Choosing a Stud Dog

Choosing a stud dog is an important part of the breeding process. Most potential breeders will spend a great deal of time preparing their bitch for breeding. Whether they purchase the bitch as a puppy or an adult dog they will carefully evaluate the dog physically, socially and according to temperament to ensure the bitch they select for the breeding process is of the highest quality. Responsible breeders will also have their dogs undergo a series of health examinations to obtain certifications declaring the dog is free of eye, joint and other health problems which are undesirable. This same amount of diligence will apply to the process of selecting a stud dog for a breeding. This article will outline some of the factors to consider when selecting a stud dog.

Before a breeder begins the process of selecting a stud dog, it is extremely important to carefully examine the bitch. Hopefully, by this point in the process the bitch has already received all of the necessary health certifications and is evaluated to have a temperament that is suitable for breeding and matches the qualities the breeder would like to replicate in future litters. However, these are not the only considerations when evaluating a bitch for breeding. The owner should also carefully evaluate the bitch with a critical eye when selecting a stud dog. It might even be worthwhile to have other knowledgeable breeders examine the dog and evaluate her physical structure as well. During this evaluation process you will likely find small flaws in the bitch which should not necessarily preclude her from breeding but there should be attempts made to correct these flaws in future litters. When you carefully evaluate your bitch for slight flaws you can select a stud dog likely to assist in correcting these flaws and it will help you to select a stud dog that compliments your bitch well.

The simplest and most common theory on selecting a stud dog involves breeding like to like. Based on this theory a stud dog will be selected based on his overall ability to compliment the bitch in terms of appearance. Litters produced from these breedings are likely to produce puppies that resemble the parents which share a similar appearance and structure. As long as the appearance is acceptable according to breed standards and the structure of the parents is sound the puppies produced from a like to like breeding are likely to have an acceptable appearance and be physically sound.

Line breeding is the more complicated method of choosing a stud dog. During the process of line breeding the pedigrees of both the dog and the bitch are carefully examined. In-breeding involves breeding a dog and a bitch that share commonalities in their pedigrees. This means there are several dogs and bitches that exist in the lineage of both the dog and the bitch. This type of breeding can be risky and is only recommended for experienced breeders who have carefully researched the pedigrees. Another type of line breeding is called outcrosssing and involves matching bitches and stud dogs that share no, or very few, common ancestors in their lineage. Care is still taken to ensure the pedigrees are of a high quality.

Whether you decide to select a stud dog based on like to like breeding or line breeding you will likely narrow your choices down to a few worthy dogs initially. After the potential stud dogs are narrowed down to a few options, it is a good idea for the breeder to contact the owners of each of these dogs. During this contact the breeder can learn a great deal about the potential stud dog. The owner should be able to provide any available health certifications as well as information about the litters sired by the stud dog. They should also be able to speak to you objectively about the strengths and weaknesses their dog offers. This is important because it will help you to make the best possible decision for your bitch. Breeders should be wary about stud dog owners who do not produce health certifications and cannot elaborate on the strengths and weaknesses of the dog.