Checklist:

• Check that no breeding endorsement has been placed on your dog’s records by the breeder you bought her from

• Ask your vet’s advice and ensure your dog is healthy and suitable (especially in temperament) to whelp a litter

• Carry out all currently recommended health checks e.g. DNA eye testing for Miniatures and Lafora for MWHDs (Contact a Breed Club for more breed-specific information, if you are unsure)

• Ensure that the health status of the proposed stud dog is satisfactory and that the owner has also carried out any recommended health checks (and they are “Clear”)

• Talk to the breeder of your bitch, as they should be able to help advise you on suitable mates

• Read our advice on genetics and diversity, Breed Club Code of Ethics and Guidance on the Code of Ethics

• Predict the Coefficient of Inbreeding of puppies from a proposed mating using the Kennel Club's Mate Select service.

 

You have to be sure that you have enough enquiries for good homes, as this is quite a specialist breed and can be difficult to sell if you don’t have contacts in the breed or a waiting list. Enquiries for new homes tend to be from people who have already had one of the breed and are looking for a replacement for an old dog who has died. Interest in the breed has grown significantly since 2014, partly driven by a number of adverts featuring Dachshunds. This means they risk becoming a "commercial" breed with potentially unsuitable owners and unsuitable breeders.
 

Dachshunds can have quite large litters of 6 – 8 puppies and if new owners are not forthcoming you could be faced with keeping this number of extremely active (and hungry) pups beyond the age of 8 weeks until suitable homes become available. Do you have the time and space for such a commitment?

 

Are you able to afford the cost of vets fees if your bitch requires a caesarian section?  Depending on where you live this could cost you anywhere up to £2000. There is always a risk that your bitch might suffer complications and die during whelping.  Prepare yourself for this possibility and the subsequent need to hand-rear any surviving puppies. Here are some data on Dachshund fertility and whelping.

 

If you’re thinking about breeding “to make money”, or because you think “it would be nice for my bitch to have puppies” these are probably not the best of reasons.  

 

Remember, if you just want a companion for your pet, perhaps it would be better to get another puppy from a specialist breeder.

 

Relevant clauses from the breed clubs' Code of Ethics; Breeders...

• Will discourage indiscriminate breeding, bearing in mind always the welfare of the bitch as a primary consideration and the long-term welfare of any puppies bred by me.

• Will take all reasonable steps to ensure that breeding stock is of good physical and genetic health, of acceptable temperament and fit for function (e.g. be able to see, breathe normally, be physically fit, and able to exercise freely).

• Will use all Health Scheme tests currently required or recommended for the KC Assured Breeder Scheme on all breeding stock.

• Will make responsible decisions in the light of Health Scheme test results to avoid producing clinically affected puppies and will follow any breeding advice issued under each scheme prior to breeding.

• Will not knowingly mate 2 dapples together.

• Will not allow any of my dogs to be used irresponsibly at stud…
  (a) any bitch must have had KC required or recommended health tests (or be hereditary clear) and therefore any puppies produced will NOT be affected.

• Will not breed irresponsibly…
  (a) from any bitch less than one year of age at the time of mating andonly when she is considered mature enough to raise a litter of puppies.
  (b) from any bitch who has already reached the age of 8 years at the date of whelping, save in exceptional circumstances and only provided application is made to the KC prior to the mating (supported by veterinary evidence as to the suitability of the bitch involved in the proposed whelping) and the proposed dam has previously whelped at least one other registered litter, and permission has been received.
  (c) from any bitch who has whelped 4 litters.
  (d) more than one litter in a twelve-month period per bitch (except with veterinary advice).

• Will not breed from a bitch who has had 2 caesarean sections (as this may indicate possible whelping difficulties).

• Will not import, export or exhibit any bitch who is more than 28 days in whelp.
   

Advice from the Kennel Club.

N.B. The KC will not register puppies when:

• The dam has already whelped four litters, or

• The dam has already reached the age of 8 years at the date of whelping, or

• The dam was under one year old at the time of mating.

• The offspring are the result of any mating between father and daughter, mother and son or brother and sister, save in exceptional circumstances or for scientifically proven welfare reasons.

[Regulation B 3.28 (22c)]