'll dump puppies to a shelter if they don't sell
-Your dog is shy, aggressive, or has severe structural issues
-You don’t have support or knowledge about breeding and whelping - you should be prepared long before ever breeding your dog
-You wouldn’t keep every puppy if you had to
There is so much more to breeding than this, but the point is to breed Responsibly as it keeps pets out of shelters.
Shared from Kvali Standard Poodles
