Breeding rights explained briefly
You have chosen a Dalmatian that comes from a good breeding program, is healthy, conforms to the breed standard, and in terms of temperament is what you expect from a Dalmatian: athletic, adaptable, friendly, well-balanced, and a dog that enjoys being active outdoors with its human. But how is it possible today—and in the future—to breed Dalmatians that meet all of these criteria? To say it upfront: it would not be possible if a breeder only had one bitch, bred several litters from her over the course of her life, and then, once the bitch is “used up,” acquired the next one.
What is the solution?
In the past, very wealthy people and their staff bred dogs. The animals were housed in kennels, and there were packs of up to 100 dogs. From both males and females, they could select the best individuals for breeding once they reached adulthood. From this large selection available to breeders at the time, it was possible to pair Dalmatians in such a way that their genetic diversity was preserved and expanded.
Today, the situation is very different. The number of dogs kept by breeders is much smaller; most of us are hobby breeders who are organized in clubs affiliated with the VDH, and not estate owners with staff as in earlier times. If we still want to achieve the same goal—namely, to ensure genetic diversity—we simply need more breeding dogs that, if they develop well, are also available for breeding. This is where we, as breeders, rely on your commitment as buyers. If you purchase one of our puppies and grant us the breeding rights, thereby supporting the Dalmatian breed, it becomes possible for us to once again select one of the best dogs for breeding.
How does it work?
Breeding rights for a male or female dog held by the breeder are based on an agreement in which the buyer grants the breeder the right to breed the dog. In a supplementary agreement to the purchase contract, it is stipulated that the breeder may have one or two litters with the bitch, or that the male may be used as a stud dog. Of course, only the best dogs are considered, and by no means should every bitch or every male be used for breeding.
And what does this mean for me as a buyer in concrete terms?
The male or female dog may not be neutered. They must be shown at at least three exhibitions required for breeding approval and must have achieved the conformation rating “Very Good.” Before the breeding approval test, an HD (hip dysplasia) examination is required, and the result must be HD-free (HD-A). If the bitch is used for breeding, she would come to our breeding facility for approximately 10 weeks. In the case of a male, we would like to have a say in which bitch he is used to mate with.
It is important that the conditions of the breeding rights are clearly set out in a contract. This includes aspects such as the responsibilities of the parties, financial arrangements, veterinary costs, and the conditions for using the male or female dog for breeding. The breeding rights should always be in the best interest of the welfare of the male or female dog and the quality of the breeding program.
In summary, breeding rights have the following advantages:
-
Breeding program: The breeder retains the right to use the male or female dog for breeding purposes. This allows the breeder to continue the bloodline and monitor the quality of the breeding.
-
Breeding control: Through breeding rights, the breeder can ensure that the male or female dog is only bred with suitable partners, thereby ensuring the quality of the offspring.
-
Health monitoring: The breeder can monitor the health of the male or female dog and ensure that appropriate veterinary care is provided to create optimal conditions for breeding.
-
Exchange of experience: Breeding rights allow the breeder and the buyer to exchange experiences and support each other in the care and showing of the male or female dog.
Only in this way is it possible to preserve genetic diversity in the future and to breed healthy dogs. From our A litter, we have breeding rights for two bitches. From the B litter, we have four males and one bitch. For the C litter, we would also like to have breeding rights for one male and one bitch. We would be delighted if you, as a buyer, also decide to do this and thereby make a major contribution!
