Sled dog breeding

[Americano Blue]

Killing pups is only in place when a pup is deformed or if it won't live a life with out pain. Killing a poor pup is crazy! Breeders don't usually do it unless its really needed.

i agree, it can be hard to sell pups you don't want in Alaska. especially if you live in the woods where there is no internet and you can't afford to keep pups. You and i live in the lower 48, we can sell pups easily and care for them while we have them. also i wouldn't recommend keeping ALL the pups from one litter because not all the pup will have the qualities you are looking for.

 

[res]

Mushers in Alaska tend to cull pretty heavily. A friend lives in Alaska and described their operations to me. It works but can tend to be a harsh one.

My recommendation for these tests is more for the OP who lives in the continental United States where culling heavily is not looked upon as kindly. The tests are also not that bad cost wise here. I think it's worth it and will make pups much easier to sell.

I agree 1000% with both points. Culling does happen in Alaska. And testing here in the lower 48 is definitely a good idea, and can be done affordably.

 

[SternRose]

i agree, it can be hard to sell pups you don't want in Alaska. especially if you live in the woods where there is no internet and you can't afford to keep pups. You and i live in the lower 48, we can sell pups easily and care for them while we have them. also i wouldn't recommend keeping ALL the pups from one litter because not all the pup will have the qualities you are looking for.

I'm not keeping ALL pups only ones that will improve my team.

 

[Americano Blue]

just checking

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[res]

Hey ok so I want to raise sled dogs, but I don't know what goes into breeding sled dogs. I know it not quite like breeding show/pet dogs. If and when I breed I would only do one litter a year. I know that the b*tches third or forth heat cycle is prim timing. But do the dogs need to be genetic tested and all that expencize stuff? I want to breed labs and huskys. 3 of each breed, 1 male of each breed and 2 females of each breed. One year is ill make for the huskys and the other for the labs. But only one female per year. I don't want to be a back yard breeder. I'm not in it for $$, I'm in it to better the sled dogs( and my team) I won't revered until the last litter is sold. I'm raising the dogs for fun and for a hobby. I won't compete. I will only breed when I can keep the WHOLE litter( hopefully it won't come down to that) if I do breed I'm gonna sell the pups for $150-$250 with NO BREEDING rights! Unless its to a nother musher or to a breeder who plans to show( the dogs I'm getting have show back grounds) so tips and a HELPING GUIDE are much needed.

 

[Americano Blue]

Hey ok so I want to raise sled dogs, but I don't know what goes into breeding sled dogs. I know it not quite like breeding show/pet dogs. If and when I breed I would only do one litter a year. I know that the b*tches third or forth heat cycle is prim timing. But do the dogs need to be genetic tested and all that expencize stuff? I want to breed labs and huskys. 3 of each breed, 1 male of each breed and 2 females of each breed. One year is ill make for the huskys and the other for the labs. But only one female per year. I don't want to be a back yard breeder. I'm not in it for $$, I'm in it to better the sled dogs( and my team) I won't revered until the last litter is sold. I'm raising the dogs for fun and for a hobby. I won't compete. I will only breed when I can keep the WHOLE litter( hopefully it won't come down to that) if I do breed I'm gonna sell the pups for $150-$250 with NO BREEDING rights! Unless its to a nother musher or to a breeder who plans to show( the dogs I'm getting have show back grounds) so tips and a HELPING GUIDE are much needed.

in theory SternRose said she was gonna keep the whole litter but sell the pups. how does that work?

 

[SternRose]

Ok so you guess completely mis under stood what I said. If the litter can't be sold I want to be prepared enough( dog kennels collars, ect) to keep them IF I HAVE TO. My plan is to sell the ones I don't want. Does that clear it up?

 

[SternRose]

in theory SternRose said she was gonna keep the whole litter but sell the pups. how does that work?

I could co own them. But I don't want that. Unless its an ok one that proven it sell to be a sled dog breeder.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Mushers in Alaska tend to cull pretty heavily. A friend lives in Alaska and described their operations to me. It works but can tend to be a harsh one.

My recommendation for these tests is more for the OP who lives in the continental United States where culling heavily is not looked upon as kindly. The tests are also not that bad cost wise here. I think it's worth it and will make pups much easier to sell.

Culling as in killing?

Know several mushers, haven't heard anyone kill dogs who don't meet up to standards. Useless, as the meat has no value nor does the pelt. I'd imagine that would only happen in extreme cases.

 

[dainerra]

I'm thinking that you won't have much of a market in Kansas for sled dogs. If you want mushers to be interested in your dogs, you are going to have to be a competitor and get your dogs out there. Since they would be investing a lot of money to ship your pups to Alaska or other states, you are going to have to have something that they can't get locally.
Hips and elbows certified through OFA. Eyes tested through CERF (this is done yearly). Thyroid issues are also very common in many of the northern breeds.

And I can tell you that asymptomatic HD (hip dysplasia) can go for years and not be noticed. Dogs can live long working lives (and yes, even pulling!) and never show a limp. When they do develop on, they are old enough that it is chalked up as arthritis. The only way to know is going to be an x-ray.

You also need to have health and working credentials on not just the mom and dad but access to records on as many relatives as possible. not just grandparents but aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc

Plus, you aren't going to make yourself a dog team breeding 1 ***** every other year. It's just not possible. Most people either get a female or they get a stud. They compete that dog and health test it and then research what mate would be the best match.

As it stands, the only people you are going to have interested in a pup is going to be someone looking for a cheap family pet.