My 20 month old bitch is in season at the moment, and if carries on her pattern, her next season should be 9 months later, which is when we would like to breed from her.  When would be the best time to look for a stud dog for her?   I intend going back to my breeder and asking their advice, but not sure when to approach them.
thanks - sarah

Best to start looking and doing your research now. She's had her relevant tests, hasn't she?
:)

No she's not yet.   That's something I can speak to the vet about tomorrow.  There's alot we're going to have to learn between now and next year!   So any advice is most welcome - thanks.

Now is not to early, as you will have to decide which dog you want and make sure that not only does he have the sort of results from any health tests that may be required but you will also wish to visit shows or owners to see the sort of pups he is producing.

It's never too early!  We've had Daisy's next stud lined up since she had her litter last November, and she isn't due to breed again until this winter.  We considered using the same stud as the last litter (because they made a wonderful litter), but we don't care for the breeder, so we chose a different dog.  Now we just sit and tap our fingers till winter, lol!

Can I just say Sarah that it makes a nice change for someone to be putting some thought and consideration into what they are doing when it comes to breeding. Hope her tests turn out OK and you find a compatible stud.

Best advice is research, research, research. Ask the prospective stud dog(s) owners to tell you the good and bad faults of their dog as no dog is perfect and also ask if they have kept any info regarding litter sizes and survival rates too and if any of the pups have gone on to be shown and how they are doing aswell. You want the absolute best there is for your bitch and her puppies so you may have to even start going to shows that are over 200-400 miles away to find the right dog for her. We know of a dog from Scotland that is doing very well for himself at the moment and also his puppies are starting to be shown aswell so we asked for a copy of his pedigree so that we can see what we like in his tree and also what we don't. Make sure that you get as many pedigrees as you possibly can as some of them may surprise with what the dog has behind it and there may be similiar lines to your bitch and it pays to remember that a dog that doesn't always get the glory may produce the kind of puppies you want.

Hi Sarah

My new pup is only seven weeks old and I am already looking :) - whilst I realise things may go wrong between now and the time she may be ready to have pups I don't think you can start too young.  I suppose if I am honest I started thinking about it when her dam was a pup and which way I wanted my breeding to go.

<<<<info regarding litter sizes and survival rates too>>>>
I don't see that this would be of any benefit since it is the bitch that determines the litter size.
Archer

I always telling people starting stud dog research that when they see a stud dog they like, also consider his Father, after all, he produced the dog you are admiring!
bye
Gwen

The bitch may determine the litter size but if a dog keeps on having litters with different bitches and the survival rate is low compared to the average then maybe there is a fault with that dog. If a dog continually keeps on producing puppies that died during before / during birth or after two or three weeks then it can't be the bitches fault can it? The same goes for inverted and converging canines, over and undershot jaws and also hereditary cataracts plus many other faults that plight our and many other breeds!