I have a ten month old male GSD from one of Ed Frawley's lines. I _currently_ do not have any plans on having my dog castrated. My basic question: _If_ I should decide to breed him, what is the best way to go about finding out information on locating some one that wants to breed their bitch with my dog? What age should my dog be prior to his breeding? I have been told that when breeding my dog, I am entitled to a "Stud Fee" and or the "Pick of the Litter". If some one could start me off in the right/correct direction, I certainly would appreciate it. I don't want to start out on the wrong foot.

My first question would be Why do you think your dog should be bred? Is it to obtain another dog? To make some easy money? Other?

Breeding dogs can be a necessary evil and while I am sure you have a nice dog you need to seriously consider the fact that THOUSANDS of GSD's are put to sleep in shelters every year. Do you really want to contribute to that? As only owning the stud you have no control as to who ends up with those puppies and who is to say the owner of the bitch isn't just going to sell the puppies to whoever has the first $.

On this note I would like to add that not all the dogs in shelters came from bad breeding. So just because you bought a good dog and are intending to keep him, doesn't mean that others will have the same mentality.

If you are serious about wanting to do this though you need to wait till the dog has been OFA'd. That means no nookie till the dog is at least 2. There are other risks as well. You could end up with brucellosis which is potentially fatal for your dog.

Are you planning to work this dog? Titles also make him much more attractive to potential bitches. I would not breed my precious bitch to a dog just because of a pedigree.... I want to see some proof.

I would not step into studding out your dog lightly. I really feel that anyone that wants to start breeding dogs should spend some time volunteering at an animal shelter and seeing what comes though those doors. Most do not go back out those same doors. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Another thing to keep in mind is this-- do you want to be responsible for someone else's bitch for several days?? It is most common for the bitch to be sent to the dog, which means YOU are keeping a bitch you do not know for 3-10 days AND having to make sure nothing happens to her while she is there. Do you want that responsibility? Someone might sue you if their bitch gets lost/stolen/hurt while at your house.

And DEFINATELY get your dog tested and titled before you try to breed him. ONLY the best dogs are used for studs by serious breeders, since a dog can be used many times a year. A bitch can only be bred once a year (average), so many so-so bitches are bred to the best stud available. Is yours the best? It is statiscially unlikely! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And unless you PROVE it, nobody will know it even if he is!