Preparing a stud for breeding
I’ve had a few people ask about how I would prepare a potential stud dog. Having only completed this process once so far, I’m still a novice, but there are definitely a few things I would do differently. Below is the approximate set of steps I would take if preparing another stud.
Check the “tama”
Verify that your male dog does indeed have 2 descended testicles. Cryptorchidism is genetic, and dogs with one or no descended testicles are not allowed to be shown, titled, and should not be used for breeding.
Confirm registration
Confirm your dog is registered with an appropriate registry, for example KKA, AKC, UKC, FCI, NIPPO, and you must have proof of pedigree. Some registries have additional restrictions (AKC accepts KKA pedigrees for registration, but UKC does not; and KKA has strict restrictions on registration). If you do not have proof of pedigree, there is no way to verify the dog’s lineage, and you will be unable to register any offspring as being Kai Ken. Late fees are charged for legitimate litters that are not registered in a timely manner (AKC), and some do not allow registrations after a certain period of time has passed (KKA, NIPPO). Furthermore, the dog needs to be registered under your name in order for you to be able to sign off on any litter paperwork. Dogs that are co-owned may have additional requirements.
Check your breeder contract
It’s important to check the fine print in the contract you signed when you obtained the dog. You may need to check with your breeder as well.
Do a physical
Make sure the dog is in good general physical health with no obvious issues, your regular vet should be able to help you.
Check for swimmers
If the dog is unproven (hasn’t had puppies before), I highly recommend doing a sperm check by a reproductive veterinarian or local canine cryobank to ensure the dog is viable and has both the appropriate quantity and quality sperm (it costs approximately $75-$175). Depending on the registry, freezing sperm and AI are also options for breeding. In older males, it’s not uncommon to have prostate issues interfering with reproductive capability and should be treated prior to breeding. I’ve also seen prostate issues pop up in younger males. Treatment usually involves a rectal exam and an inexpensive prescription for about a month and then a recheck. Since bitches only have a limited number of opportunities to breed and typically cycle only 1-2 times a year, I’d want to ensure any stud being used is capable of producing offspring. Checking sperm first would also save time and money on health testing (which can range from $450-$1250) if the dog turns out to not be a breeding candidate.
Keep Records
At this stage, I recommend starting a spreadsheet to keep track of costs. Health testing fees, entry fees (conformation, aptitude tests, competition sports), registration fees, etc. to help keep your finances in check and keep you grounded to reality.
Make your dog an attractive candidate
Go out and do great things with your dog! Dogs that prove working aptitude and success in the conformation ring are more desirable mates. In AKC Kai can enter FSS Open shows, and can compete in all-breed events. In UKC Kai can enter conformation shows and all-breed events. A titled dog is more valuable (for proving their worth conformationally and working aptitude), and can negotiate a higher stud fee. More on stud fees later.
Health Testing
If you are not in a rush to complete health testing, you can take advantage of clinics when they become available near you. I previously wrote a post detailing health testing costs, recommended tests to perform and age requirements for permanent recording, and its importance in breeding candidates.
We do the following tests because we feel it the most responsible option given recent issues popping up in the breed. The applicable health tests (ordered in what we thought was most important) are:
- DNA test for both types of PRA (Embark / Optimal Selection)
- cardiac auscultation
- eyes
- hips
- knees
- elbows
- thyroid
- dentition – KKA disqualifies dogs with missing teeth
Finding a mate
It’s important to talk to breeders and meet potential mates to see if your dogs’ personalities and physical features would compliment to each other. Every breeder’s program is different, but you’ll need to find one that you are comfortable working with. When possible, it’s generally a good idea to find a mate that has already produced puppies, to limit the risk of unknowns on two unproven dogs.
Prior to Breeding
Before attempting a breeding, we do blood work, chemistries, and test for Brucellosis: a canine STD that can be devastating for breeding dogs, causes infertility, and also has the potential to spread to humans.
For your and your dog’s safety, we recommend requiring proof that the female is recently tested for Brucellosis. This can be included in the stud contract mentioned below.
Stud contract and fees
Prior to breeding, have a contract in place that is agreed upon by both parties.
I reached out to breeders in Japan and in the States to find out what the average expected stud fees are.
In Japan, a typical stud fee is between 50,000¥ – 100,000¥ (~$500-$1000) depending on if the dog is proven (has produced puppies) and how many shows and titles they have won. The high end is usually only achieved by the best-of-the-best stud dogs that have won competitions and produced a number of puppies already.
In the States, for a dog that has already completed health testing, a typical stud fee is usually between half to the full price of one puppy depending on championship and working titles and if he’s proven. Negotiation for a puppy from the litter can also be made, but usually only if you are going to be the one keeping the puppy (and not resell the puppy).
For an unproven dog, an import, or a dog that has not been health tested, health testing can be negotiated in lieu of a stud fee from the bitch’s owner. The stud owner receives completed health testing, the potential to become a proven stud, and can be studded out afterwards for a higher fee. Studs are ready to go at any time, where the bitch only has a certain time window of reproductive capability. This is the least risky for the stud owner and the most risky for the bitch owner as the bitch owner fronts all health testing costs and proves your stud for you (if puppies are actually produced).
You will negotiate your own contracts, but these seemed to be the ballpark for a number of breeders within a given registry. A stud contract may also include receiving a partial amount at the time of breeding and then the rest of the fee after puppies are born. Less commonly, some breeders pay per puppy born, but keep in mind Kai Ken litters are generally small at 3-5 puppies on average.
Why not split puppy sales?
Because puppy sales do not equal profit. The sale price of a puppy includes many things, and very little, if any, is profit.
Any profit from selling puppies only happens after subtracting the sum of the debt incurred. This may include:
- the stud fee
- the bitch’s conformation fees, trial fees, exams and health tests (all which make her a desirable breeding candidate)
- costs incurred for vaccinating, microchipping, and puppy vet visits
- any medical emergencies that may come up with mother and puppies after breeding through the time the puppies go home
- any vacation time required by the bitch’s owner to take off of work to take care of whelping and socializing the puppies
- travel time and transportation fees to bring the breeding pair together
- progesterone testing to optimally time the breeding
- artificial insemination and related procedures (if necessary)
- care for the bitch post-breeding through whelping
- ultrasounds
- pregnancy x-rays
- sometimes a cesarian (plus vet visit and anesthesia)
- cleaning supplies
- whelping materials
- puppy food and supplements
- puppy socialization tools
- professional puppy evaluations
- time it takes to screen and interview potential puppy homes
- individual member and kennel membership fees as required by registry
- registering the puppies with AKC, KKA, or other relevant registry
After a breeding, the bitch and her owners will be occupied for 63 days until whelping plus an additional 8 weeks of puppy raising and care. The stud is typically not involved in this process.
I plan to post about the costs involved in raising a litter of puppies once we have our first one, but until then here are a few references on approximately what is involved and how much it costs to raise a single litter of puppies.
