Stud Fees

[ConciseQueen]

I have found my bitch a lovely dog to sire pups. The owner of the dog is pretty relaxed, doesn’t want a puppy but has asked me to make an offer of stud fees. He’s stressed nothing is guaranteed from the dogs’ meeting etc.

Neither dog is worth much (lurchers) but they are lovely so I will be able to sell the puppies to cover vet costs if the time comes. How much would you offer for the stud fee?

Why are you looking to breed your dog?

There are enough backyard breeders as it is.

What health checks have both the parent dogs had?

I wouldn't breed.

I am looking to have a litter as my own dog is just lovely. We’ve always had dogs before but never had a litter. A family member has fallen in love with her and will take a girl pup from her. The idea is that in, say 4/5 years time, I might have one of my current dog’s grand pups.

The father is fab so I am happy with that. Any suggestions on fees?

I would wonder the same. I know a stud kennels that charges £800, but they have 30 years experience, their dogs are FTCH or SCH, they have hip, elbow and genetic testing plus eye certificates, the breeder gets access to advertise their puppies on their Facebook page with thousands of members, they get a repeat mating if it doesn't come to fruition, and the breeder gets full support from the stud kennels regarding bringing up a litter, etc.

No, no suggestions, because I'll be surprised if you've done any of the above.

I think £800 is a bit steep tbh.

Have you any idea how many lovely lurchers there are in pounds and rescues here?

There are lots of lovely dogs waiting in rescue. Also you are risking her life by breeding from her, if she needs a caesarean it be 1k plus which won't be covered by insurance

I don't know for lurchers

What health/genetic screenings are advised, and does the proposed stud have acceptable scores? (Does your bitch as well?) Do not go ahead if this not the case.

Price depends on whether the stud had sired a litter before (being unproven lowers fee) and whether any form of free return will be offered (it normally is). Fees higher if the stud is from known good working lines (or show lines, but that wouldn't apply for lurchers)

In my breed: £600 to £1k - higher end is for the really successful show dogs.

Arrangements between friends can of course be considerably less.

But before you go ahead, please think about likely size of litter and that you have potential homes for the likely number. What is plan B if the puppies do not sell? Unless you have one, do not do this - it's not lockdown any more, numbers sold are reducing.

Rescues are full of lovely Lurchers.. Go get one.

Some policies do cover the complications of one pregnancy. That is something else to check before going ahead.

They don't cover routine pregnancy and whelping care, nor routine vet expenses of puppies (which you'll need to insure separately).

Thanks for replies. I took my bitch to the vet to discuss with her and she didn’t give me any scores (is that breads specific) but seemed happy that she was healthy. We’ll go back again on Day 10 for a check before I take her to the dog.

Thanks for your concern about the puppies. They will be fine to home. Lots of people would love a rough coat lurcher puppy from a loving home. I know because I have had requests.

Does £150 sound too low? It is risk free from the stud owners POV.

Come on OP. I'm sure you realise just how many lurchers are in rescue, in desperate need of a home and how little we need people to casually breed more dogs. It's really irresponsible.

Actually, I really love my dog and so do other people so I’d like to breed her. I have no concerns about vet fees or puppies finding homes.

This thread is really looking for advice about studs.

Every single rescue, large or small, has lurchers. Almost (if not all) very good-natured dogs.

The country does not need more lurcher puppies. You should be encouraging people to go and adopt one from rescue.

I feckin' despair.

If this was a KC registered breed with paperwork you'd have more guidance on using studs. This is the KC advice:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-breeding/first-time-breeders/how-to-find-and-choose-a-mate-for-your-dog

Are you prepared that this pregnancy could end up killing your dog and end up with no puppies or having to hand rear newborns? Puppies also aren't clones and just because your bitch is "nice" doesn't mean the puppies will end up identical to her. Pregnancy is a dangerous process to put any dog through, it's confusing and painful for them. Are you prepared to see your dog stressed out and in pain? Even mating itself is dangerous if there isn't someone experienced supervising.

Lurchers are one of the most common breeds to end up in rescue. Dogs Trust currently has 80 (yes eighty) of them available for adoption including rough coated dogs. They're also the most common breed on the RSPCA website. If you have people asking you about getting a Lurcher, send them to your local rescues.

The bitch being in normal health does not address the question of genetic screening, and what tests are needed for lurchers

#1 Guide to Health Testing — Lurcher | Good Dog

I'm guessing you need to look at what breeds you think are in the two lurchers you have in mind, and do the ones recommended for each of those breeds

No need to despair - the puppies will be adored. If the vet had concerns she didn’t raise them. They will be happy dogs in loving homes.

And if it makes you feel better, I have three rescue lurchers to my name.

No suggestions on the stud fee?

Well people have advised up thread about stud fees, but you have dismissed as too expensive.

There is a massive issue in this country of people breeding to make money or just because their dog is "such a lovely dog" and they want to experience a litter of puppies.

It's completely irresponsibly to breed a dog just for the sake of it. It's risking your dog and adding to puppy numbers.

No dog professionals advise backyard breeding, for good reason. But you are obviously too caught up in what you want to really care.

“I really love my dog” is an odd thing to say when you want to put her through an unnecessary pregnancy.

Do dogs need a blood test before going with a stud? I know cats do. That's an extra cost. My friend used to charge £250 for a Siamese cat stud fee years ago

No, it DOESN'T "make me feel better". We take dogs from rescue that are the longest and most overlooked and I'm sick to death of people breeding dogs to sell, whatever 'my dog's lovely and I want to share the love with people who will love her babies' nonsense you come up with.

I appreciate all the responses on this thread but as someone living on a farm, I do know a bit about breeding and animals. These ones will be loved and looked after by me and then by other lovely owners.

As hard cases go, these puppies or my dog are not animals that require MN pity or condemnation. The issues around rescue dogs are well covered on other threads so no need to rehearse them here. All loved family pets in homes able to look after them.

As a side issue, I am familiar with all the discussion on here and elsewhere about no breeding but it is misdirected fire. I am not a ‘backyard breeder’, I am a normal loving owner supported by my vet. My dog and the puppies will be fine.

Thanks for your reply. We are going to get a blood test from the vet on day 10 and she’ll get a check over then as well.

£250 does seem more like it Tbf.

Depends on the breed - you need to commission the relevant health screening tests (a vet check that maternal health is OK is not sufficient) and that might be blood tests

There are also blood tests to establish fertile window - whether you need them depends on how often you can conveniently take the bitch to stud