INFORMATION FOR BREEDERS

Selecting the right sire for our dams, raising healthy puppies, and finding just the right home for each puppy is what it is all about. Information is the key to success.

Please visit the Borzoi Breeding Links for a wealth of information. They have links to sites on artificial insemination, rearing puppies, the fading puppy, selecting sires, temperament testing and much much more. Also, check out the breeding myths.

HEALTH TESTS PRIOR TO BREEDING

The Dam and Stud must have been cleared of hip dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or by PennHIP (The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program). Dogs that have been cleared via OFA will have an OFA number. Additionally, ensure the Dam and Stud have been cleared of eye problems. Dogs that have been cleared will have a CERF number. (See the GPCA code of ethics.) Carefully consider whether to use a dog with a hernia for breeding since umbilical hernias are most often hereditary.

For the safety of the Dam and the Sire as well as your family, both the Stud and Dam must be tested for Brucellosis. Brucellosis is one of the few venereal diseases among dogs. It is passed through breeding but can also be passed when sniffing an infected dog. This is a very serious disease that can be easily avoided by a simple test before breeding. It is associated with embryonic absorption, abortion, weak pups that die soon after birth, eventual sterility in both male and female. Once in a kennel environment, it is highly contagious. Brucellosis may be passed to humans.

Visit our health page for more in depth information on health concerns when breeding your dog.  Click the red buttons above for more whelping and new puppy information.

PROMOTING THE SIRE

For those of you with an outstanding male, let the other breeders know about him by advertising, taking him to shows to get those AKC titles, and take him to specialties. We have a very small gene pool and every good male is important for improving the breed. When you advertise, use a good picture that shows those nice shoulders, good type, and sound structure. Never use a bad picture of your dog. If they are standing high in the rear in the picture of a group win, advertise the group win but do NOT use that picture. Be sure to save some sperm for future generations.

SUPPORT YOUR BUYERS

When you sell a puppy, you must provide a current health certificate, a three generation pedigree, a feeding and care sheet, a contract concerning the sale, and AKC registration papers, where applicable. Click here to see a sample contract. Consider providing the buyer with a GPCA membership application form.

Continue to provide information and support after the sale and be available to answer questions and address the buyers concerns about issues such as housebreaking, leash training, grooming, ear posting for cropped puppies, and feeding.

GPCA BREEDERS HELP LINKS

Click on the Link Bar above for information on temperament testing, taking care of cropped ears, caring for newborn pups, and more. Also, check out the pages on questions buyers might ask and how they can check out the temperament of the puppy you have selected just for them. Please let us know if we can provide more information. Visit the Club News Page to see information on joining the breeders list.

LINKS ON GENETICS AND BREEDING A BETTER DOG

Developing High Achievers by Carmen L. Battaglia. This is an great article on socializing puppies while still in the whelping box.

Responsible Breeding Steps - See the steps required for responsible breeding from AKC.
It's What's Up Front that Counts - If we wish to achieve our goal of breeding quality dogs in fewer numbers, we must set our sights on producing and rewarding dogs with correct front-end assemblies.
True to Form - To keep our dogs whole, breeders must build on the underlying sense of purpose in the standard - and put it to the test both in the ring and in the field.
Extinction Is Forever - Consistency in the selection procedure is the common element linking breeders who produce greatness generation after generation.
The Maternal Grandsire Effect - Genetics work in horses and mice has produced revolutionary and exciting new insights that may influence your canine breeding decisions.
A Thumbprint of Influence - Great breeders never compromise the essentials of the standard. they strive to contribute no more than the merest thumbprints of influence.
AKC Online Support for Breeders, Registration, etc.
AKC Breeder Resource List .
Developing a Breed's Healty Gene Pool
Information on Population Genetics

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