Hi All,

For those of you that stud their dogs, please can you tell me the the requirements of an "approved bitch" when advertising your dogs servicing.

Many thanks, Aimi x.

It varies. Certainly one who's had the relevant health tests, and who bears a reasonable resemblance to the breed standard (not an obvious mismark, for example). Also she would have to be of a suitable age and be KC registered with no endorsements. Also I wouldn't allow my dog to mate an obviously overweight or otherwise unhealthy bitch.
:)

I think it is many things to different people the best person to actually ask is the actual owner of the dog who has stipulated it.

For me in addition to the health checks if any, it would be compaticble in type , not have been over bred, the planned litter would need to be for the right reasons, you could ask again what is "for the right reasons" but each person sets their own guidelines and the owner would need to give an enquirer these guidelines themselves. :-)

BFN

As well as the above, I would also want a stable bitch, if she is nervous or snappy it would be a no.  I would also need to like the owner and feel I could work with them if anything went wrong in the future and any pups needed rehoming.

Hi Aimi,

Agree with JG and Blue on there comments - would also add that bitch would have to be of very good temperament too - nervy and/or aggressive bitches will pass these negative traits on to their offspring :(

I also take into account when approving the bitch if I approve of the owners :P  At the end of the day they will be raising the litter and I like to ensure that they are either already known for producing well socialised and correctly reared litters and giving full back up to their puppies future owners or, if it's a first time breeder, that they are not the "know it all" type and are willing to seek advice and take the important parts on board.  Additionally first timers should have a valid reason IMO for wishing to breed and ideally have some potential homes pre-arranged.

Stud dog owners have a moral responsibility for the puppies too - I look at my dog being used as me (in part) breeding the litter - hence if things are unlikely to be handled in the same way as they would be if it actually were my litter, I (politely) find a way of discouraging the use of my dog ;)

Regards, Teri
(ps typing while Keriok posting :D ) 

One that's had all the health tests for the breed and fits the standard of the breed.  Though there again if she's slightly too tall or small then she'd have to go with a dog that throws pups that are the other way round :d  She would have to be perfect in every other way though.

I believe that a dog who has a slight fault if put with a dog who excels in that area should be used if temperament, health tests etc. are perfect.  But if she/he had many faults then she wouldn't be used.

My bitch's sire's owner has recommended a dog to use (we are outcrossing this time). As I have not met the owner of the recommended dog my bitches sire's owner had said that she would let her know that she has approved my bitch and us !!
This was the reason for my original post if anyone was wondering.
Good to know she has approved us as well as my bitch !!

I think the other thing about the word approved is that if you say for example, " approved bitches only"  not always, but it may help to discourage not so desirable breeders even wasting a stud dogs owners time by asking as they may hopefully know by seeing or hearing this that they will not be entertained.  ;-)

Afraid not.  I got someone ring me up the other day with a bitch who had no hearing test certifcate and a blue eye.  When I told her that I couldnt consider one with a blue eye she said but the whole litter had them and couldnt see the problem at all.

"Afraid not"   Now why am I not suprised ;-)

You are always going to get one that is life BUT  I said it "may" and I know for a fact it does with some NOT with EVERY undesirable enquiry but most . If I  have the words " approved bitches only"  and it deters  2 out of 3 wasted calls then it is better than a poke in the eye isn't it ;-))  less time I would be wasting.   Thing is  it maybe doesn't work for them all but the proof is in the pudding as a lot of decent breeders do use this terminology.

We all know nothing is infalable  , just like puppy contracts, endorsement etc BUT we must always try to deter the not so desireable. Every little helps. All the little add up :-)))))

IMO a approved bitch is as follows

A bitch wich is-
hip scored with a ccepatable result
a appropiate age
conforms to the breed standard
has a excellent temperament
who retains the natural hunting abilities required in my breed
has a pedigree compatible with my stud dog
whos owner is fully aware of the implications of having a litter from their bitch
:)

All of the above plus a bitch which compliments my dog, without the same major fault(s), so that I think the resulting puppies will be BETTER than either parent.

How I agree teri :)  The owner needs to be as approved as the bitch in my mind....afterall the pups are going to be representing my dog when they are produced & shown or worked & its vital that the person using the stallion hound has the same exacting high standards of husbandry, breed welfare & puppy rearing as I do.