I am considering using my dog at stud.  He is a good specimin of his breed, hip and eye scored and well on the way to being on the Stud register, having qualified for Crufts last year and this.  I have been approached by several people wanting him to cover their bitches but I am not sure that I want to try and cope with a change in temprament. He is very sweet and loving now and I have heard that once mated he may become agressive with other dogs and be apt to roam.  I can cope with the howling and whining - I have all that when my bitch is in season, what else can I expect?

Is there a site which will tell me honestly what the worst case scenario might be?

Alex

The worst case scenario is that he is infertile or does not produce offspring of a suitable quality!!, alongside all the other things you have mentioned.
Some dogs do change when they become stud dogs, pining after bitches, howling, trying to escape, dominant mounting of other dogs and fighting, so you need to be prepared for this which it sounds like you allready are.

I think a lot of people will try to discourage you from breeding, but if you go into it with your eyes open, that is a big bonus.

Good luck :-)

As well as possible changes to your dog's temperament you have to remember that as the owner of the sire you will also be held legally responsible if the subsequent puppies turn out to have avoidable health issues, such as hereditary conditions, unless you can prove that your dog has been tested clear.

Some dogs don't change very much after they've been used at stud, just becoming a little more 'manly', but some become nightmares, leg-cocking indoors where previously they were clean, becoming inter-dog aggressive, much more likely to roam, mounting any dog or bitch whether or not in season, howling ... The trouble is you won't know how he'll react until after the deed is done.

That the whining will get worse when your bitch is in season, and he will double his efforts to get to her :D Please also remember that as the owner of a stud dog you should know what lines are suitable - dont assume that it must be okay if a bitch owner has asked to use him.

I would take your boys breeders advice as regards what lines will be suited to him and which bitches it would be best to politely refuse.  Some breeds the males aren't too bad even after stud use and others are awful.  His male relatives may also give a clue as to how he may be after use, but really you won't know until he has been used.  It will make things worse with your own bitches seasons.  Some dogs get so worked up that they need sedating when they can't have their hearts desire.

Don't be surprised if he is very inept about the whole mating process.  I would advise accepting a nice steady bitch that has already had a litter, and enlist the help of an experienced stud dog owner.  Get your boy used to being intimately handled as you may be required to guide him if he has difficulty finding the mark.  The bitch owner you first accept should also be expereinced at handling during a mating.