Okay, Im satisfied that shes a quality bitch, worthy of breeding, whats the next step?
Hold on there! Not so fast! This is a long process, remember? There is another reason you need to wait until your bitch is over two years of age. Health Checks! You’ll need to have various health checks done in order to determine whether or not your dog should be bred. The necessary health checks vary from breed to breed and you should consult a good book on your breed or a knowledgeable breeder to determine what tests you’ll need to have done. The most common tests are: Joints: Have a veterinarian x-ray your dog’s hips, elbows or other joints and submit those x-rays to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) for evaluation. If your dog’s hips are rated Fair, Good, or Excellent, your dog is normal and can be bred. If they are rated dysplastic, please discuss this diagnosis with your vet and spay your bitch as soon as possible. Hip Dysplasia is an often painful joint disorder that can be treated in various ways. It is hereditary and no dog that is dysplastic should be bred. Eyes: In