amstaffy
Posted : 8/29/2007 7:49:14 AM
I'm sure this is worthless to post but heck, I'll give it a shot for those who might be out there reading and do wish to breed someday.
For educational purposes mating a dog =BREED not BRED
You really need to do some studying on breeding before jumping into that ring. Many complications can occur in mating dogs. Because you want "Something to remember your dog by", or "experience the gift of life" or "want another dog just like him/her" is not a reason to put your dog through and possibly cost them or their pups their lives.
Breeding is serious business and not for the faint of heart. Most ethical breeders will have spent more money then they could ever make on their dogs with health testing and maintenance. The unexpected happens, complications in gestation, birthing and after whelp to affect both dam and pups. My very good friend just lost her 4 year old bulldog because the pups she was carrying squashed a vital organ. The bitch was lost and the pups were too early to save, she paid a $1500.00 stud fee and has lost her beloved girl. The dog was in great shape, healthy and doiung just fine, accidents happen.
If your not experienced and you are not looking to be a breeder for the long haul, health test, screen new homes, keep pups till they are at least 9 weeks old, able to afford a high quality dog food(Eagle Pack, canidea,etc) to feed mom and pups and have the ability to keep all of the pups if you do not have immediate homes for them AND the ability to take every pup you've produced back no matter what the issues might be for the life of the dog you've brought into this world....then spay/neuter your companion and love them for the dog they are.