Hi my name is Kim and I have a neo mastiff who owns me. He is a wonderful dog who looks after the family wonderfully. I would love to put him to stud and have no idea how to do this. Can anyone help please. I would also like to breed neo eventually so again any help would be appreciated. Thanks Kim

Hi Kim, I think before you even consider using you neo at stud there are a few things to think about. Has he had all health checks done that are neccessary for your breed? I would imagine hip scoring would be essential. Also, do you show him? If not it is unlikely that any other breeders would want to use him, he needs to be seen at shows to be "appreciated". Also, you must make sure that any bitch that is likely to visit your boy is compatible for him, in construction, temprement, and bloodlines. As for becoming a breeder yourself, you will need to buy a bitch.:):);) The same applies as for your dog really. Make sure her parents have had all applicable health checks done, that they are of good temprement, are typical examples of the breed, and if you are thinking of using your own dog, that she has compatible bloodlines to his.

Hello Kim, just to add to the advice Philippa has given you. Breeders use Stud dogs that are known in their particular field, i.e. Showing, Obedience, Agility, Working Trials etc. (general dog events). This way they get to know the dog and can find out about him. It is quite general to also see the puppies they have sired at shows too. So folk can see how they turn out!

Your dog if used at stud, will then require regular bitches. (Another reason for becoming known in a dog showing environment). There are many wonderful pedigree dogs, so breeders can be choosy, they want the best for their bitch. Your dog must therefore be a good example of his breed, with all the necessary health checks completed by a Vet, excellent temperament, and 'catch the eye' of others in the field of dog events by doing well himself.

This way you will build up a good reputation with breeders, for their bitches to visit.

Once a dog has been used at Stud, he knows 'what its all about' - and will want and need a bitch. Therefore, if not used regularly, he could go searching at any opportunity, and become very frustrated, resulting in bad behaviour.

So Kim, think carefully, or simply enjoy your dog for the wonderful dog he is, and if someone admires him and asks about his lineage, put them onto his original breeders (that's what I do with mine).

All the best,
Denise.

Hi Denise,

You said "Once a dog has been used at Stud, he knows 'what its all about' - and will want and need a bitch. Therefore, if not used regularly, he could go searching at any opportunity, and become very frustrated, resulting in bad behaviour."

I've often seen similar comments on Champdogs and elsewhere, but my experience has been that dogs used at stud don't change at all in behaviour, and that experienced boys are, if anything, less inclined to look for partners as they often don't bother much unless the bitch is standing rather than getting excited about any in season bitch. Maybe that's because my breed is not highly sexed at the best of times, but I'd be interested to hear of other people's experiences.

Hello Sharon,

I think the difference here is as you say in your Post is an 'experienced stud dog'. Unfortunately, my Post was suggesting a dog being used very occassionally, i.e. a neighbour's dog, and why it is important to become known to breeders generally. Not an experienced lad with an appropriate number of visiting ladies!

Obviously, this is equally a generalisation for guidance. I have owned 'entire' males who would not even give a passing glance to an 'interesting bitch'!

However, I have known Owners of some dogs having had an 'alliance' with a neighbour's dog, go in search! - and become quite irratable. Even dogs who have not 'had their oats' can be highly sexed and rappant!

So in order to try and help Kim, I was suggesting what the dog has never had he cannot miss!!

What 'laid back breed do you have Sharon?

With regards,
Denise.

Denise, I have deerhounds, and as they are a numerically small breed, 'experienced' is a relative term :-), but as you say that are very laid back. So I was interested in how people have found more highly sexed breeds to change after they are used at stud.

Welcome to the forum Kim.

You might find the following link on breeding and stud dogs of some interest.

Just to add, that it doesn't necessarily follow that your dog will become a 'sex monster' should you use him at stud. My dogs have been used sparingly at stud and I haven't had any major problems with them afterwards. Just be aware that some dogs do become a pain in the ass after they have been used. I think a lot comes down to the individual dogs and you, but you need to consider every eventuality :-)