Should Your Dog have Puppies?

By Paul Jensen

Having a litter of pups can bring a lot of enjoyment to a family. You want it to be a memorable period for you and your children. So it is important though you have the materials ready so you can step in when an emergency strikes.

A great place to start is to read The JOY of Having PUPPIES. The book gives you instructions in text and photos so you are prepared when the big day arrives. It also lists the nine things you have to have ready before your dog whelps. Below are the ten questions you should ask yourself before making a decision to breed.
It's natural that if you own a bitch, (please don't be offended, I am using the word in the article as defined by Webster's dictionary as an acceptable terminology for a female dog) you'll ask yourself, one day, "Should she have puppies?"  I know.  I did.  And my answer was "Yes!"  But I didn't reach the conclusion without asking some more questions -- and so should you.  You should ask yourself, as I did:

  *  Is our bitch of such a QUALITY that she should procreate?
  *  Is our bitch's TEMPERAMENT good?
  *  Is our bitch HEALTHY & DISEASE FREE to risk having puppies?
  *  Is our bitch certified free of HIP DYSPLASIA?
  *  Is our bitch's DENTITION correct?
  *  Will we have the two breeding animals tested for BRUCELLOSIS?
  *  Do we know the BREED STANDARD?
  *  Do we have the TIME for puppies?
  *  Do we have the SPACE for puppies?
  *  Do we have the MONEY for puppies?

The world doesn't need more puppies, just better ones.  There is really only one reason to breed and that is to improve.  I would like to emphasize that breeding is a combination of art and science.  To breed is also a privilege and not a means of making money.  Many an amateur breeder has found that getting the house filled with seven-week old puppies is no picnic and especially not if new homes have not been found for them yet.  Many of these breeders may have to give several of their puppies away because there is no way that they can keep them all.
So, please think about your decision to breed very carefully.

About the author:
Paul Jensen has been involved in raising, training, showing, judging, and breeding dogs for more than 30 years. To learn more about breeding dogs in particular please go to The JOY of Having PUPPIES web site.