Most pet owners are not breeders, though some decide to have puppies once or twice; be it only because some friends or relatives are asking for, or just to keep an offspring of a beloved dog.

Especially when breeding make sure neither the female nor the male dog suffer from Canine Brucellosis. This is a disease of the reproductive system and very contagious between animals, even to humans. It will most likely cause females to lose their litter, infection of the sexual organs in males and infertility in both sexes. It is caused by bacteria that infects dogs, but also cows, pigs, horses and goats. It is spread by contact with the vaginal discharge or semen of an infected animal. Therefore the chance of infection during mating is extremely high.

There are no really typical signs for Canine Brucellosis. Sometimes the female will even conceive and whelp a litter full term. Most likely the puppies from this litter will be infected though and wil carrier of this disease, spreading it amongst other dogs. The male she was bred to will be infected almost certainly.

The disease is most common in stray dogs and so far there is no vaccine for it. Treatment is possible but not always effective. The best prevention is to have dogs tested in general, and even more important, before breeding.

The disease can be spread to humans, mostly when handling aborted puppies from an infected dog. Prevention is possible by wearing sterile gloves and disinfecting the area after removing the stillborn puppies, placentas, etc.

Even for a one-time breeder it is extremely important to take precautions and have both animals checked beforehand!

Tattooing your Animal’s Nose, Eyelids, etc.
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Dogs, males and females, can carry the mutant gene that is responsible for Albinism. Even the gene cannot be detected, it is most likely that a litter from these animals will result in one or more Albinos. The more Albinos are bred together, the clearer the Albino characteristics come to show.
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Pet health insurance is still relatively new, and many pet owners are unaware of their options. You have to decide for yourself which pet insurance company is the right one for you, and if it is worth it to pay the premiums in the event that something could go wrong. Most Pet insurance providers do not cover pre-existing conditions.
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Most new pet owners pick their veterinarians by looking through the phone book and calling up the one that’s closest to their home. After a few appointments the pet owner is uncomfortable with the vet, be it for his manners or maybe the advice he gives just seems wrong. Nevertheless, most will stick with the same doctor. Why? Would you go to a doctor that makes you feel uncomfortable? Switch if you think he is not right! It’s your pet, your money.
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