Stud Service

[Johnny G.]

Has anyone used their dog for stud service? If so, what is the going rate/price?

 

[karennj]

Has your dog already had all the health testing done? OFA, hips, elbows, thyroid, eyes, heart, DNA and does he have his CH or GCH? Without those you won't get much as you will be dealing with a BYB. I know the rate for a Great Dane with all the proper health tests and show titles will fetch 1,500 per collection. Basically that stud fee will pay for all the tests you did (but probably not the showing costs). You will also need to determine if you are willing to do a live cover or not. Some breeders won't even do it and honestly I would not want to do a live cover with my male.

 

[Johnny G.]

Thank you. I was approached by someone who is looking to breed their female some time next year. My boy is only 18 months, he hasn't had any extensive testing done other than his normal physicals. Nor have I showed him. I'm 50/50 with showing him, its not something I feel I need to do but I am curious about showing him. What is a "BYB"? Back Yard Breeder? What is a live cover? As you can tell, this is all new to me.

 

[karennj]

Yes, BYB is a back yard breeder and honestly we have enough ill breed or unwanted dogs out there that we should only be practicing responsible breeding practices. Live cover is allowing the dog to actually mate with the bitch vs. doing a collection. I do know a few dogs who did live cover and their temperament changed a bit.If your going to do it, do it right. If your breeding for the money your doing it for all the wrong reasons. Responsible breeding is not a profit making hobby. If someone approached you out of the blue for breeding and did not inquire about any health testing or even proof of DNA I would run away.

 

[Hiraeth]

As karennj suggests, there is a lot more to breeding than "hey, your dog is pretty, my dog is pretty, let's make puppies". Ethical breeders take into account a very large range of factors, including (but not limited to) show performance, temperament, health issues and test results, offspring from the bitch/sire's previous litters, etc. Ethical breeders research lines for years before making choices. Titan's breeder had his litter lined up for two years before he was born, and chose his sire to match with his dam for very specific reasons. Not just because he was a good looking dog.

Breeding should be done for a purpose. And "to produce pretty puppies and make money" doesn't count. As karennj said, there are enough dogs without homes out there that we don't need other people breeding for the heck of it. If someone doesn't have a *goal* with breeding their dog, such as to improve the breed either show-wise or health-wise or produce good performance dogs or therapy dogs, etc, then they would be considered a byb and should not be breeding.

 

[Johnny G.]

karennj, thank you. I appreciate it. Well, I'm not concerned with the money but nothing is done for free. Like I told my breeder that I purchased my dogs from, "I'm more concerned with protecting my dog." I don't have to use him for stud service. My breeder gave me some great advice. I spoke with the person last night and he was more curious about learning about the breed and setting up connections locally. His Presa is only 1 yr old. He said his Vet told him to wait until she has her 2nd heat. I told him that I have a female as well and I will not breed her until she's 2 yrs old. I told him, if I was him, I would hold off on breeding her right now. I can tell he was new to the breed so I gave him some knowledge that I've gained to help him not make any mistakes. He is looking to learn more about the breed so that's a good sign. I told him when she's ready, and if he still wanted to venture down this road, we'll discuss it more in depth...and see what can be done and do all the testing needed if it gets to that point.Hiraeth, thank you as well. And I agree, breeding should be done for a purpose. My female will only have 2 litters at the most and I have a great bloodline that I'm looking to preserve. I'm talking to a number of breeders to pick their brains and gain knowledge...on top of doing my own research. I appreciate you both for your input.

 

[Hiraeth]

It's great that you were able to share your knowledge with the person who approached you I hope he will take it to heart and make the proper choices when it comes to breeding his female!

 

[karennj]

Anyone new to breeding should only do so with the a responsible breeder as their mentor. I think starting now to hook up with a great breeder is a fantastic idea.