Thinking About Becoming a Breeder? Here’s How to Prepare:
1. Find a Mentor and start with Quality Stock.
Connect with a reputable, ethical breeder whose dogs are registered and titled with recognized kennel clubs such as the AKC, Canadian KC, or FCI. A good mentor may be willing to co-own a well-bred dog with you to help start your program. Choose a breeder who has a proven track record in conformation, health testing, and temperament, and who follows a written code of ethics.
2. Learn Everything You Can About the Breed.
Study the breed standard in detail, including structure, movement, and temperament. Understand the breed’s purpose and history. For Poodles, you should explore resources like VIPoodle.org, PoodleClubOfAmerica.org, and UnitedPoodleAssociation.org. Take courses through AKC Canine College, Good Dog, Avidog, and Puppy Culture to broaden your education on breeding, puppy rearing, genetics, and behavior.
3. Health Test Thoroughly and Beyond the Minimums.
Perform all the recommended health testing for your breed—ideally following CHIC guidelines—and go beyond the basics, especially for new dogs joining your program. For Poodles, this includes DNA testing, hips, elbows, patellas, eyes, cardiac, thyroid, and more. Use OFA.org to register and make health results publicly available.
4. Title Your Dogs in Conformation and Other Sports.
Prove your dogs meet the breed standard by earning a conformation title (AKC, UKC, IABCA, etc.). Strong programs also pursue titles in companion or performance events like obedience, rally, agility, hunt tests, or service dog work to demonstrate sound temperament, intelligence, and versatility.
5. Develop a Breeding Plan Focused on Improvement.
Every breeding should have a goal to improve structure, health, and temperament. Work with your mentor to evaluate pedigrees and match dogs thoughtfully. Avoid breeding just because you have two dogs available—each pairing should have purpose and clear objectives for improving the breed. Keep only the best examples of the breed for your line.
6. Have Experts Evaluate Your Dogs and Puppies.
Regularly seek outside opinions to avoid kennel blindness. Attend breed seminars, enter specialty shows, and have respected breeders, judges, or handlers assess your dogs. Puppy evaluations at 8 weeks by experienced breeders or evaluators are valuable for identifying structure and temperament traits.
7. Prepare to Raise Puppies Correctly.
Before breeding, learn about ethical whelping and puppy-raising protocols like Puppy Culture or Avidog. Plan how you’ll socialize, evaluate, and place puppies in appropriate homes. Make sure you have the time, resources, and facilities to raise healthy, well-adjusted puppies.
8. Be Transparent and Responsible.
Be upfront with potential puppy buyers about health testing, temperament, and what they can expect from your dogs. Offer lifetime support. Be prepared to take back or assist any dog you breed, for its entire life.
Breeding is a huge responsibility and should always be done with the goal of preserving and improving the breed—not just producing puppies.
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