My partner and i are both 26 and have a 1 year old Staffy bitch. We have thought about breeding her and i guess you are all going to say leave it to the professional and experienced but didnt they all start in the same position as us. Anyway we would like to find out as much information as possible before making pur final decision. For starters what is the best age for her to have pups. Any other information would be grately appreciated, but no abuse or lectures i know what you lot can be like ! Joking
Thanks

Hi
firstly have you asked your self 'why' you want to breed your bitch....is she a good example of the breed type/standard ??i don't know about staffy health issues, but im sure there would be some kind of 'health screening' before any mating took place..

i totally agree with you..No one should be judged for 'breeding' but only if they are doing it for the 'right' reasons.......everyone has to start somewhere and all these experienced breeders of many years where young too, when they first started...

but please let me assure you..there is no money making, it is a very costly thing..especially first time round because of all the stuff you will have to buy..ie..welping box..heating pads..vet beddding...the list could go on for ever...but if you are taliking of this then you probably will already know all this.....as a lot of thought has to go into it...

will you be able to tend to the pups 24 hour(no sleep) a day for the 1st 2 - 3 weeks and then again at weaning time - if you don't work or only part time,then you have time on your side..........we all have to learn and no one should judge you for that, but if your girl is your world and maybe you want to keep a pup and her health is upto it...then good luck and best wishes to you!!!

PS...the book of the bitch is a good read...if you are thinking of breeding this is definatley a good book to have..

Also as you are new to breeding you really should be mentored by an expereinced breeder, preferably your bitches breeder if reputable and a producer of quality stock (If they just dabbled in breeding it may be your bitch is chance bred or of insufficent quality to be bred from). This may not matter as by doing your research, joining bred clubs, attending shows you will learn about your breed, and even if you find yo7ur own bitch is not breeding material, you will learn what is required and may end up purchasing a quality pup later on that will be a sound foundation for your breeding line. :D

Breeding a litter is too important a responsibility to leave things just to luck.  It is best to know the dogs in the studs and bitches pedigree to know which traits are likely to be passed on to the pups, as a firt timer you won't have had a chance to know them so you need the knowledge of people who do.

I bred my first litter after studying old yearbooks with my bitches ancestors pictures therin, then consulted both my breeder and my bitches sires owner (who both had over 30 and 40 years expereince of the breed) on the various dogs, so as they could tell me what they were like in real life, what kind of sires and Dams they were, what character traits etc. 

Now that I have had a few years in the breed I have been able to help people who have bred from pups they have had from me, though of course I still consult others for their advice as they ahve more expereince than I.

Forgot to say that you have a good year to do your study, as she should be at least two years old before having a first litter.  Shy not have a go at showing her in the meantime, it will give you an idea of her quality against her peers,a dn can be fun.