If you are considering breeding golden retrievers than this is a decision not to be taken lightly. You should ask yourself why am I doing this? The only good answer to that question is if you were truly seeking out an opportunity to improve the breed.
Responsible dog breeding is typically a labor of love. Very few dog owners that choose to breed make any money. Usually, this is something that someone will do out of pride or for the opportunity to show the results in AKC events for example.
However if you have come to this conclusion of love for the breed, then there are some things that you need to know to get started correctly.
Good Stock
The first thing that you need to know is that you need to make sure that your potential sire is extremely healthy. You want to be sure that she has an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. This may seem obvious but wait until she's full-grown at least two years old. You want to have her checked a number of times by your vet. You will also want to be sure that you are feeding your dog with an extremely high quality diet rich with vitamin supplements.
Heat Timing
The next thing that you need to do is to track when your potential sire goes into heat. This is extremely important because typically they only go into heat about twice per year you need to get this right or to get close because most attempts fail due to timing issues.
You need to keep adequate records of when she goes into heat and then use hormone tests to predict when the next breeding possibility should occur. If you keep decent records, a spreadsheet will do, you should have success predicting the next window of opportunity.
It is also extremely important that your breeding quality be of highest possible standard. Bear in mind any flaws present with sire or damn typically get passed on to the next immediate generation. Breeding Golden retrievers means that you may have to deal with hip, eye and ear problems. You will want to have breeding stock screened for possible genetic problems as well as things like hip dysplasia.
Easy Temperament
Both partners should also be of good temperament and ideally constructed within the constraints of the breed you are attempting to replicate, this case golden retrievers. You may also wish to evaluate certain skills to ensure that these are of the highest possible quality for that breed. Golden retrievers for example are typically gun dogs. This means your breeding stock should be capable of performing this action flawlessly. Things like fetching and running and so on. If you show both damn and sire you will be aware of their strengths and flaws.
Breeding Timing
After you have selected a sire and dam to breed, you must carefully determine when to put them together. Most dams are likely to get pregnant 10 or 12 days after they go in to heat. You will want to visit your vet regularly and get hormonal tests to determine when she is ready. During this time you must have the stud together with her and several additional times while she's in heat. If breeding works out you will be able to figure out if she is pregnant about 24 days after breeding. You need your vet to do this.
Nutrition
Once this has happened you must carefully watch her. You must be sure she stays extremely healthy and extremely safe. You must also bear in mind that nutritional needs will be different significantly then from a normal dog. You will need to feed her smaller meals more frequently. Near the end of her gestational period she will need a diet higher in fat. Also during the time at which the puppies are suckling she will also need a diet high in vitamins and extra fat.
Monitoring
Your responsibilities do not stop after you have sold your pups. Responsible breeders are concerned that puppies are placed in good homes and usually have a follow-up program designed to ensure they don't end up in a shelter. You must be ready and willing to take back a dog at any time for any reason.
Breeding Golden Retrievers carries with it a great deal of responsibility. Please don't take it lightly.
Good Luck!
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