Dog Mating - Should I Allow It?

Many of us have chosen dogs to be our pet. These are very special creatures and it is important to take proper care of them. Owning a pet is very much like caring for a child. It is up to you to find out the information you need in order to make sure your pet is cared for. For most pet owners the basics about dog care is sufficient to have a pet that is happy and healthy. Those of us who are responsible know we have to provide proper feed, exercise, hygiene and veterinarian care. However, there are areas of a dog's existence that don't come up every day. One of these is the subject of dog mating.

Many dog owners love their pets so much they want their dog to mate in order to get offspring. This is a decision that should never be made lightly. You must be aware if you allow your dog to mate you are responsible for the puppies that may be born. This is a very big responsibility. If your dog is a bitch then you are going to have to see she gets the extra nutrition and attention she needs during the pregnancy. If anything goes wrong during the birth you may have to pay for a vet to intervene. Once the puppies are born the bitch will need more feed as she is suckling her pups. If a pup is not healthy you may have to make the decision whether or not to allow it to live. These are only some of the many consequences of allowing your dog to mate.

Ethically, it would be considered wrong to allow dog mating simply for financial gain. You are responsible for ensuring each and every puppy goes to a responsible and caring home. You may be keeping one puppy for yourself but you must give all the others the same consideration. These are, after all, living creatures with very similar feelings and needs to our own. If you have any doubt as to whether you can place the puppies in suitable environments think about how many puppies are in shelters all over the country. Do you really want to be the one to add to this number?

A very important consideration before allowing dogs to mate is the issue of health. It would not be ethical to allow sickly dogs to mate. A sickly bitch may not have the stamina to get through a pregnancy, labor and birth. The right thing to do before allowing dogs to mate is to be certain they are in the best of health.