I have been asked to stand my dog at stud (large breed 33kgs) he is currently 15 months old and the bitch is due for a season in 4 months time making him around 19 month old.
He was planned to be a stud dog for my lines however i was not intending to use him till he was 2.5 to 3 years old.
my question is for those with stud dogs, how old would you put them out for stud?   or breeders, how young would you use a stud dog?

Personally I wouldn't touch a stud dog until they were at least 18 months old so all health tests were in and hopefully any major health problems would be evident at this age if they were going to show. Also with large breeds you don't have the finished article at a young age

Although I might have given my potential stud dogs a first experience around 12 - 15 months, that was ONLY ever on my own (suitable) bitches, for an introduction, as well as to see what they might 'throw'.   Mine were NEVER offered 'at stud to strictly limited bitches' until much later on.   And had mine been a breed/my bloodlines with things that needed to be tested for, only after that in any case.   Again that first try, on my own bitches, apart.

It might be 'flattering' to be asked, but frankly I'd stick to my guns regarding allowing outside studs.   I was always mindful of the '50% responsible for the offspring my stud dogs might produce' that is the case.   And for sure, I didn't want my bloodlines mixed up with poor ones!!   I did turn away more enquiries, than I allowed - bearing in mind that if anything unwanted does appear, it's ALWAYS the fault of the stud dog!!!  LoL

If you know the people involved here, and the bloodlines of their bitch I suppose it might be a useful experience for him.   You'd have to waive the stud fee, at least until a litter (of more than 2 puppies at that) is on the ground.  I would never charge, or expect to be charged, to use an unproven male.    Frankly if this person wants to use your male because she likes his type/bloodlines, she'd be far far better to go to the sire of your male!!!

Personally I would have no problems whatsoever with 19 months -by then you can easily have done hips and eyes and whatever else is necessary, and the dog should have been able to have proved himself in the ring. That is assuming, of course, that it is not a breed where problems can occur later in life so that it is best to use older dogs.

I don't ever offer any dogs at stud, I don't think it is right, but if I was asked by somebody in the breed, I may say yes.

>Frankly if this person wants to use your male because she likes his type/bloodlines, she'd be far far better to go to the sire of your male!!!

I dont see this at all!!! There is more to a stud than just his father! the last dog I bought in for use on my bitch I bought not just because I liked his father but because I liked his mother too. I felt the combination of the lines would work well with my own. Added to which the pup was just what I was looking for. There was no bitch puppy so decided to have the male even though I would normally have preferred not to. A decision I have not regretted. Even if he doesnt turn out suitable to use on my bitch he is a good show and agility dog.

I dont feel 19 montyhs is too young. As long as he has had the health tests needed and has done well in the ring or what ever your chosen sport is. If you feel that his lines and type will go well with this persons bitch then I would let him. It will be useful to see what his  pups are like before you use him on your bitch.

When I have used an unproven male I have either paid once pregnancy has been confirmed or pups have been born. Then I have paid the normal stud fee. I dont see any need to not pay just because I am the first person to use a stud.

>Frankly if this person wants to use your male because she likes his type/bloodlines, she'd be far far better to go to the sire of your male!!!

There's an old saying "If you like the lad, look at his dad", because he might not 'throw' the same quality as his father did.

As soon as their hip and/or Elbow score results are back (other health tests can be done sooner). 

So that would be not before about 14 months as even if taken for scoring as soon as he turned a year it can take up to 6 weeks for results to come back.

I have used a male and encouraged a friend to have a pup by him from a bitch I admired, who I later used.

I preferred what I produced by the son as I wanted the dams lines as much as the sires.

thanks for everyones replies.
My boy is from one of the last litters out of his stud. He is out of great imported dam lines and his whole litter are doing exceptional.
The bitch owner is a close friend and the mating cross does look good, it is our intentions to keep a pup or 2 each to run on with.


There's an old saying "If you like the lad, look at his dad", because he might not 'throw' the same quality as his father did.

I do realise that using a particular male might be as much to do with the dam of that male, as his sire, BUT time was (and the more I'm here, the more I think it's time for me to pop my clogs!!) that breeders did go to the male who was producing good stock, to a significant number of different bitches, rather than using one of his (perhaps unproven?) sons.  And I wonder why so many breeds have deteriorated over the intervening years, at the hands of the less experienced breeder.