I would like to become a Breeder, could anyone give me some tips on where and how I can get started. I have previously bred from a 3 year old bitch but would like to be more proffessional , I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog 11 weeks old and would like to buy a bitch about the same age. I would prefer either Tigerbrindle or Red/White.

Parents must have excellent temperament as I have young children.

Dawn

Contact Tel 01702 543175
Mob 07947 436831
Bobbybaker53@msn.com

Hi, I suggest you buy a copy of the "Book of the Bitch" by JM EVans and Kay White. This will give you an insight into correct breeding practises and is a fabulous doggy encyclopedia to boot. I suggest you join your breed club, adresses on this site. Try and learn as much about the breed as possible. You could also get in touch with the breeder of your present dog for advice. Hopefully your dog has had/will have the neccesary screening for hereditary diseases prevelant in your breed, does that include hip displasia? If hereditary testing for the breed includes Hip scoring,this will cost around £100 and MUST be done, usually at about 12-14 months, you can find out the acceptable score for each breedfrom the parent breed club. . He will almost certainly need eye testing too, as well as possibly other tests. To not do these tests, and/or breed from affected dogs, you will put yourself in a very precarious postion if ever you sell a puppy that develops an hereditary disease, as well as possibly contributing to the number of dogs suffering from hereditary problems. If you intend to use him for a stud for your future bitch - is he a good example of his breed, us dog owners do assume that our dogs are "the best" just because we love them, and we see "beauty" where a breed judge does not. The way to find this out is to show him at Open shows and speak to the judge afterwards about him. Get their opinion as to whether you should breed from him. If he is consistantly unplaced, he is not a good enough example to breed from. It is not good enough to "love your dogs" to be a "good breeder" - they have to be outstanding examples of the breed too. Also with a breed like this, you have to extremely careful which homes you allow to have your puppies. Staffies are wonderful companions when properly brought up, but we all know that when un-socialised and poorly reared by their new owners, can be v. aggressive with other dogs. you have to choose your puppies' homes with great care. I'll get slated now, I expect for saying that. I do not mean to be derogatory about Staffies, I think they are a lovely breed- in the right hands.