Raising a Canine Stud

Many breeders purchase a male dog and later wonder why he does not perform as expected when it’s time for breeding. Let's discuss how to raise a canine stud to reach his full potential.

The first year is critical. I often wish I could wrap a canine stud in bubble wrap because the environment can significantly impact his health testing. A single misstep from a couch could result in a canine stud who fails hip testing. Therefore, it’s essential to carry out all necessary health tests for your breed, planning accordingly. Some tests can be performed as soon as you acquire the dog, while others must wait until he is older.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you cannot simply expect that at one or two years old (depending on your standards for first breeding age), a trip to the vet will magically yield a perfect collection. Consider how the canine stud feels; he has been a beloved pet, and now someone is expecting him to perform on command. While it’s wonderful when things work out smoothly, more often than not, they do not. Like anything else, practice makes perfect. I understand if you or your guardian home are not comfortable with collections, but the reality is that if you want your canine stud to perform, he must at least be accustomed to having that area touched. I recommend starting with normal belly rubs that include gentle rubbing over that area. They need to feel comfortable being handled. I cannot tell you how many canine studs I have attempted to collect who react with, "No way, what are you doing?"

As a breeder with 30 years of experience, here’s how I raise my canine studs: I provide normal attention and belly rubs that cover all areas. I want them to be comfortable with inspections. At 10 months, I begin attempting to collect. Collection techniques are widely available on YouTube, and we plan to share some of that content as well. I do not expect to have a successful collection on the first try at 10 months; rather, I anticipate they will find the experience strange, which is usually the case. From that point on, I typically attempt collections weekly. Gradually, they become accustomed to the process. By the time I am ready to put them into service as a stud dog, they understand what is expected of them and are usually eager to comply. When my boys see the collection bag, I simply open it, place it around my gloved hand, and they do the rest.