to breed or not to breed

Question
We just purchased our 2nd Boxer. The first boxer, Cookie, has been a family member for the past 11 years and was spayed because we didn't have the resources to breed her. She has been a definite blessing to us. Because of her age, we wanted to get another boxer to roam the yard and learn the ropes of how things are "run" around the house. The boxer we just purchased is an all white female pup with the exception of two very small black spots on her upper lip. We are thinking, I really mean thinking, of possibly breeding her. We have never bred before but do have the resources (money and time) to possibly breed. While I understand that there is more to it than just having papers, money, and time to breed quality boxer pups. So, my question is this, What do we really need to consider before thinking about breeding? What tests or questions do we ask the vet to proceed in breeding? I feel these a vague questions but it shows where we are on the topic of breeding. I love the boxer breed and am amazed at their temperament. I grew up with Rottweilers and Dobermans and am very fond of those but Cookie has changed my, our minds. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Rick. There are many things to consider before breeding a dog. You want to be a responsible, caring, knowledgeable breeder. That means, no breeding white Boxers. Sorry, but that is a big no-no in the Boxer community. Breeders are now acknowledging that white Boxers can also be great family members, but should be sold on a pet, spay/neuter contract. They use to be put to sleep at birth. It's sad, but true. Breeding white Boxers may be thought of as a normal practice in the future, but not at this moment. (I have my own personal feelings about taking out about 25% of the gene pool, but I too must conform.:-) They can't be shown, the white is a disqualifying color.

It's great that you want to start this off on the right foot. The biggest question that you have to ask yourself is exactly why do you want to breed. The answer should be to better the breed, to try to make it healthier, longer lived, and in better shape than you found it. That should be your goal. Make sure you have plenty of time to give to the new mom and puppies. If something should happen to mom, are you prepared to take off of work for 3 weeks to bottle feed the litter? Can you financially afford it? There's nothing wrong with saying no. There is always the possibly that something can go horribly wrong, you have to prepare yourself for that. You can loose the mom, the pups, or both. Or, mom can get a serious infection, leaving you to completely care for the pups and her. If you have to bottle feed, it's every 2-3 hours 24/7. I am NOT trying to talk you out of it, but just giving you the facts. It may go smooth as silk. Most of the time it does. You have to prepare yourself  for anything. St the breed standard, know it like the back of your hand. Find someone that can mentor you, teach you what a Boxer should look like, and how it should move. You have to have a good eye for a dog. You don't have to show to be a good breeder, but you have to know what a correct Boxer looks like, and what flaws to avoid. You also have to have a good understanding of genetics, so start reading up. You need to know what traits are dominant, recessive, so you don't keep producing pups with the same faults. You have to know what faults your dog has, and what stud dog would compliment her best. That doesn't always mean going to the biggest show dog. That may mean shipping in sperm from across the country. Be prepared for 6 week old puppies tearing your house, and wallet up. :-) Be prepared to NOT make any money off of dogs. Some people can atleast break even. A rule of thumb....if you're making money, you're doing something wrong. Also, the number one reason that you should breed is to keep a puppy for yourself to further your own breeding program. If there's not a puppy in the litter that you would want in your own breeding program, then you may need to reconsider your dogs, and maybe even start all over again. That's why it's so important to start out with a really good breeder, and really good dogs.

As for tests, you need to have her hips OFA checked, her eyes CERF checked, thyroid checked, and have her heart atleast Holter tested. ECHO'd is better, but not all vets have this capability yet. Boxers are bad for heart problems that are inherited, so it's very important to have it checked. If she fails any test, do not breed. You don't want to be responsible for producing handicapped puppies.

I know the feeling! I was raised with different breeds myself. When I got my first Boxer, he's 12 years young and still kicking hard, I became a total devotee. You can do this, you just want to make sure you start out with the best that you can get your hands on. It's so much easier to start out on the right foot now, instead of figuring out your mistakes years down the road, and having to either start all over again, or getting frustrated and quitting. I believe that you have the right heart for it. Just find yourself a mentor, someone that's honest and is willing to tell you everything, well almost everything :-), that they know. And really listen to them. Oh, and if you're going to get into the Boxer breed to breed, get a really tough skin. And be prepared to completely devote your whole life to these puppies while they're in your home. They take so much time, you'll be exhausted when they go to their new homes. You have to religiously keep them clean. Be prepared to take back any dog that you produce at anytime during it's life, for any reason. That's your responsibility to the lives that you help create. If I can answer anymore questions, feel free to write! You can also write me at vvvzena@yahoo.com if you choose to. I'd be glad to be of help in any way to help you start off on the right track.