how old are dogs when you can start breeding from them? I have a beautiful buff colour american cocker 8mths old who I would love to breed from. Any ideas and I would be very grateful. thank you

<<start breeding from them?>>???

Are you inferring multiple litters? If so, what exactly are your reasons for wanting to breed? This may just be a poor choice of words and I sincerely hope it is!

Regard, John

I'm not sure whether you have a dog or a bitch, but have a read of the first post of the Breeding forum of this site, and buy a copy of 'The Book of the Bitch' by White and Evans. Your dog/bitch should be assessed by at least one breed expert, and should of course be tested clear of hereditary conditions.

A good place for the best advice is one of the breed clubs (listed at the bottom of the Breed Standard) - if you join you will have the advice of many specialists at your fingertips.

And people wonder why breeders endorse puppies?!?!

Age is only one of the most minor considerations as there is really no reason to start too young, as long as a bitch has her first litter by four or fiveyears of age.

That gives you pleanty of time to learn what you shoudl before even considering it.

Most importantly will be whether you bitch will be of the quality to be bred from (only around 1 in 10 pups will be of this quality), and you will be breeding for the right reasons.

You should join your bred club and do some serious breed research, attend shows where you can view good dogs, and see what studs and broods have produced. an d most importantly find mentors to help you, as you won't have the background knowledge on the dog in your bitches and potential stud dogs pedigrees.

Also will you be able to deal with the responsibility for the pups you breed for the rest of their lives.  they can live to say 15 years ande at any time you may be called upon to take one back to rehome if the owners are no longer able to keep it.  this is all part of responsible breeding.

I would suggest buying the breed clubs annuals for at leadt the last 10 years (you can usually get back issues), as these will have breeders adverts and photos of their dogs, their pedigrees, articles on the breed it's health etc, all vital for your research.  After all unless you have a lot more knowledge you will not be in a position to provide proper after sales support to owners of your pups.

Hi, Andrea is it? I was going to reply to the e-mail you sent me today, but as you've asked the same question here, I'll answer here.

First of all, you need to have your puppy assessed by a breed expert, to see if he's worth breeding from at all. Did the breeder you got him from, know that you were interested in putting him up for stud? Has he an endorsement on his KC reg restricting him for breeding? You live in my general area, and I know all the local breeders, did you get him locally? Who bred him? The breeder should be able to help you.

He will need to be eye tested for PRA, HC, MRD and Glaucoma, and this will need to be done after he's 12 months old.

The thing with trying to offer unknown dogs at stud is that reputable breeders don't know he's there, so you would probably end up getting involved with other people who don't know much about the breed either. So here's my advice.

Forget about breeding for the time being. Enter some local dog shows, there's loads, and we always have classes for the breed. If your boy is any good, he'll have some success. Get talking to the other exhibitors in the breed and ask millions of questions to learn as much as you can about American Cockers, Enjoy spending time with the breed, don't rush take your time and learn, learn, learn. Then maybe at some point in the future you will be better prepared to consider breeding American Cockers.

Please join Champdogs, it's free, and we can chat more and you can ask me any questions you like, and I might ask you some as well.:)

Dawn R.

Now why did I assume breed meant it was a bitch.

Guest unless your dog is seen and does well in the showring you won't have anyone reputable wanting to use him:D

You had best show him, and learn how to present his coat as it is quite an art.

The rest of my previous post still applies, and of course the Health tests are a must.

Hi again,  Hope you got my reply to your email.  Added to what I told you and all the excellent advice here, I thinkyou have a failry good picture of what is required before you can consider if your boy is good enough to use at stud.  Please don be too despondent if what you have been told is not what you wanted to hear.  Everyone think there own pup is gorgeous and is an excellent specimen of the breed, but you do need impartial, knowledgeable opinions to let you know just how good he is.  And  even if he is a good representative of the breed, there is every possibility that he still may not ever be considered as a stud dog.  If his pedigree is compatible with someones bitch and their breeding programme, and he is as good or better than other dogs who also fit in with the plans,  people may consider him.  But there is strong competition out there from some excellent proven stud dogs.   His parents and great grandparents must  have current clear eye tests, and no other health issues in the family too.  Your best place for advice is really your breeder. if they are knowledgeable responsible breeders.  Dawn mentioned you are in the North East, thre is a whle bunch of us Am. Cocker owners up here, we are a pretty friendly helpful bunch who would be happy to help.

bye
Gwen