Hi All

I have read with great interest the post regarding breeding from a "pet" dog as I am currently facing the same dilemma.  I just wondered if any of you know an alternative method of "advertising" as our next show is not until the end of July as I wanted to give him a break to concentrate on becoming a Dad!
We are both "virgins" at the stud game so I thought ideally it would be better for me to find an experienced bitch and breeder who can initiate us.
Has anyone got any useful tips - should I contact the breed club for example?   Do many breeders use stud dogs that are not their own?

Thanks in advance

The huge majority of breeders use stud dogs that are not their own! It's important to find the most suitable dog for each bitch (there's far more to it than being merely of the same breed!) because you need one that will complement the bitch, enhancing her virtues and not doubling up on her faults.

If your dog has a good working record, whether at shows, in the field or in agility, for example, and he's passed all his hereditary tests, then bitch owners will no doubt have asked you if he's available ...

Thanks for your message.  I haven't really done much showing with him, and we have our first agility competition at the end of July, so although much admired by friends and people we meet on our travels, he hasn't been seen by that many people or possible breeders as yet.

Its usually the owner of the bitch who approaches the owner of the dog. It is not really the done thing to go around asking breeders if they want to use your dog. Has he had all his health tests, and do you know what lines are best for him to be used on? Most good breeders travel miles for the right dog - he is very rarely living with them.

He will need not only all the usual health tests, eyes, hips etc, but also to have been DNA screened for the marker gene for CEA. Even if he was clear when he was screened before he was 12 weeks I doubt any responsible breeder will consider using an non DNA screened dog

You'd do best to keep showing him.  If he does well (and even if he doesn't but is admired from the ringside!) then bitch owners will approach you if they feel that his qualities would compliment their bitch.

Thanks Fillis

This will be very useful.  He hasn't yet had all his health checks but i have been looking in to where to go for them.   As far as lines go, I haven't a clue I'm afraid - obviously I have his pedigree, but being new to the game I'm not sure of the lines etc.  I was going to wait until approached (and hope that they know more!).

Like whats been said.  keep showing him and wait untill a bitch owner asks you.  If your dogs not being seen then no-one can ask you.

Becomming a "Dad" doesn't mean you have to give up showing, it's not like it takes up alot of time.  (You wouldn't expect a man to give up his job while him and partner are trying to become parents would you!?!?!?!!!!!!)

When looking for a stud dog for our bitches we see what is in the ring.  We see what we like and which dogs we think would do our girls favours and would hopefully produce something better.  As the bitch owner we then ask the dog owner can we take a closer look at the dog, including lots of pictures and seeing him in his home and out of his home.

As a dog owner we tell bitch owners all our dogs faults and see what they think about it then.  It is important you have all health checks done, and also you know your dog has agood temprement with people, children and other dogs.

http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?tid=55104

Have you read the above post?

Archer

Thanks Archer - I found this interesting before I posted the original - but it doesn't tell you about finding the suitable partners

That is because it is the bitch owners who seek out the partners :D  Bit different to the human way around.  Bitch owners can afford to be choosey.