INFORMATION FOR BREEDERS

Selecting the right sire,  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 Sire and and Dam must be cleared of Hip Dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or by PennHIP (The University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) before a breeding takes place. Dogs that have been cleared via OFA will have an OFA number, and shown on their database. Additionally, ensure the Sire and Dam have been cleared of eye problems. Dogs that have a current clearance will have a CERF number and will be shown on their public database. NOTE, CERF exams are only valid for a year, and requires annual renewal.  (See the GPCA code of ethics.) It is also highly recommended that vWD DNA testing, and Thyroid function testing of all breeding pairs be done. Carefully consider whether to use any dogs with health issues felt to be hereditary in your breeding program. 

For the safety of the Sire and Dam,  as well as your family, both  should 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. It has been shown to be associated with embryonic absorption, abortion, stillbirths, weak pups that die soon after birth, and 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.

AKC ANIMAL CARE RECOVERY CHANGE

The AKC is no longer automatically registering Home Again® microchips with their Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) Service. The recovery of lost pets already enrolled in the AKC CAR database will not be affected by this change.

You can still enroll your pet in the AKC CAR database no matter what microchip you use. You can enroll your pets online at the AKC site or use their enrollment form. Contact AKC CAR for this form if required.

www.akccar.org
Recovery Hotline: 1-800-252-7894
E-mail Address: found@akc.org
Fax Number: 1-919-233-1290

In the future, those using Home Again microchips will be enrolled in the Home Again Recovery Database for a small fee. Click to see their information. Those using AVID microchips are enrolled in the AVID Recovery Database. Click to see their information.

SUPPORT YOUR BUYERS

When you sell a puppy, you should 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