EXCLUSIVE

Stud Dogs

Stud Dogs

Before selecting a puppy of any breed, it is important to ask ourselves what we want it for, to display it in exhibitions, to be a pet, or as a working dog. Whatever its function is going to be, the main thing is that it is a healthy puppy bred from specimens free of hereditary diseases and without behavioural problems. Whether we are looking specifically for a French Bulldog for stud or any other breed, it pays to take the time to research and find out all we can about potential breeding mates.

We must also read the breed standard and understand the essential aspects to educate the eye and obtain the know-how to identify an excellent specimen and differentiate it from an inferior one.

Having a keen eye for dogs is an essential ability, to see a dog overall and to recognise quality, balance, and correctness in a breed. Some owners don’t have a “good eye” for dogs. Despite studying their breed standard, they are still unable to properly evaluate the dogs they breed. Therefore they are oblivious to the defects of their dogs.

When selecting a puppy, or stud dogs for our female, we must avoid giving so much importance to a single characteristic that it damages the personality of the dog as a whole. Although many breeders try to emphasise the excellence of an entire dog and reflect this in the stud fee, it is part of human nature to enhance the strongest characteristics. One breeder may be a perfectionist on fronts and some others on back or head lines.

The appropriate thing is to select stud dogs by evaluating them in their entirety, looking for proportion and symmetry, correct movement, absence of serious defects in the fine points that make the breed and to which the standard grants the highest number of points (nose, skull, jaw, shoulders, back, etc.).

Our Stud dog breeds

American Bulldogs

Learn More

English Bulldogs

Learn More

French Bulldogs

Learn More

XL Bullys

Learn More

Chow Chows

Learn More

Exotic Pocket Bullys

Learn More

Pugs

Learn More

What is a stud for a dog?

A stud is a male specimen kept for breeding purposes. The selection process must be done carefully, choosing the dog stud with strict criteria and clear ideas of what we are looking for. It does not consist of cross-breeding to be a champion, but in trying to find out, objectively, if the female can contribute something to the breed, and look for stud dogs that complement her qualities. Likewise, when acquiring a puppy, the one that is the son of a champion does not guarantee that he will also be one – despite a hefty stud fee, but if it is a healthy exemplary dog, it is very likely that it will be in good health.

There are many hereditary diseases that can affect a breed, but responsible breeding has gradually eliminated them, however, people who breed without planning are the ones who keep these undesirable genes in their dogs and whoever buys them is the one who pays the consequences of reproducing irresponsibly.

Experienced breeders should advise the new breeder to reproduce only for the improvement of the breed in search of physical perfection, and especially healthy specimens. Remember when it comes to considering the stud fee that cheap is expensive, to acquire a premium dog or cross a female, the most important thing is to go with specialized and prestigious breeders. To obtain a premium specimen, expect to pay a healthy stud fee when you sign a stud dog contract.

Most expert breeders agree on three important considerations for selecting a stud dog for a breeding program.

  • Structure as close as possible to the ideal, without forgetting temperament and movement.
  • Pedigree quality, which informs us if the stud dog has valuable genes available. If we study the pedigree of the great stars of the present and the past, we will notice that these specimens are not normally the product of chance or accidents, but of the inheritance of good genes.
  • Consistent progeny should be the first consideration in selecting a stud dog. It is the ability to consistently produce superior quality puppies. The consistency of a stud dog or its proven ability to produce better than average puppies is a virtue for which there are no substitutes.
It is also of great importance when selecting a stud dog, to be very objective and not allow admiration for a stud dog and its triumphs to blind us to its faults. No stud dog is genetically flawless, and the smart breeder must always wonder if the stud dogs recognized in competitions for their great conformation are also excellent breeders.

On the other hand, if the stud dog under consideration apparently has a single defect that has prevented him from succeeding in competition, either show or track, and possesses many qualities, the breeder must decide, based on the known genetic information of the pedigree and the quality of the offspring produced, whether to do use it in their breeding plan or not.

If the stud dog produces its qualities without producing its defect, it might still be an excellent candidate even if it is not successful in the arena.

There is no valid reason to skimp on resources in breeding purebred dogs or to breed mediocrity. The ethical breeder will be happy to pay a good price for a successful and genetically valuable stud that will help them take a great step towards obtaining an excellent quality specimen in the breed. At the same time the stud owner will need to set a stud fee high enough, but fair, to protect the breed from dog sellers looking for great dogs for stud, not to improve the breed, but only to obtain puppies of higher value but without any breed planning.

Year after year, new dogs and blood combinations appear that continually increase the available breeding material. Studying new animals and their progeny is a good way to keep abreast of existing breeding resources. But when considering crossing a bitch, there are other details to consider as well.

Establish a breeding plan

Always set a goal for the next litter. You will probably have a good idea of ​​the characteristics that make up the ideal; striving to bring them all together in one litter is unrealistic, and the breeder will get nothing but frustration out of it. It is much better to set partial objectives that gradually bring the results closer to being perfect.

Analyse the female

All good matings begin with a dispassionate study of the bitch. Strive to see yours from a judge’s perspective. Identify any weak points and strengths. Talk to experienced breeders to find out where these traits come from and do your best to identify some of the ancestors in your pedigree and how they contributed to your bitch’s current characteristics.

Choose a stud that complements the characteristics of the female

The ideal stud should not have any of the bitch’s flaws; the best thing, of course, would be to have evidence that the stud can correct these defects in the offspring. It should also have as many of its best qualities as possible, and not contribute any serious defects to the breeding plan. Personally examine all the puppies, of the chosen stud so that you can see what to expect. You may be able to locate an animal that has been crossed with a dog with characteristics similar to yours; the result of that operation is, of course, invaluable. If you plan to cross different bloodlines, find out about the possible history of this type of cross and the results obtained. Locate common ancestors and determine their dominant and recessive characters, their strengths and weaknesses. Worry above all about the aspects that matter most to you.

Personal evaluation of the stud

Direct contact with the animal teaches virtues and defects that no photograph reflects. Palpating the dogs allows a comparison of their structures. At first, this does not say much, but you have to persevere because it is something that you can only learn through practice.

Consult other breeders

Other people’s opinions must be weighed carefully. The competition between breeding services is intense, so don’t believe everything said by all stud owners. However, when the same comment is heard from a few people it is worth checking. Owners of bitches who have used the same stud are a good source of information. Unfortunately, rumours and gossip are always very abundant. If you have made a careful assessment of your bitch’s defects, talk to the stud owner and ask if they think their dog would help eliminate them. If the dog has been used many times as a stud or if the owner is familiar with the genetic line, he will be in a position to provide a satisfactory answer.

Frequently asked questions

What is a male stud dog called?
The most common names include: stud, stud dog or sire, the latter is less common nowadays.
What age should you stud your dog?
The best age depends a lot on the specific breed, as each breed is different. But generally, a male dog will reach sexual maturity when it is between 6-12 months of age.
Do stud dogs make good pets?
Yes, they do, especially since they possess many of the best characteristics or traits of the breed.
What are some of the most popular breeds in the UK?
There are many popular breeds in the UK, among them are the Jack Russell terrier, golden retriever, cocker spaniel, labrador retriever, English springer spaniel, Dandie Dinmont terrier, Portuguese water dog, Alapaha blue blood bulldog, German spitz, giant schnauzer, Hungarian vizsla, Norwegian elkhound, Swedish vallhund, and shih tzu.
What is a typical stud fee in the UK?
Expect to pay a stud fee between £250 and £1,000 for most popular breeds, although the best studs, those with a history of winning top competitions, can easily command a higher stud fee if in demand.

Final thoughts

The owner of a stud has a great responsibility because they often become the advisor to the owners of the bitches who seek to improve their dogs. They must be a serious breeder and aware of all the positive characteristics that their stud has as well as the genes that fix defects. Only with complete genetic knowledge of their dogs at stud will they be able to make smart decisions for others. Finally, you should check that a breeder is registered with the UK kennel club, for peace of mind.