What to do, breeding wise?

Question

Me and my husband are breeding our Shih-Tzus. And I was wondering if it is a must (meaning you absoultuley have to) give your dogs a genetic defect test and blood test? Or is this just to ensure their breed quality for possible buyers that are more interested in the breed's heritable bloodline?

All the tests are to be made before any breeding is done is it nessacery?

"Or is this just to ensure their breed quality for possible buyers that are more interested in the breed's heritable bloodline?", For people who will be using the dogs for show.

I got this info @ shihtzu.org, I'm new to this and just started reading up. We'll be breeding them in this fall/winter.

Answer 1

I would contact the breeders that you got your dogs from. .If they have done the testing on both dog's parents, you are pretty well covered for the first generation.
Be certain to have both dogs a physical, to rule out thyroid condition or heart mummer. These are both common in Shih Tzu, yet mostly show up as the dog ages.
This is the minimum of responsible breeding.

I work at a doggy day care and boarding kennel. We have several Shih Tzu clients, and most are on some daily medication...
These dogs are loved as much as any show champion, but were purchased from 2 local DIS-reputable breeders...The breeders seem like very nice people, who take good care of their dogs, but they didn't bother to have vet checks before breeding, and are selling heartaches.

Answer 2

Pure bred dogs of some breeds are prone to things like hip displaysia and blindness and Von Willdebrands. These are all preventable by having your dog tested for them. If everyone who was going to breed their dog would have them tested there would be no more hip displaysia ever. But people are to cheap to have the dog checked for it and are only out to make money breeding dogs. So now people keep getting dogs with it and kepp breeding them. It goes on.
If you care about your dogs and the puppies they will produce find out what type things Shih-Tzus needs to be checked for and have it done.
As a buyer I would not even consider looking at dog who had not had the testing needed. I know that if the owner did not have the testing done they are just another back yard breeder looking to make a buck. I have Weimaraners and I work them in hunting and field trails I need them to be able to preform the job for which they are bred. If they have hip displaysia they could not run in the field or if they were blind they could not see to do their job.
So if you are going to breed be responsible nad find out first and save your furture puppy buyers the heartache of falling in love with a pup and then finding out something preventable is wrong.

Answer 3

The problem with breeding, especially in the United States, is that a lot of dogs are inbred. It is hard to find a pure, purebred dog. Why you would want to have it done, other than insuring a somewhat good bloodline, is that with inbreeding comes problems. The dogs could have things like epilepsy, or more life threatening problems that would cost a lot more money down the line, then the blood tests will now

Answer 4

If this is your first time reading is good but I would try to contact a experienced breeder to help you the first time. Although reading books and looking up on the Internet the know how will give you the basics but it will never tell you what to look for. Please don't do this alone for many dogs have come into my animal hospital with dystocia (difficulty in passing a puppy) and have died because new breeders don't know what to look for. Like if the animal is in distress, or if the puppy is breech. It's not something you just jump into think about your dog find someone who's a breeder who can help you at least for your first and second time.

Answer 5

This protects YOU from breeding a dog that may have a genetic problem. If you sold a puppy to someone for a lot of money, you normally have to guarantee it's health. You could be liable for many times the animal's sale price if it came up with a genetic problem, and you didn't take the time to have it tested.

Answer 6

why do you want to breed more dogs? Money? I don't breed but lots of people have said that breeding is a very expensive hobby, and that you don't make any money for at least 3 years, if then. Plus if you don't do the testing, and sell "heartaches" (unhealthy dogs) like the other post says, then your reputation is shot and you'll have to place your pups in less desirable homes. Please reconsider your idea to breed; there are too many dogs in the world as it is.

Answer 7

Responsible, knowledgable breeders will do the appropriate health checks. It is not fair to the potential puppies and new owners not to do health testing. What if some of them were born with some awful disease?

Inbreeding should only be done by very knowledgeable breeders who know the dogs in their pedigree for generations. It is a very tricky thing to do and is used rarely by good breeders.

Answer 8

oKC only recognizes 2 inbreeding in a dogs blood line. A responsible breeder will not allow any. SO when you buy your pups, your seller should provide you with the pedigree of both parents, if you see any inner breeding, I would run. And find a responsible breeder.

By breeding inbred pups you are only allowing the further breakdown of that breed.

Answer 9

There are no laws that say it has to be done. There is a lot involved in getting the testing done and a lot of expense and you have to pass that along to the buyers. Most buyers do not want to have to pay for all the added expense.

Answer 10

well i have been a breeder for a long time you do not have to do these tests unless you are going to breed with a champion dog , if their has been problems in the past history of your dog , then yes get tested this will for see any problems