Once you have made a decision to breed your dog, taking into account the cost and time involved, amongst other factors, you are then left with the task of choosing the most suitable stud dog. Locating stud dogs and basic details has been made much easier with the introduction of stud dog directories, which can make it easier to find a stud dog that is much cheaper than some of the champion breeds, but still have the right qualities for dog breeding.

Choosing a stud dog can be a complex task so it is wise to undertake some research first, perhaps asking your vet to recommend an expert for you to consult. Before looking at the stud dogs on offer you should study your own dog first to understand all her traits, both positive and negative. Even though she may be a fine specimen of her breed there will be some weaknesses, maybe her coat texture or her size. A stud dog that can compensate for these weaker points by having strengths in those areas will have a greater chance of producing a litter of puppies with fewer weaknesses. The original breeder of your bitch may be able to help you in this area.

Doing some research into the breed regarding the health checks required before breeding, thus helping produce a litter of healthy puppies, is essential as certain breeds can be predisposed to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia, which is common in many dogs such as the German shepherd and retrievers. Some breeds have congenital eye defects or are prone to certain skin complaints.

After considering the stud dogs on offer, narrow your choice down to three or four so that you can contact the stud dog owners and discuss the availability and the dogs’ strengths and weaknesses. Consider the age of the stud dog when you are narrowing down your choice as the optimum age is between eighteen months and ten years old, although this can be dependent upon breed. Consider the practicalities of the location of the stud dog as you will want to visit the stud dog and see him for yourself first and you will have to take your bitch there when her season starts. Ideally you will take her to the stud dog in the first week of her season so she can settle in, so the distance you are able to travel is important.

If this is the first time that you have been involved in the mating process it is advisable to select a stud dog whose owner has some previous experience as they will know what to expect and can be on hand to make sure all goes to plan. When you contact the owner of the preferred stud dog, be wary of anyone who is not forthcoming with details of their dog’s history as they should expect to be asked these questions.

Each breed of dog has certain breed specific traits and a stud dog who meets those requirements, has a good temperament and a good breed history could be a potential candidate. Always check that all health checks are up to date and certificates should be produced in order to ensure a healthy litter of puppies.