Sunset Kennels & Breeding
Buguya Jack Russells
I want to breed a litter.
Also See The Virtual Breeder sites.
Some handy info for those that want to breed a litter from their Jack Russell bitch. Ask your Vet if it is necessary for your bitch to be bred from. I am sure he will say no. It is an old wives tale that animals have to be bred from to reach their full potential as a companion animal. As for breeding a litter for the kids education, I think not.
Costs. The cost of breeding a litter will vary according to each owners personal circumstances. Some will own a male dog that they want to use while others will have to go through the trauma of picking a suitable sire. Some will have no trouble, whilst others will wear the whole lot. Ring your Vet and ask what his/her costs will be.
Stud Fee. A stud fee will have to be paid in most circumstances. The stud fee is usually the cost of a puppy. Most stud dog owners will not take a puppy as a stud fee for various reasons. You here the term pick of the litter a fair bit. In reality it hardly ever happens. The biggest problem is to get your chosen pup from the bitch's owner. The other problem we here most about is that the bitch only had one pup so the male is defective and you are not getting a stud fee. Another favourite is that the bitch owner used another Stud and the pups are not from your stud dog. For those bitch owners that actually hand over the one and only pup, they have gone through plenty of effort for no result. Get a deal down in writing.
Vet Check. It is best for the bitch to have a pre mating swab to insure she is not carrying an infection. A healthy bitch will ensure a safer pregnancy, and maximize the litter results. Ring your vet for advice and a price before you agree to a mating.
Pregnancy. The bitch should be cared for to the best of your circumstances. She should not be left alone for the last fortnight of her pregnancy, up until the pups are weaned. You may need to take time of work.
Whelping. If you have not whelped a bitch before please consult with a friend that has. Ring your vet before the mating to enquire what a Caesar will cost you if the bitch will not deliver her pups all by herself. Enquire also as to what his after hours rates are like.
Puppy Care. When the pups are born the bitch will take care of them for the first few weeks. You need to take extra care of the bitch to ensure she stays healthy. They will still have to be wormed every fortnight (until 16 weeks old) and have their nails cut to avoid infections around the bitches nipples. Remember any illnesses that the litter contracts will cost you by the amount of pups that you have. The pups should be heated in winter and cooler in summer. The best time to have a litter is in the winter because all you need to warm the pups with is a 75 watt infra red lamp. Try to borrow the gear if you can.
Tails & Due claws. It is up to the litter owner in most circumstances as to whether to tail and due claw the pups. A lot of Vets will not do the job for you. Remember that you have to have one third of the tail removed. Use a white board marker or similar to get the exact position before you cut. Most vets want you to mark the position of amputation. Find out the costs from your Vet.
Vaccinations. The pups will have to be vaccinated at about 6-8 weeks. It must be stressed that this vaccination will not totally protect the pups from infection. Please ask your vet and inform your puppy buyers.
Advertising. Many people say they want a pup from your bitch before it is pregnant, but as soon as the pups are ready they have changed their minds. This usually means you will have to advertise. Check out the papers or the trading post. The paper with the most ads in will be your choice, usually the Sunday paper. Don't send the wrong message in your ad and don't advertise to early. Advertise only the facts. TRY
JACK RUSSELL PUPS ?M ?F Vacc, Wormed, Tailed, Due Claws, $?, Phone Number.
Buyers see through the ad that spruiks the best in the west pups.
After 8 weeks. You as a breeder, even though you have only bred your bitch for the children's education, will be responsible for any defects that the pups may have. Un-distended testicles is one we here a lot about. You may find the puppy buyer will want compensation if the pup was intended for stud, or for the extra cost of having the missing testicles found and removed. There are plenty of other breed faults that may catch you out and cost you money.
If you still want to breed a litter please try to get a copy of THE BROOD BITCH AND WHELPING by Julie Tilbrook and marketed by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia. ph. 03 9580 3022.
Your Profit. Ring around and ask what is the going price for an unregistered JRT in your area. Do your sums and be sure this is what you want to do. If you can't afford the cost or the heart ache, don't breed, sterilize.
Bullied Don't be bullied into breeding a litter for someone else. Buying a bitch on breeders terms is a load of rubbish. Sit back and work out the profit they will make at your expense, and all out of your bitch. Pay your money and own the bitch outright.
For a normal healthy litter with no problems that are looked after properly, the normal costs are:
Normal litter of approx. 4 Pups
1 pup pays for the stud fee. 1 pup pays for the Vet, Vaccinations, worming, and advertising. So you have a profit of 2 pups.
Costly litter of 4 Pups
1 pup pays for the stud fee. 1 pup pays for the Vet, Vaccinations, worming, and advertising. 2 pups plus extra money goes in the Caesar and the after care.
You are usually in arrears for about the price of 2 pups.
Best of Luck