Step Thirteen – Register Your Litter With AKC Soon After Whelping
One of your most important tasks as a breeder is to ensure that your litter is registered with the AKC. Registering the puppies creates a record of their place in the history of your breeding program and in the development of the breed. It also opens the doors for the puppies’ new owners to the wide array of services, information, and events provided or sponsored by the AKC.
You should be able to provide the new owners with a registration application at the time the puppy is sold. Therefore, it is essential that you apply to register your litter promptly after the puppies are born.
There are two easy options for you to register your litter. You can register your litter online by going to Breeder Toolkit. When you register your litter online, you can get your litter kit in as little as two to five business days. Or you can download an application, fill it out, and send to the AKC.
Registering your puppies with the AKC is another way to give your puppies a great start in life. Additionally, it confirms for your new puppy owners that you are a dedicated and responsible breeder.
Step One – Prepare Yourself for Breeding a Litter of Puppies
Breeding dogs has been a passion for people through many centuries. Part art, part science, and total devotion, breeding will show you all the best in the human-and-dog bond. It is exciting and challenging.
Breeding purebred dogs is also time consuming, expensive, and, occasionally, heartbreaking. If you go forward with breeding dogs, your underlying purpose should be to improve the breed—not just increase its numbers.
Breeding a litter of puppies should begin with knowledge. Responsible dog breeders devote time to learning as much as they can about their breed, about canine health and training, and about AKC rules. How can you become an expert?
How Long Does A “Heat” Cycle Or Oestrus Last?
“Heat” cycles vary, but average two to three weeks for most dogs. “Heat” should be considered to begin with the first signs of vulvar discharge, or when the female begins licking or paying attention to her vulva. The vulva will begin to appear swollen. It ends when all discharge ceases and the vulva has returned to its normal size.