I have been approached by a lady about using my 3yr old westie as a stud for her 4yr old westie. The 2 dogs are meeting tomorow to see how they get on etc Im just after any advice you can give me. Also If I do decide all is well how much could I charge Ive never done it before. Also my dog is a pedigree dog but not sure if the bitch is. As i say any help would be appreciated.

Have a read of this post and I think you may want to rethink the whole idea.

Read the recommended link given above, but apart from all the fairly major things such as health issues (and my understanding of Westies there are some big problems relating to skin) and pedigrees, lines, temperament, and all the very many other reasons why you shouldn't, have a think about the following - not normally mentioned:

As the stud owner you may think it's just a case of performing (not always as easy as you might think, specially if girl would like to rip boy's head off on first approach) and getting cash, or pup, in return. But what about welfare of pups?

How will they be raised, fed, socialised, trained? Will they & Mum get vet treatment if needed - can be very very costly. What about homes? You as stud owner will not be involved in the selection of homes for your precious boys children, big lot of trust to put into someone hoping they'll get it right. How would you feelnif one of his pups ended up in a puppy farm? Or in a rescue at 4 months cause it had gone to someone who couldn't cope with doing puppy things? Are you prepared for possible character change in your boy - could lead to straying, constant bitching, etc, once he's got the taste of what he's not had. So many reasins why you shouldn't especially for your own peace of mind.

Note, all of above said on assumption you don't know anything about breeding as you stated you didn't know if the bitch was a pedigree.

If you are determined to breed from your boy then talk to his breeder (if come from reputable breeder) & get
their help & support.

:-)

I also think that it is a shame to do a 'one off'.  think of this, you say to your boy guess what you have and guess what you can do with it?, then tell him and guess what, you are only getting to do this once.

then you have as the above post mentioned the health side.

Firstly i will say i am not a breeder just an owner. Before this lady approached you were you thinking  of using him ? If not what is it about this approach that appeals ? If it were me and I was considering using my dog at stud either before or now I would want to slow down do all my research ,consider what it really means ,as in your responsibility morally to the pups as was previously mentioned in more detail and decide if this is an avenue you really want to go down and your reasons. Also how is it going to affect your dog ?

I have been asked by people about two of my dogs The first being my gsd who is a beautiful looking dog comes from good lines but not necessarily right for breed standard himself, together with the fact that he had one testicle. I know of plenty of people who said I was wrong not to use him but I know I wasnt wrong and those were only some of the reasons.
The second being dog is  my pomx . Yes she is georgeous and gets many admiring comments and has one prizes in companion shows. However she is a cross , so why do I need to increase more puppies like her? I dont know her health background and havnt had her health tested and although I am sure the resulting puppies would be very cute that is not the right reason imo to breed.I also wouldnt want to risk her health I was so pleased when we had he spayed I could honestly say sorry cant be done.
Personally I would say thank you for the request but no thank you and go one the way you were going to before this lady spoke to you

> any help would be appreciated

Don't do it is my advice.

Westie are one of the most overbred breeds, and one which seem to suffer from a lot of health problems.

I have entire males (not all used at stud.) If your boy is only going to be used once, I would honestly advise you not to start using him at 3 years old.  Don't take the chance that he will do his utmost to escape and seek out more romantic encounters. 

And the males of some breeds, once having mated a bitch, will constantly scent mark, and start cocking their legs on the furniture.  Before someone shouts that their males are used regularly at stud, and don't ever cock - there are some breeds that are known for it.

I used one of my own dogs for stud this year (ONCE) -first time I've ever used one of my own. He now constantly cocks his leg indoors (up the bookcases, the sofas, even IN the sofas -and even on the cats!) and he has become very bossy and snappy. He now bosses all the other dogs around. Get this, this is a Papillon and he beats one of my Malinois up so much she is scared of him! Away from home I can no longer let him say hello to other dogs as he snaps at them instantly. He never used to be like this. He's just as lovely with people, but it is NOT nice to have to deal with the constant peeing and his bad temper. I met Jeangenie and her lovely Dalmatian pup at a show yesterday and it was somewhat embarrassing to have to explain that sorry, I can't let my dog say hello to yours because I don't want him to snap at yours!

i havnt had the peeing in the house BUT since our boy has been used he thinks hes the king!!when he goes on his walks my hubby has to make sure hes not near other male dogs now and if we have friends over with thier dogs (girls) he thinks there here for just 1 thing!! he cries we have to creat him he dont leave them alone, he will try but not very often to mate our spayed girls but the girls do but him in his place now hes 3 but because hes only been use 3 times he just thinks every bitch he meets wants him .....we did everything right before useing him hip scored and bloods done had him put in afew shows to see how he do but he didnt like it, so we had a judge go over him and tell me his faults, so after doing all this and paying alot out i wish we hadnt used him some days so think very hard before you do it can change a dog not all but it does happen most of the time!!

I always find these threads interesting as im inexperienced at using my boy. He has serviced a few bitches and yes he now cocks in the house, he hasnt become snappy yet but i try to avoid those situations anyway. I do have an older neuter aswell so i keep an eye on that.
Although im happy to help people out in my breed, (and my dog carnt be used alot as his sire has been used) i sometimes wonder if i should have used him at all. It can be stressfull especially when the dog is telling you the bitch is not ready but the owner is adamant she is :( I had couple argue amongst themselves and another tell me i should trade my dog in for a mongrel, i was so upset. Carnt believe how some folks are so nice but when it becomes to their bitches they get so upset and even angry, that particular one was mated a week later.
Its not good at all dont bother!

eta sorry having a bit of a rant aswell!