Breeding questions?? - Page 1

I am planning a breeding and have lots to think about. I am trying to get advice from everyone I can and choose what I want to do. How do  you recommend confirmation of pregnancy? Radiograph, ultrasound, palpation,etc? How often should the female be checked during pregnancy? Any precautions to take during the pregnancy? Vaccinations she needs before breeding? Nutritional supplements or deworming during pregnancy? How often should the puppies be checked by a vet if I keep them anywhere from 10-12 weeks? What vaccines should be given and at what age for the puppies? Do you recommend the multi vaccines that I can give myself or should I do the single purpose ones from the vet? Most places by me are anywhere from $25-$45 per vaccine with a medical waste disposal fee. That can get very costly!!! When should I start deworming and how often? What dewormer would anyone recommend? Recommendations on dew claws? Stay or go front and back??Thank you so much in advance everyone! I do appreciate it!

It sounds like this is your first breeding, whelping. litter experience... It can be alot to absorb for the first timer. My suggestion to you is READ, READ, and READ some more. There are many good books which are very informative. The BEST book in my opinion is CANINE REPRODUCTION, A breeder's Guide by Phyllis A. Hoist, MS,DVM. This book answers every question you could possibly ask. Its kind of  a breeder's bible. Of course I am sure you will get many different opinions from many breeders. Just be careful to follow the advice of the experience breeders. JMHO!

Keep your dog immunized and use preventatives for things like heartworms always.
Worm if you think you have a problem but not after shes been bred.
You might test for Brucellosis before breeding, some breeders require it before stud service.
Feed well, quality food, keep the dog fit.  (exercise)  I don't believe in a lot of additives, just some simple extras at times, natural not man made.
It can be expensive to have puppies and I don't waste money on verifying pregnancy, you can't change it so just wait and see.  
The vet can be your friend, he can also be a money pit and not know his arse from a hole in the ground.
I've experienced both.
Keep puppies and whelping area clean, no need for an exam unless you see a problem, I leave new borns alone as much as possible for the first couple of days.
Mine get wormed and first shots at six weeks, thats usually the first time they go to the vet. 
Never let them down on the floor of a vets office, don't let people touch them at the vets office.
Keep things simple and relax.  
Find a vet you think you can trust.

P.S.
What are you breeding, and why?

You already have a checklist of sorts. Break down the questions you posed in your post item by item and then set about answering those questions by speaking with other knowledgeable breeders and your veternarian. There is much more involved in the answer to your questions but at least it will give you a running start.

I am breeding Dutch Shepherds.  Stud will be KNPV titled ph1 dog very well known in holland proven producer and my female is arko/pegge knpv line female. It is not for sure yet... still have some health cert. to do but if all is well then it will be set up. It will be my first time and I want to prepare for it the best way I can to provide homes for all the puppies, be able to finance all dogs in case it takes longer for them to find a home, etc. So far I have talked to 3 breeders and 6 different vets. The vets all have their different routes and  I do believe it is mostly to get the money they need off of each and every puppy. That is why I am here, I know there are many quality people on here who do well with their own breedings and vaccinations so I am using every resource I have. I have read many internet articles, a couple of books, and watched some videos. I am feeling pretty confident about my abilities right now because I am a veterinary technician and I have been alongside during the birthing process but I have yet to do the actual breeding myself and raise the puppies from birth. If anyone could give their input on what they do and what has been successful for them I would greatly appreciate it! thank you a bunch! Amanda

When I did breedings, more than 10 years ago, I never used anything stronger than pyrantel (sp) on the bitch. I wuold not give any vac to the bitch after breeding.

I also started the pups worming at 10 days with pyrantel pamoate (sp again, sorry). It is a very safe wormer and gets round worms, which is the biggest threat to pups.

Pesonnally, I would not use the multi vacs. on pups. You can get the single vacs online (Jeffers, KV Vet, etc.). I just don't trust the multi vacs.

My pups never left my yard and I did not allow any visitors to them. I would start the vaccines as late as possible. Parvo first, distemper a week later.

JMHO,
Rik

After all the advice and preparation, just remember.
The dog could have her pups on her own with no help from anyone, and a healthy dog in a clean environment would not need to see a vet at all.
Puppies need basic care and nothing more.
Its not rocket science.
Nature has already given animals the knowledge and we can only complicate a natural process by interfering.
Giving your own shots requires buying in bulk and is not practical for one litter, just use the vet.
Don't be to quick to medicate your puppies, there's a time for worming and its not 10 days.
Again a clean environment and healthy bitch is the key to that.
Take everyones advice with a grain of salt.
Keep things simple.

Moons.

I would have to agree with Moons on keeping it simple. Too many times we stress out the mother cause we think we know best. That is not the case. Help only when help is needed, like when a puppy or mom is in distress, or no puppies in your cause with a new mom and first time breeder no more then three hours (IMO). Keep fresh water for mom and some food handy if she gets hungry durning delivery (most females will not eat but there are exceptions to every rule). 

I am a veterinary technician you stated How comfortable are you giving shots and experienced? if not then I would go to the vet at least for the first shot to make sure you feel comfortable giving then. Ask your Vet that you work for if they can help you or atleast stand by you as you give them (some vet will help  like that - not many but some),

Worming is all done at different times ( to each is thier own)  if mom is clean and been worm before breeding then waiting a while -Should not - be a problem but if puppies are bloated in the tummies, not gaining wieght and passing worms then -worm.

My next question - is there any breeders (good ones) that can mentor you that are local? maybe at your club or???? It also helps having a second pair of hands specially the first time.

OH kids and delivering puppies in my book do not mix. NOW there are exception to the ruls as I know many older teens and preteens that are very helpfull  but were taught and raised up around this world. Since this is your first time and your dogs first time I would have to say keep the stress and noise down and don't let the children keep poppin in and out. It will be stressful enough. After everything is all done and calmed down ( a couple days) then let the kids see the puppies.  Try to get a babysitter or hubby :)

 Another thing have handy is food and water for you , something to read or watch, clear your day or night  of everything else so you can be with her, pillow and blanket , asprin ( for body aches from sleeping on the floor or in the chair :) 

Did you ever get her registered? 
That is a very nice blood line on the mother  Arko is a very hard dog who produces him self in his pupps - who did you breed to ? :) 

I have a Arko granddaughter

EK

Thank you so much! I have not been able to find any information on how to get these dogs registered with a genuine registry such as the UKC or FCI. Most KNPV blood never gets registered. I am pretty sure most people know that and that is about all I have. She is an excellent bitch and the stud we are using is proven with arko blood. He is also from Mike at loganhaus, the dutchie's name is Carlos another KNPV titled dog. Very hard and serious dog. Will be a very good breeding. Have not breed them yet. I must prepare first. :) It should be happening around December if all goes well.

I have been a veterinary technician for about 4 years. I am extremely comfortable giving vaccines. I can give subcutaneous and intravenious fluids. I have put dogs and cats under anestesia for surgery and done minor dental cleanings etc. myself. I am more than confident with my abilities but again worry about the proper times to give everything. Based on what most vets have told me this is what I have come up with.... you can confirm a pregnancy in the simplest way is by palpation because you can not change the outcome anyhow (as mentioned above), mom can have radiographs about a week or 2 before she is due to confirm a puppy count. Make sure mom is health cert., wormed for roundworms, and up to date on vaccines before breeding. No major nutritional supplements maybe one multi vitamin unless otherwise specified during pregnancy. When puppies are due keep cost of medical assistance in mind and have an emergency plan but otherwise let her do her thing and keep them enclosed away from other pets or people or unsterile environments until about 6 weeks when they should first be seen. When I asked what vaccines they would give and the schedule they said it would be the exact same thing that I would be giving so I might as well do them myself. I have no problem buying in bulk. I have had very different advice about the deworming and whether or not to even vaccinate for certain things. Again this breeding has not and will not take place until I am sure of my plan, financially ready, and my bitch has been penhipped. Thank you all again and I really appreciate all of your help. Based on what I have come up with does anyone have any other suggestions for me. Amanda

Carlos from what I have heard is a very nice male. Should be a good cross. The reason I asked if you got her registered is cause I was watching your thread to see how you did it cause my girl is also from KNPV  lines. So there was no disrepect hoping you did not take it that way. The Dutch shepherd is very different from the German in reguards on how things are done.

It sounds like you are over stressing (which is better then under stressing LOL) 

Do you have a website?

EK