Hi i would like some info on breeding, i have 2 staffies a male and a female, both eye tested clear and L2-HGA clear, i have been researching for some time now but i would just like some advice from people who have had hands on experience. i think i have done all the health tests needed in my breed but if i have missed any please let me know, i want to be a responsible breeder im not doing it for the money, i have 2 outstanding dogs with good line, temperments, DNA tested clear, im not determined to breed its just something i want to know as much as possible aboutso if i do go ahead with it.

Hi Katep, don't want to put a dampner on your future wishes to breed but why breed from your dogs. What can they offer to the breed? Do you show the dogs?? Have they been successful in the showring?? Do you have a list of people wanting your puppies?? Would you be willing to take on the responsibility of taking puppies back in their circumstances changed? Remember the staffie is a very overpopualted breed with loads of them being rehomed every year. Do you have a healthy back balance in the misfortune that something goes wrong during whelping and the bitch may need emergency treatment that can run into thousands??? Its great that you have health tested your dogs but health testing alone isn't enough. Breeding is a life changing decision that shouldn't be taken lightly as you are responsible for those puppies from the moment they are born till they die as you helped bring them into the world. If you can answer these questions honestly I wish you every success
Kind regards, Clare

Well done on health testing :-)

If you do not show it would be a good idea to get somone who knows stafford to give you a honest opinion as to weather your dogs are of good enough quality to breed from, what faults they have (all dogs have some faults) & if the 2 dogs you have will compliment each other.

ie. if your bitch has a small fault with her ears & so does the dog it would not be wise to breed them together.

You would be very lucky to have the perfect dog for your bitch.

Also please look at all that can go wrong with your bitch when in whelp.

You are going about it the right way with testing - why not take them to a couple of shows & see how they do?  then go from there

At the mo there are both still young, just over one so its not something i am rushing into, a friend of mine is a breeder but in a different breed and she also judges, obviously my dogs arent perfect but they dont have the same faults, i have been to a couple of shows and am very interested in entering my 2, if i do breed money isnt a problem, and like i said its not something im even sure im going to do yet, i have lots of time before they are even old enough i just want to make sure that if i do breed i have done it for the good of the breed, im not out just to make money, i adore my breed and would only want to help improve it.
Everyone on this site will know what im talking about, everyone is passionate about there breed but you do get people who just want to make money and dont care about the mum or pups.
Thats why im after as much help and advice.

Given what you say here, then you should definitely be showing them.  If they are over 6 months old, you can show them, and should be showing them if you intend to breed (or have any hopes of breeding).  Especially if you want to benefit the breed and that's your main motive.

I agree with the other posters.

Well done on health testing.

My 2 major issues are:

You say that you have 2 "outstanding dogs", but how do you know this?  (And how can you prove it to puppy buyers?)  The only way to prove this is by showing them.  Have you shown them?  You should at least be showing them regularly at open shows with a degree of success and doing some champ shows, at least the ones nearer to you.  If you want any info on how to get into showing, ask away.

My second issue is - Like someone else has mentioned, it would be highly unlikely for you to just happen to own the best dog for your bitch.  Breeders spend a LOOOONG time researching the breed and trying to find the most suitable stud dog, which they often travel hundreds of miles to use - when there are many others they could have used much closer.  The chances of you happening to own the most suitable dog for your particular bitch are miniscule.  So please don't put 2 dogs together just because you happen to own both parents.

Where in the country are you katep?

If you let us know I will have a look for some shows close to you - It is good you know that your dog has faults - some people think their dogs are perfect

Good luck & pm me if you want help with showing

the best way to know if the two could add to the breed is by showing you will know if they meet the standards and if you have something in both dogs that is worth trying to reproduce in pups. Plus showing is a great way to make connections with other breeders and possibly form lasting friendships with people who will help you every step of the way you may also find a stud that you would want to use rather then your boy