Myths and Facts on Having Your Own Litter

There are many reasons why you may want to breed your pet.  As with everything in life, being well educated about the pros and cons will help you make a decision on whether breeding is what you really want to do. 

Myth #1 - My girl is healthy and should have a litter.

Fact - She may be healthy by looking at her, but there are certain genetic diseases in the boxer breed that need to be screened for prior to breeding by veterinary specialists.  ARVC, SAS, and CHD should be screened for on your girl prior to breeding to help ensure healthy puppies.  This is expensive and sometimes requires travel on your part to get to the appropriate vet.

Fact - Female dogs do not need to have a litter to feel "fulfilled".  They will not feel slighted in life if they don't have a litter.

Myth #2 - Finding a stud dog is easy.  My neighbor has one.

Fact - This may be true, but is he screened for the above genetic diseases?  Is he a good example of the breed?  Does he have the proper boxer temperament that should be passed on to his puppies?

Myth #3 - My girl will be fine. Dogs have litters every day.

Fact - It is a very real risk that complications during delivery and pregnancy may take the life of your pet.  Are you prepared to explain to your family that their loved pet is dead? 

Myth #4 - Boxers don't ever need c-sections?  They aren't bulldogs.

Fact - Boxers do, in fact, have to have c-sections sometimes when labor doesn't progress or a large puppy is blocking the way.  Are you prepared to keep a close eye on her close to her due date?  Are you financially prepared to take care of a c-section if she needs it?  The expense of a C-section will take a large chunk of your puppy profit.  C-sections are also risky to both mom and the puppies.  You could lose puppies and even the mother.

Myth #5 - All the litters I've seen were healthy.

Fact - We don't see the litters that aren't healthy...  Mother nature sometimes deals us complications.  It would be difficult to explain to children deformed or dead puppies.  Are you mentally prepared for a stillborn, mummified, or a water puppy if that happens?

Myth #6 - Once puppies are born, you're out of the woods and they'll all be fine.

Fact - Puppies can still die after they are born.  There can be puppies that are weak and may linger and die a few days after birth.  Are you prepared to deal with weak puppies i.e. supplementation every 3 hours, 24 hours a day, sometimes to no avail?  Can you miss work if such complications arise?

Myth #7 - Boxers always have large litters.

Fact - Boxers can sometimes have low numbers in their litters or a single puppy.  This is actually very hard on your girl.  She will produce enough milk as though she would have a full litter of 5 –10 puppies.  A condition called mastitis can set in due to her mammary glands becoming impacted and infected.  Puppies may have to be bottle-fed and mom put on antibiotics to clear up the condition.  Low numbers or single puppies also means you aren’t going to recoup any losses by selling those puppies.

Myth #8 - We can make a lot of money selling the puppies. 

Fact - Raising a litter is expensive when you do it responsibly.  There’s health testing prior to breeding, stud fees, vet care for mom before whelping, extra food and supplements for mom, ultra sounds and x-rays, puppy shots, worming, food, toys, cleaning supplies, dew claw removal, tails docked, and that is only the expenses when things go right!  What if she requires a C-section?  You’ll be lucky to break even and may even go in the hole.  It’s not a money making deal.

Myth #9 - Raising a litter is easy.  We'll just put them in the garage.

Fact - Raising a litter takes a climate controlled area.  Garages are often too cool or too hot.  Raising a litter is also messy.  Mom stops cleaning up after puppies around 3 weeks old and sometimes not at all.  After that it’s up to us humans to take over.  Imagine 5 – 10 puppies and all the messes they make.  Are you willing to scrub, wash, and bathe bedding, flooring, and puppies?  The stink can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared to keep the area clean.  You also need to keep the people traffic in the puppy area clean to protect against diseases such as parvo that can wipe out an entire litter.  You will go through cleaning supplies quickly which is more expense.

Myth #10 - It's easy to find homes for boxer puppies.

Fact - This is only true if you don't care where your puppies end up.  I’m sure you will want homes that will take care of the puppies.  Are you willing and able to screen perspective homes to ensure that the puppies you produced won’t end up at the humane society, abused, or neglected?  This takes time and is very difficult.  People who may want a puppy before they’re born, may back out later.  Are you prepared to keep a puppy that hasn’t been placed?  Are you prepared to take back a puppy if it doesn’t work out?  Are you prepared to refund money on puppies that develop genetic health problems? 

    Having a litter of puppies is not something to be taken lightly.  It's an emotional and financial commitment, which is why reputable breeders breed infrequently and with great care and concern for the mother and her puppies. The responsibility doesn't end when the puppies leave either.  It's a life-long commitment.   

Shannon Carlson

Trail's End Boxers