Dog Breeder Guide
At Petplan, we believe that every pet deserves the best care, right from day one! Our dog breeder guide to responsible and ethical breeding is here to guide you through the process, all the way from preparing yourself, your bitch and your home, through to rehoming your litter.
Whether you're a first-time breeder or already established, our handy online resource, created in collaboration with Pupstarts Breeders, is here to help you through every stage of breeding and raising puppies.
Simply register to join the Petplan Breeder Scheme and access the guide for free!
What's in the guide?
- Top tips on ensuring your bitch's health and knowing when to breed from her.
- A guide to finding the right stud dog.
- Everything you need to know about preparing yourself and your home.
- Information on mating, gestation and caring for your bitch throughout her pregnancy.
- Birth and post-birth advice and care for pups and mother.
- Guidance on puppies' early days.
- Pointers on rehoming your litter and finding the right owners.
- Advice on sales contracts, activating Petplan's 4 weeks free insurance for new owners and more useful hints and tips.
Already a Petplan Breeder? Login below.
About Petplan's Dog Breeder Insurance Scheme
Our Breeder Scheme is designed to help you ensure your litters have access to the best care whilst they're settling into their new homes. All you need to do is:
- Register as a Petplan Breeder (even if you just have one litter)
- Activate 4 weeks free cover when the puppy leaves your care
- Claim exclusive rewards for each new owner you activate
FAQs
Do you need a licence to breed dogs?
Yes, you'll need a licence to breed dogs if you're doing so as a business and/or breed three or more litters within a 12-month period. This does not apply if you are only breeding assistance dogs. To get a licence, you'll need to contact your local authority and meet the following conditions:
- All animals must be kept in appropriate accommodation
- You provide adequate access to food, fresh water and bedding
- Dogs are exercised regularly
- Animals are transported in safe and comfortable conditions, for example, to and from the vet
- Animals are protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease, as well as in the event of an emergency
- Keep all records ready for inspection, including vet records and a register of all dogs and their puppies
Once you're licensed, you'll need to list the licence number on all advertising and display it clearly on your premises.
How to tell if your dog is pregnant
Some early signs of pregnancy in dogs can include:
- Changes in nipple size and colour
- Weight gain
- Increased appetite
- Changes in behaviour, such as becoming more clingy or irritable
These signs normally occur at around 1-3 weeks. At around 30 days after mating a vet should be able to confirm if your dog is pregnant via an ultrasound.
How long are dogs pregnant?
A dog's gestation period can last between 60 and 70 days, with breed, litter size and individual factors adding variability.
How to become a dog breeder
There are a number of steps to take to become a dog breeder. Once you have chosen a breed, it is important to educate yourself on animal health and care, ethical breeding practices, and breed standards. It's also advised to learn more about marketing, sales and contract writing. You'll need to apply for a licence with your local authority and it's advisable to register as a breeder with the kennel club if you're planning to breed pedigree dogs.
Rewards & Bonuses
At Petplan, we offer our breeders reward credits every time you activate cover for a new owner. These credits can be exchanged for vouchers for a number of high street brands to provide a welcome boost to your shopping budget! You can start earning credits with us as soon as you register as a breeder.
Every pet deserves Petplan
We are pet specialists and have an unrivalled knowledge of pet health unlike many other insurers. That's why we've designed our policies to cover as many conditions as possible, and are able to pay 97% of all claims received.
Petplan supports the responsible breeding and selling of pets and all breeders are required to confirm they meet the Petplan Breeder Charter before activating insurance.
Already a Petplan Breeder?
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