Would you ever? - Page 1

Would you ever...................?

As a stud dog owner and/or breeder, would you ever allow your prized and cherished stud dog off your property for a breeding? Meaning would you allow him to travel to the female, for a breeding? I realize there are a very few select times that it might happen (Stud is going to stand at stud someplace, stud dog owner doesn't have the facility to house the bitch, etc.) however, its not a customary practice in the dog world, and looking to get input and thoughts from other breeders/stud dog owners.

Just curious of other breeding program practices, and what they find to be the 'normal customary practice' within your kennel and geographical region.

Thanks, looking forward to your responses.     Have a fun, safe and happy holiday!

I recently did this for a friend who wanted to use my male for stud. She lives a few hours away, and for both of us to travel after working long days, it just seemed too much. I made the decision to let her take my male for the five days to breed to her female. We spoke on the phone a few times, and everything was good. Would I do this for anyone? most likely not. I trusted her completely, as she is also a vet, with nearly 30 years experience. I have a few other breeders I know and trust that I would probably consider this again.

Several friends questioned me on why I did this? Do you just send your stud off all the time? Of course not! But there was a level of trust and I felt very comfortable with her taking him, plus I knew she could handle anything that came up with him. I would definitely let him stay with her again, should she choose to utilize his services.

I prefer to take my male to the female that needs to be bred. He adjusts very well to any situation, as he knows why he is there. I really do not like having a female stay with me for breeding. That is a huge responsibility for me, and one I am not very comfortable with.  I will do it, and I have, but I would rather not have a female in standing heat at the house if I can help it. It really disrupts the balance of my dogs.

I would if he was breeding multiple females and the females were of good quality (hips, titled and paperwork to back it up)and either I wanted puppies back or had worked out a lease agreement of money upfront with a set amount of time he would be there and the requirements for both sides. Of course you NEVER do anything without a contract. If the other kennel is too far to travel to to look at in person then ask for vet references and talk to people who have done business with them. It is a gamble but so is shipping your female to be bred.

My prized and cherished stud dog...that would be Hawk!!...has often left my property for training and trials and such before he was retired from competing. Now he is my constant buddy going with me when he can to run errands and hikes and help train the occasional new decoy. I know you are referring to for stud use, I will address that in a minute, but I want to make it clear he never has been "quarantined" due to his importance and I know of no stud dog that is.

THAT said, I have on occasion allowed him to be used for breeding off my property, either by meeting people at a little quiet roadside spot, or traveled to the females, but in every occasion they were friends of mine and I was wiling to go the extra "distance" for them. Normal protocal is for the female to be brought to the stud dog. Females are often "less bitchy" when not on thier own turf, and it is even better if the owners are not around, escpecially when the female has never been bred or is a bit "spoiled".

Most stud dog owners are very experienced in "handling" the females during the mating. One that is not well managed can easily do a lot of physical damage to the stud dog. She can needlessly exhaust him by being allowed to resist. She can bite him and easily damage an ear or leave puncture wounds. And once tied, he is in a very "vulnerable" position should she fight to get away.

My stud dog would never ever in million years be allowed for use for stud without my being present for several reasons, except for by maybe his breeder, and only because she is one of the few people I trust with him. My other concerns besides for his welfare is I want to make sure he is only being bred to the agreed upon female. He is also a strong dominant male and not every one can handle him.

Our normal scenario here is the female is brought here a few days before she is expected to be receptive, to settle in, and just in case she is ready for breeding earlier than anticipated. We try to get a mating every other day once he tells me she is ready and until he puts her back on his "nuisance' list, at which time we let the owner know she is ready to be picked up.

Kandi Jacopino

Canaan CT USA

www.rokanhaus.com

Keep in mind also that a stud off of "HIS TURF" may not be as enthusiastic at getting the "deed" done!  Alot of the time the new environment will be a distraction and the dog may miss the bitch's ovulation because he is busy sniffing every thing but the bitch! 

I would NEVER let my Darko go to another place for breeding!  Most stud dogs are very strong physically and I would be very upset if my dog was all confused and broke out and got away!  Bottom line, no one else has the bond with my male that I have and out of his own environment he may not listen to the bitch owner, he might get away, he might not even breed the bitch! 

I have always been told the bitch comes to the stud!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

My stud dog would not be shipped to the female's owner, or leave my sight for any reason.  I could meet the female's owner somewhere off my property, but my stud dog would still be with  me and not out of my possession.  The answer is no, I would not send my male for breeding out of my possession.  The risk to him is not worth the stud fee.

molly

Good point Vickie!

Most males become "insane" when a female in standing heat is nearby. They will scale fencing, break down doors, and even chew through fencing in a matter of seconds. Housing a female in heat and an experienced stud dog takes having a well thought out and SECURE set up. I think most females who come here to be bred can pull a crate door in with unbelieveable ease. I happen to have keeping everyone where they belong down to a science. :)

Never mind the howling all night long!!

A bitch owner who is not experienced in keeping "determined to mate" dogs can be in for quite a wake up call...figurtively and literally.

 Under NO circumstances would my studs ever leave my property to accomplish a breeding without my supervision..
I can't imagine a stud owner accepting this risk when it is the female and the female's owner who is in need ot the services of the stud dog...the risk is too great...ie: risk of exposure to illness from a kennel which you cannot inspect, prior to your dog going there...the fact that illness or parasites that  he may be exposed to can then be brought back to your kennel , contaminating your grounds, putting your breeding females and their youngers who have undeveloped immunities at great risk could be devestating to a breeding facility...and then there is the risk of injury to your stud dog, who may escape from caregiver or from kennels which he may be housed in during the breeding term...(what they believe to be adequate to house their females or young males oftentimes does not contain and keep in a determined stud dog, ) 

 There is also the risk that the caregiver does not have adequate experience to handle a determined stud dog and may be bitten if they are too involved in direction of the breeding...many studs will not accept interference, especially from someone they do not know.  WIth respect to breeding a maiden bitch, great injury can occur to your stud dog if the caregiver is not experienced in how to handle the two dogs, to insure that neither of the breeding partners incurs injury.  You can't just throw them together and hope that a mating happens....

 For those who do not want to send their female to the stud, there is always shipped semen...the owner of the female can request that semen be sent if they do not want to send their female to the stud owner...that is their choice.

If they did progesterone tests so we could arrive with the minimum amount of wasted time spent breeding, if I accompanied my stud to the bitch, if I stayed there and helped with the breedings, and if there was more than one female...yes.  I'd would want to be in charge of my stud dog and his safety, and in that respect, would be no different than breeding him at home.  I might send him to someone I trusted.  Right now, I don't know who that would be.  Veronica

Ah Yes, the issue of trust. 

This is the issue which becomes a great problem...many will tell you anything you want to hear just to make you think everything is just peachy ,,,but it is very difficult to know that what they are telling you is the way it really IS,
unless you are there to see it first hand.