I have recently bought a shih tzu and I am thinking of putting him out to stud,
I would appreciate any advice on how to go about doing this.

Thanks

Sue

Bitch owners usually contact the owners of dogs who are doing well in the show ring and have clear results for hereditary problems in the breed. Sadly if "you put your dog out to stud" you will most likely have no enquiries or only enquiries from those who want to make a fast buck. No responsible bitch owners would pay a stud fee for an unproven dog handled by a complete beginner . Its just too risky for both the dog and the bitch. Mating dogs requires enormous experience, its not just a question of putting two dogs together. There is so much involved, too much to even start saying! Please just enjoy you dog as a loving companion and unless you are going to prove him in the show ring first, I'd forget about it.

Is your dog an outstanding specimen of his breed? Responsible breeders, those who strive to improve and preserve the desired points of their breed as listed in the breed standard, are looking to use dogs to enhance the qualities of their bitches.

The dog would have to prove himself in the showring, be of excellent temperament, and undergo the relevant health tests applicable to the breed.

Sadly there are too many puppies, no matter how sweet and loveable, who are the product of ignorance and greed.

Breeding should be carried out with a purpose in mind, not only to provide companions for the puppy buyer (this can be provided by any little dog), this purpose should be to Preserve and possibly Improve the breed, by eliminating health problems (thankfully dogs have far fewer hereditary problems than people), to mate together animals with these aims in mind requires a lot of study of the pairs ancestors good and bad points, are you in a position to know anything of your dogs ancestors, other than their names, and whether they were Champions or not?

Enjoy your pet, and when you come to want another go to a breeder who has carefully considered all the above points!