Thinking about breeding dogs
Breeder
Booklet 1
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
This is the first in a series of booklets developed to support the successful breeding of dogs.
Booklet 1: Thinking about breeding dogs
Booklet 2: Developing a breeding program – understanding genetics
Booklet 3: Starting a breeding program
Booklet 4: Care and husbandry in the breeding environment
Booklet 5: Reproductive anatomy – getting pregnant
Booklet 6: Pregnancy
Booklet 7: Whelping
Booklet 8: Care and early development
All rights reserved.
This work is copyright of Dogs Queensland. Dogs Queensland would like to acknowledge Greyhound Racing Victoria for sharing the contents of their Breeder Booklet Series to create this booklet. Date published 2024.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
You are thinking about breeding a litter of puppies
Many people who are involved in pedigree dogs consider breeding a litter at some stage.
Some may have had a successful show female who they have now retired and want to breed a new show dog. Other people may see it as a way of being involved and enjoying pedigree dogs.
Before you make a decision to breed, you needto consider that breeding is expensive and requires a lot of time and effort. Apart from lots of planning and preparation, there is a large amount of work in caring for both the female during the pregnancy and then with her and the pups when they arrive.
It is also important to remember that genetics plays an important part in pedigree success and both the female and the male contribute to the genetic potential of the pups.
There are a range of different costs associated with breeding, some of which are mentioned below in Figure 1.
It is important that you also be prepared for surprise costs that can occur when things go wrong, such as when a pup gets sick, or the female needs a caesarean to whelp. A litter is time consuming and costly.
The cost of breeding and raising a litter of pups yourself may initially seem a good option when compared with the overall cost of buying a couple of well-bred pups, given the mating costs are spread over possibly 6 or more pups.
In addition to keeping the female healthy, every step of the way, you need to ‘get it right’ to ensure your pups can reach their genetic potential. Growing pups need the benefit of the best possible food, the right amount of handling and exercise, and close monitoring if they are to develop into a sound and healthy dog. Some of the most critical stages of a dogs life in preparation for a pet or show career are the whelping, rearing and education phases.
Early socialisation and best practice handling and management of a puppy during this time is essential. The readiness of a dog to transition through these steps based on confidence and an ability to cope in new environments and situations will ultimately impact on suitability in their chosen discipline. It is important that you do not cut corners in these phases to ensure it results in a happy and well balanced dog.
You also need to think about what you plan to do with the pups you breed. Will you sell all or of them or will you be retaining them for yourself? If your female has a large litter, it may be impractical to keep all the pups and you will have to decide which you are going to keep.
Finally, you need to seriously think about the facilities you have and whether they will be appropriate for your planned breeding activities. Good facilities make for easy and safe handling of breeding dogs and result in healthy and happy pups.
Figure 1: Breeding costs
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Responsible dog ownership and regulations for breeding dogs
As a responsible dog owner under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and relevant Local laws, you are required to ensure your dog(s) are:
• Microchipped before 12 weeks of age or at point of sale
• Registered with your local Council at 3 months of age
• Housed/kept to the maximum number of dogs permitted on your property by Council regulations and zoning
Dog owners are also required to meet minimum standards around maintaining a proper enclosure, keeping the enclosure in a clean and sanitary condition, preventing your dog from causing a nuisance by barking or roaming and control vermin and pests on your property.
Further to this, an owner or person in charge of a dog has a duty of care under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to provide appropriate care including food, water, accommodation, treating injury and disease, exercise and socialisation.
As a breeder, it is also important to consult with your local Council in regard to the regulations for breeding dogs on your property as a permit, licence or development application may be needed.
Responsible breeding requires you to think and act in the best interest of your dogs when considering their future when they retire from breeding. Set retired breeders up for success by having a good breeding program that involves socailisation and inclusion in your daily life activities so they can transition into a companion home.
In Queensland, you are also required to comply with the Queensland Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Breeding Dogs and their Progeny
These standards and guidelines outline the care, management and housing of breeding dogs and their progeny to allow dog breeders to meet their duty of care and promote positive animal welfare management practices.
Dogs Queensland uses these guidelines to form the basis of our Kennel Inspection and Monitoring Program. As part of the Program, members with current Breeder Prefix’s are required to submit an Annual Submission to report on breeding activities.
Physical Kennel Inspections are carried out each year across all Zones with a set number inspected each year. Inspections will occur a maximum of once every 3 years.
There is also the Queensland Dog Breeder Register that requires anyone who sells, advertises or gives away a dog to have a Supply Number. As a Dogs Queensland member, your details are automatically added to the register each year and members can use their membership number as their Supply Number when advertising litters.
Dogs Queensland Rules and Code of Ethics
When developing your Breeding Program, it is a requirement of our Rules and Code of Ethics to ensure you are breeding dogs with the intention of maintaining and/or improving the standard of the breed and welfare, health and soundness and to eliminate hereditary diseases. The current version of the Rules and Code of Ethics can be found on our website. Some of the key Rules in relation to breeding are as follows:
• Only mate bitches when they are fit, healthy and physically mature i.e. not before the dog has reached 12 months of age or as specified for certain breeds set out in the Rules of National Breeds Councils and/or Breed Clubs
• Not allow a bitch to whelp more than twice in eighteen (18) months
• Not allow a bitch to whelp more than four (4) times
• Not breed any bitch aged seven (7) years or over at the time of a mating unless there is a current Veterinary Certificate stating that the bitch is in good health at the time of breeding.
• Not breed from any male dog under nine (9) months of age
• Not mate a bitch or dog to a close relative, i.e. mother/son, father/daughter or brother/ sister
• Not allow your purebred dog to be mated:
○ to a dog of a different breed
○ to a crossbred dog
○ to an unregistered dog of the same breed
○ a dog owned by a non-financial member of State/Territory Controlling Body and/or without a valid Breeder Prefix
○ to a dog not on the Main Register
• Dogs must not be:
○ sold or transferred from your care under eight (8) weeks of age
○ exported under (11) weeks of age
○ directly or indirectly given as a prize or donation in any contest or raffle of any kind
• Dogs must only be sold where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and a breeder is to assist in the rehoming of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
• Dogs Queensland membership numbers must be displayed on any advertisement for sale of dogs and include the following wording in the advertisement: “Please contact Dogs Queensland to verify my membership”.
• Purchasers of dogs sold or placed must receive written details of all dietary and immunisation requirements, including a current vaccination certificate and details relating to responsible dog ownership and their responsibility for the care and welfare of the dog.
• Records of breeding activities must be kept including general dog health information, whelping, internal and external parasite (fleas/ticks/heartworm etc) control, vaccinations, purchases and sale of dogs.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Building
your skills and knowledge and finding a Veterinarian
If you are seriously considering breeding, start to think about building skills and finding and establishing a good working relationship with a veterinarian wellbefore the breeding takes place
If you are seriously considering breeding and whelping, then research, research, research. Remember that it does require a significant investment of time, money, facilities and technical knowledge.
Knowing what to do in caring for your female when she is pregnant and then ensuring both her and the pups are healthy before and after birth is essential.
Finding a suitable mentor who has experience in breeding and can provide guidance around genetics, anatomy, husbandry and breeding
and involve you in their breeding activities will provide hands on experience and increase your knowledge.
Having a good relationship with a veterinarian is important. This veterinarian will be responsible for providing veterinary services to you, offering 24-hour emergency services or referral to a 24-hour clinic.
The veterinarian will also be able to provide advice about nutrition and care and once you have a litter, can administer vaccinations, carry out health checks and microchipping.
Breeder Booklet No. 1 Thinking about breeding dogs
Breeding registers and using Show Manager
Dogs Queensland manages two main Registers in relation to breeding dogs:
• Main Register – is open to dogs whelped from a Sire and Dam that are both registered either in the Main Register of Dogs Australia or other Register or Studbook recognised by Dogs Australia and the application is accompanied with a DNA Parentage verification report that qualifies the puppies to the Sire and Dam.
• Limited Register – is open to dogs whelped from a Sire and Dam that are both registered either in the Main Register of Dogs Australia or other Register or Studbook recognised by Dogs Australia and the application is accompanied with a DNA Parentage verification report that qualifies the puppies to the Sire and Dam. Limited registration is certified where the breeder stipulates that the dog is:
○ Ineligible for exhibition at a Conformation Exhibition, and/or
○ Not to be used for breeding purposes, and/or
○ Not entire or has been de-sexed, and/or
○ Ineligible for Export pedigree, and/ or
○ Not registered on the Main Register
All relevant forms must be submitted with the litter registration.
Dogs Queensland uses Show Manager to record breeding activities. Show manager can be used to register a litter. We recommend you read the Show Manager How to Get Started Guide for creating a Show Manager User Account and adding your dogs details to the Show Manager System.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Understanding the paperwork and record keeping requirements
It is important that you are aware of Dogs Queensland paperwork and record keeping requirements before you breed your litter. Throughout the breeding process it is a requirement under the Rules of Dogs Queensland that various forms are submitted to Dogs Queensland.
In summary these are:
Registration of female and/or transferring the breeding female into your name
Rules: Section 20 & 22
Registration of male
Rules: Section 20 & 22
DNA Profiling
Rules: Section 22.3(5)
It is important that you understand which forms need to be submitted and when. Having the correct paperwork will ensure you are prepared, and there will be no hold-ups when it comes time to sell your pups. If you do not comply with these requirements, Dogs Queensland may refuse to register any pups from the mating.
The breeding female must be registered either in the Main Register of the Dogs Australia or other Register or Studbook recognised by Dogs Australia and have a DNA Parentage verification report and/or DNA Profile.
If you are not already the owner of the breeding female, the ‘Application to transfer registered ownership of dog’ form located on the back of the dogs Certified Pedigree Certificate must be completed and signed and, if the female is being leased, a termination date included. This way you will be listed as the breeder of the litter.
The breeding male must be registered either on the Main Register of Dogs Australia or other Register or Studbook recognised by Dogs Australia and have a DNA Parentage verification report and/or DNA Profile. The breeding male must be registered either on the Main Register of Dogs Australia or other Register or Studbook recognised by Dogs Australia and have a DNA Parentage verification report and/or DNA Profile
All litter applications submitted with puppies to be registered on the Main Register or Limited Register, must be accompanied with a DNA Parentage Verification Report that qualifies the puppies to the Sire and Dam. In line with the Dogs Australia protocol for DNA testing, DNA sample collection must be performed by an approved independent collector. Identification of the dog by microchip is required and it must be verified by the approved collector at the time of DNA collection and recorded on the appropriate form.
Breeder Prefix Application Rules: Section 23
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Prior to breeding you must apply for a Breeder Prefix. The Breeder Prefix identifies all dogs bred by you and becomes the first word of the names of all puppies to be registered. For example, Prefix ‘LOGIC’ name ‘GOLD NUGGET’ the full registered name of the puppy would be ‘LOGIC GOLD NUGGET’. Also note that to apply for a Breeder Prefix, you are required to hold a current General Membership (not including Community Membership).
For information on how to become a member, visit Dogs Queensland at: dogsqueensland.org.au
A Prefix Name shall:
• be limited to one (1) word, consisting of not less than four (4) not more than twelve (12) letters; not including numbers, whether in numerals or words;
• not include apostrophes, hyphens or punctuation marks of any kind, however no restrictions shall be placed on the use of the words “von” or “vom”;
• not include names that are misleading as to sex or relationship or any word which may be considered offensive;
• not be identical to, or similar in spelling, or phonetically, to a prefix name already registered, which could be deemed to cause misunderstanding or confusion;
• not include breed names or a common animal name;
• not include a country, town or suburb name or a notable person;
• not an Australian Registered Business;
• be protected wherever possible if it is registered with Canine Controlling Bodies Overseas.
Try looking up names on these sites to ensure your Prefix name complies:
• Google (make sure it is not a town or suburb in any country, a notable person etc)
• FCI Database here (will show up as overseas Prefix)
• ABN Lookup here (will show Australian Registered Businesses).
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Litter Registration
Rules: Section 21 & 22
Other Forms
We strongly recommend you read the step-by-step instructions for the Online Litter Registrations process. A member who breeds a litter of dogs must register all living progeny within eighteen (18) calendar months of the date of whelping or prior to sale or rehoming. Fees are scaled with litter registrations received by the office within four (4) months of the date of whelping attracting the lowest fees.
If the breeder wishes to register a puppy as a part owner, a Partnership Agreement form must be signed by both parties and accompany the litter registration.
Supplementary forms may also be required in the following circumstances. These can be found on the Dogs Queensland website: dogsqueensland.org.au
• Limited Register Agreement – Can participate in Sports Disciplines, however, are; not eligible to enter a conformation exhibition, breeding or export
• Not for Breeding Agreement – Shall not be bred from without the written consent of the breeder
• Not for Export Agreement – Shall not be exported to another country without the written consent of the breeder or previous owner
• Certificate of Fitness – Required when the bitch has whelped more than four times in eighteen months or over 7 years at the time of mating
• Artificial Insemination Forms (Frozen or Fresh semen).
Breeder Booklet No. 1 Thinking about breeding dogs
Record Keeping
Once you commence breeding it is vitally important that as a breeder, you keep excellent records, not only in relation to the breeding you do, but also for each dog involved in your breeding program.
How records are stored is equally important as the records themselves.
It is a requirement under Section 27 of the Dogs Queensland Rules, that:
‘Each breeder of dogs must keep in a bound book or suitable computer database or spreadsheet, with provision for suitable details, a proper record of his/her dog breeding activities’ and;
‘Such records and the kennels and the relevant dogs shall be made available for inspection by any person appointed for that purpose by Dogs Queensland’
However your records are stored and collated, having the records located in a central position and categorized to allow specific records to be located easily is essential.
Also refer to the Dogs Queensland Rules and the Queensland Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Breeding Dogs and their Progeny for specific information to be recorded as a requirement to comply with this code.
The records required for each breeding dog and their progeny are as follows:
• Date of birth
• Microchip number
• Vaccination history
• Worming and parasite control history
• Health issues and treatments received
• Veterinarian/s consulted for any health issues
• Identity of parents
• Results of health testing carried out (e.g. DNA testing, X-rays, CT scans etc.)
• Age of the dam and sire at mating
• Dates of mating and whelping
• Number of puppies born, including any still births and deaths of pups before eight weeks of age (and reason for death, if known)
• Date of disposal/sale/transfer
• Date of death and reason, if known
You are also required to keep records for dogs you own or part own that reside at another location. The person who has the dog is considered a person in charge and is responsible for providing appropriate care.
Records are required to be kept for a minimum of three (3) years or the life of the dog.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Making sure the facilities are appropriate
If you are planning on breeding, you will need to have appropriate facilities for doing so. This may mean:
• separate housing for dogs that are in season, pregnant, whelping or lactating;
• housing for males that are to be used for breeding and who may need to be kept away from the females at certain times;
• appropriate areas for your females who have a litter and who are feeding their pups, away from your other animals; and
• areas for litters when they become older and need more space.
All of these housing areas need to:
• be safe and secure;
• provide shelter from extremes of weather;
• be well ventilated and free from dampness, noxious odours and draughts;
• provide bedding that protects dogs from weather, vermin and harassment from other dogs, is raised off the ground and is kept dry with soft, warm bedding material;
• be kept clean and hygienic;
• provide sufficient space for the dogs to behave normally and to move around
• provide continual access to fresh clean water at all times; and
• provide continual access to natural light during daylight hours.
You also need to make sure that the housing arrangements and conditions meet the requirements of the Queensland Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Breeding Dogs and their Progeny and the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
wall between pens may need to be extend length of pen if females are not compatible.
This diagram shows an example of how two whelping pens can be constructed inside a shed with access to an external enrichment yard. The rear half of both whelping pens have solid walls to give the pups and the mothers privacy, but if the mothers are not compatible, the entire dividing wall between the pens may need to be solid.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
The Five Domains and dog breeding
The commonly known ‘Five Freedoms’ model of animal welfare was first developed in the 1960s and has shaped the development of evidence-based animal welfare standards that have been adopted world-wide, including here in Australia, as a basic tool for identifying and assessing animal welfare needs.
As animal welfare has evolved over the past decade, animal welfare is going beyond meeting the basic needs of animals and recognising animals emotional needs to encourage positive experiences. This concept has been used to develop a new more contemporary model known as the Five Domains
ANIMAL WELFARE MODELS
Freedom from hunger and thirst
Freedom from discomfort
Optimal nutrition
Enriching environment that meets physical and mental needs
Freedom from pain, injury and disease Good health
Freedom to express normal behaviour
Normal expression of behaviour
Freedom from fear and distress Good mental state
The Five Domains model also highlights that simply removing and/or avoiding poor welfare (e.g. hunger) does not lead to good welfare but may only provide at best a neutral state of welfare. As the correlation between each domain becomes an important part of animals wellbeing – the more focus is given to the mental state of an animal.
The figure below illustrates that the welfare state of an animal is the subjective mental state, which in turn is generated by the four other domains (nutrition, environment, health, and behaviour) that influence an animal’s quality of life.
One of the great strengths of the Five Domains is its acknowledgement that simply minimising or resolving negative physical or mental states does not necessarily result in positive welfare. For animals to have a good quality of life, we need to go beyond minimising negatives to also focus on providing them with a life that is filled with positive mental experiences.
Breeder Booklet No. 1
Thinking about breeding dogs
Applying the Five Domains to Dog Breeding
Breeding dogs takes time, effort and patience to ensure the health and welfare of breeding dogs and their progeny are healthy, well socialised and mentally sound animals. By spending time with your breeding dogs you will be able to recognise even small changes in behaviour which is normally the first sign something is not right. When breeding dogs and puppies live in a positive welfare state, they can focus on growth, learning and activities they enjoy and have the best chance of, breeding well, having a successful show career and adapting to pet homes.
Here are some practical ways to incorporate the Five Domains to have positive welfare outcomes in your kennels.
Incorporating the Five Domains
• Receive regular, nutritionally balanced meals that meet activity levels and life stage
• Have access to fresh clean water at all times.
• Have shade and shelter from the sun, rain, wind, cold and all adverse weather conditions
• Occasionally (1-2 times per fortnight) be provided with different food types as a treat or food puzzles/treat balls to provide variety to their food.
• Have daily access to outdoor areas where they can, run and play
• Spend time with other dogs every day
Five Domains
Environment (Continued)
Health
Behaviour
Mental State
Standard Requirements
• Have a warm, comfortable and raised bed
• Have access to natural light during daylight hours when in kennels
• Be groomed regularly to ensure coat is in good clean condition.
• Be regularly checked for injury and illness
• Have access to immediate first aid and veterinary care when necessary
• Receive vaccinations
• Be treated regularly for parasites and live in an environment that is pest free
• Have an annual general health check undertaken by a veterinarian
• Always have a clean and hygienic environment with regular disinfection to prevent disease.
• Provide kennels of recommended size
• Have access to daily exercise in an area that enables them to run
• Have access to enrichment items to prevent boredom when in kennels
• Have opportunities to socialise with other dogs.
• Be exposed to a range of different experiences in a positive way throughout life
• Be handled gently and kindly
• Be trained using positive reinforcement.
• Be provided with opportunity to participate in activities they enjoy, while considering their safety and well being
• Be monitored carefully and take immediate action to relieve poor mental state.
Breeder Booklet No. 1 Thinking about breeding dogs
Incorporating the Five Domains
• Spend time with people every day
• Be provided with toys, food puzzles or other enrichment items to provide them with different and new experiences.
• Be provided with bones or other teeth cleaning foods
• Be regularly groomed and checked for grass seeds, bites or small wounds and general wellbeing.
• Have regular walks in public to enable socialisation with humans and other dogs
• Have the opportunity to play and socialise with other dogs
• Not be kept isolated for long periods of time without positive interaction with other dogs and people.
• Be provided with environments that are safe and positive; for example, playing easy listening music or classical radio in kennels
• Be included in activities with the family.
