SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO BREED

What goes into evaluating a dog or a bitch as "breeding quality"? What tasks and tests need be done prior to making the decision to breed? Here’s a checklist of minimum requirements.

• Do both dog and bitch have full AKC Registration? Look for purple-bordered certificate. Is person listed as the owner the one presently in possession of the dog?

• Is the bitch co-owned? If so, all owners must sign agreement to breeding and registration of pups.

• Are both dog and bitch of proper age for breeding? Dog = 2 years or older ; Bitch = at least 2 yrs and no older than 6 if first breeding.

• Have dog and bitch both been shown with enough success to assume that they meet the Standard? If not, have they been evaluated by impartial Pyr breeders and strong and weak points noted?

• Have dog and bitch had their hips x-rayed and the plates submitted to GDC or OFA for reading? Are both dogs free of Hip Dysplasia?

• Have dog and bitch been examined for other genetic defects such as, but not limited to Osteochondritis (shoulder), Luxating Patella (knee), malocclusion (mouth), undescended testicle (male), poor pigment, poor temperament, thyroid deficiency?

• Have the pedigrees been evaluated for dwarfism and other genetic defects by a member of the GPCA Health Committee?

• Have owners of both dog and bitch read the Code of Ethics recently with an eye to understanding their several and joint responsibilities as regards the litter?

• Do both owners understand that they have lifetime responsibility for the pups produced; that if the owner is the bitch is unable to fulfill that responsibility, the welfare of the pups produced becomes the responsibility of the owner of the stud dog?

• Have both dogs been recently tested for and found free of brucellosis?

• Has the bitch been recently vaccinated to help boost the immunity in her pups? Has she been examined by a vet to determine whether there is any vaginal stricture that might prevent breeding or safe whelping?

• If the dog has not recently produced a live litter, has he had a sperm evaluation?

• Does owner of dog have a written stud contract that conforms to the Code of Ethics?

• Does owner of bitch have a written sales contract that conforms to the Code of Ethics? Sample copies are available from the GPCC.

• Does the owner of the bitch have both physical and financial capability of caring for a large litter if all pups don’t sell by eight weeks of age?

• Is this a breeding you will still be proud of years from now?

-Catherine de la Cruz

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