Thinking of Breeding your dog? read this first.
To breed or not to breed?
Staffies are lovely dogs and if you own one it
can be tempting to have a litter of pups.
However, it's important to be aware that as with
human pregnancies, dogs can suffer from
complications - and vet bills can be high.
The Staffy has a wide head, and it is not
unusual for the pups to be unable to be born
naturally. When this happens there is a risk of
death to both mum and pups and urgent vet
treatment is essential.
Caesarian sections are sometimes needed and these can be very costly. Even if you have
pet insurance or are registered with the PDSA they will not normally pay for any treatment
needed due to breeding.
This happened to Coco, a dog owned by Andrew and Lisa Geddes. She was struggling to give birth to pups and could not afford the £1200 needed for a Cesearian section, so Coco had to be put to sleep - read their story CLICK HERE
Failure to provide vet treatment for a suffering dog is an offence which owners can be prosecuted for.
pet insurance or are registered with the PDSA they will not normally pay for any treatment
needed due to breeding.
This happened to Coco, a dog owned by Andrew and Lisa Geddes. She was struggling to give birth to pups and could not afford the £1200 needed for a Cesearian section, so Coco had to be put to sleep - read their story CLICK HERE
Failure to provide vet treatment for a suffering dog is an offence which owners can be prosecuted for.
Dogs can carry illnesses – these may not show up in the parents who may appear to be fit and well.
The only way to tell if the pups will be affected is by having blood tests done.
Before breeding, Staffies should be checked by a vet. An eye test and DNA tests for two
diseases (HC N one and L2-HGA) should be carried out.
Breeders can be held liable for the vets bills of puppies if they sell them without proper checks.
Throughout the pregnancy the bitch will need extra food and must be wormed with a suitable
wormer from the vet, as must the pups. They should have their first vaccinations before going
to their new homes.
Pups should be with their mum and litter-mates until they are eight weeks old.
The only way to tell if the pups will be affected is by having blood tests done.
Before breeding, Staffies should be checked by a vet. An eye test and DNA tests for two
diseases (HC N one and L2-HGA) should be carried out.
Breeders can be held liable for the vets bills of puppies if they sell them without proper checks.
Throughout the pregnancy the bitch will need extra food and must be wormed with a suitable
wormer from the vet, as must the pups. They should have their first vaccinations before going
to their new homes.
Pups should be with their mum and litter-mates until they are eight weeks old.
The bigger picture...
Lots of responsible Staffordshire owners decide not to breed; because of the expense, the risk to the health and life of your bitch and also because there are just too many Staffies....
Staffies are brilliant dogs, friendly, happy and full of beans. However, they are also the
breed most likely to end up unwanted. They are the breed that is hardest to find new homes for, and the breed most likely to be put to sleep as a result.
Last year over 9000 dogs were destroyed just because they were unwanted (not because they were ill), most of them were Staffies, or Staffy crosses.
Most people who breed their dog never expect that their pups will end up on canine death row but this is the fate of many - it could be what happens to your dog's pups.
25 dogs will be put to sleep today. Most of them will be Staffies.
Many will be healthy, lovable dogs with nice temperaments. Lots of people who know this, and who really care about Staffies decide not to breed them – because they don't want to add to this
problem.
The reality is that if fewer people bred their dogs there would be no need for a dog
death row.
The equivalent of 28 litters of puppies a week are destroyed; all of them probably bred by people who thought their pups would have loving homes for life.
Staffies are brilliant dogs, friendly, happy and full of beans. However, they are also the
breed most likely to end up unwanted. They are the breed that is hardest to find new homes for, and the breed most likely to be put to sleep as a result.
Last year over 9000 dogs were destroyed just because they were unwanted (not because they were ill), most of them were Staffies, or Staffy crosses.
Most people who breed their dog never expect that their pups will end up on canine death row but this is the fate of many - it could be what happens to your dog's pups.
25 dogs will be put to sleep today. Most of them will be Staffies.
Many will be healthy, lovable dogs with nice temperaments. Lots of people who know this, and who really care about Staffies decide not to breed them – because they don't want to add to this
problem.
The reality is that if fewer people bred their dogs there would be no need for a dog
death row.
The equivalent of 28 litters of puppies a week are destroyed; all of them probably bred by people who thought their pups would have loving homes for life.