We have a Weim dog called Bailey.  He is 16 months old and we are thinking of using him as a stud but are not entirely sure where to start. Bailey is registered with the Weimaraner Association and his father was a show dog. Basically, we were just after some advice on where to start and would be entirely grateful for your advice and input.

Thanks

Vicki

The first place to start would be the show ring or at working trials. No reputable bitch owner would consider using a stud who is not an excellent example of the breed. This is usually assessed by success in the ring or at trials.

Your dog would need to have all the relevant (and expensive) health checks.

You would need to have the facilities to accomodate visiting bitches, and their owners, overnight or longer.

You would have to be prepared to take back any dogs, of whatever age and under whatever circumatances, that you share the responsibility for producing.

You would have to be prepared for the temperament of your dog to change, and not for the better!

There are many excellent Weimaraner studs who have proven their ability to pass on their virtues. Just because a dog has an impressive pedigree there is no guarantee that he himself is an outstanding example of the breed and worthy to be used at stud.

As this guest says that the dog is "registered" with the Weimaraner Association, I am wondering what country the guest is speaking from and if it is the UK if the dog is registered with the KC. It is is not registered with the KC then it can't be shown nor can it have it's hips scored.

As there is a Weimaraner Association it could be the guest meant that they were a member of that and I have missunderstood what was said

Hi Guest why do you want to use your dog at stud particularly?  Is it because you love him so much that you want one of his puppies?  Is it because he is a fine example?  In both cases I would go back to the person who bred him. 

Really in the case of breeding it is not whether you want to use your dog that is the issue but whether owners of bitches would want to use him.  Experienced show exhibitors will only use dogs that complement their lines, yours may not.  Those of us that work our dogs would want to see evidence of ability in not only him but his antecedents and that he and they are "proven" in the field whether that be for gundog work, working trials, agility etc.  .

I do not breed but if I was going to choose a stud dog first of all I would want to verify that he is a good example of the breed physically, that he had been hip scored and moved true and sound.  I would want to make sure that he had a good temperament and that he possessed a good hunting instinct.  I would then want to look at his pedigree to see what was behind him, their hip scores and achievements and also if I recognised and "problems" there.  "Pet" breeders may use your dog because it is geographically convenient or cheaper but that should not be the criteria used when breeding.  Inexperienced owners and a maiden dog does not make for a happy combination and are you prepared to live with the changes that may come with owning a stud dog; it can alter their character, not for the better.

Ask yourself, does the world need more litters of Weimaraners and if so from you?

Will you be able to give help and support to puppy owners and can you help in rehoming should they bounce.  If you are members of the UK WA these are the ethics you are supposed to adhere to. 

Rescue is full at the moment; think extremely carefully before you go down this route.