Dog and Cat Breeders Education and Training
Get information on how to become a responsible dog or cat breeder
Dog and cat breeders education and training is vital to ethical and responsible animal reproduction. Irresponsible breeders may attempt to breed their pets without any knowledge of mating, birthing, and caring for the newborns. Not only does this hinder the perpetuation of specific breeds, it contributes to the pet overpopulation problem.If you would like to become a reputable dog or cat breeder, you'll need extensive education about the process from start to finish. You have to dedicate yourself to taking care of your pet and her offspring, and you have to be able to handle the time and monetary costs that go along with breeding. To become a professional cat or dog breeder, consider the following:
1. Find out as much as you can about your breed and their mating behavior. The first step for local cat breeders and dog breeders is finding the right mate.
2. Get some information about the birthing process. Local dog breeders and cat breeders are responsible for making sure the birth goes as smoothly as possible.
3. Understand that the litter is your responsibility until you find loving homes for the babies. Many people find cat and dog breeders online, so you may want to advertise the new additions that way.
Learn mating procedures for dog breeders and cat breeders
Choosing a mate for your dog or cat is a vital part of the breeding process. Your goal as a breeder is to improve the breed, so being familiar with conformation standards is very important to picking a proper mate. You also need to know about how to actually get the animals to mate, since this is sometimes easier said than done.
Try: Attend one of the "Breeders Education" seminars affiliated with the American Kennel Club; the club also provides countless online resources for breeders, including articles about mating. Cat Breed Advice.com provides conformation information to help you pick a suitable partner for your feline.
Prepare for the quintessential part of cat and dog breeding: the birth
Although in many cases the birthing process is uneventful, complications sometimes happen. You should always allow the mother to do what her instinct tells her to do, but you also need to know how to act in the event that something goes wrong. In addition to general birthing knowledge, you should also have some knowledge about complications specific to your breed, such as emergency c-sections in small dogs like chihuahuas.
Try: Foster & Smith has a great article on how to prepare for whelping. Cat Pregnancy Report has a great video showing how to care for a kitten who doesn't breathe upon being delivered. The author of that site also offers an email course for breeders expecting a litter.
Find out what steps dog and cat breeders take after the litter is born
After your dog or cat gives birth, she will take the lead, but you'll have to help her out. Remember that taking good care of her is as important as ensuring that the babies stay safe. After a few weeks, the puppies or kittens become more independent and you'll take more of the care burden from the mother. Finally, you'll have the responsibility of finding a loving home for each member of the litter. Don't forget to contact your veterinarian for the babies' first vaccinations.
Try: Read through the article provided by WebVet, which is geared toward both puppies and kittens, to learn how to care for a new litter. Woodhaven Labs has a good list of questions to ask potential buyers as well as tips on responsible breeding.
- You should think long and hard about your commitment to becoming a dog breeder or cat breeder before getting started. Pet overpopulation is a huge problem, so it's not wise to start the breeding process if you're not sure you can follow through and find loving homes for all your litters.
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