The Truth:

The theory behind this is that breeding will develop maternal instinct and “fulfill” the female, resulting in a calmer pet. The truth is that the maternal instinct is temporary. The calmness is otherwise known as exhaustion. Ask any mother. Breeding your female will also expose her to health problems that can rear up both during the pregnancy, and years after. Liz Gray, the Public Education Coordinator for the Tuscaloosa Kennel Club, has been trying to get this message across for 15 years-ever since she spent nearly $1000 to save her dog from a pregnancy related illness. She firmly believes that most people don’t understand the risks to their pets (or their bank accounts) when they decide to breed. “Most do not have a clue how much time, equipment, or money it takes to adequately care for a litter of puppies,” she explains. “Problems can arise at any time with any dog, but the risks are higher with first litters, especially for dogs that are too young to have been bred at all.” Unless you are an experienced breeder, please don’t breed your dog. Especially if the only reason you plan to breed is to develop a maternal instinct. Genetics and environment shape a dog’s personality, not giving birth to a litter of puppies.