Breeding Program & Expansion

An experienced breeder in the service dog industry will often confirm that a good working dog is not necessarily a good breeding dog, and vice versa.

A service dog breeding animal has unique qualities that can be difficult to articulate or define, but having observed such dogs over the years, I have found that they become easily recognisable during assessment.

We have extensive experience in assessing potential breeding dogs and can work alongside you to ensure that the dogs moving on to your breeding program offer great potential. It is important that the selection of your breeding animals is made in collaboration with your training department, but not exclusively by it.

We will work with your goals in mind to develop required working type and quality. This involves:

• Selection of breeding dogs
• Liaising with vets, specialists and laboratories for the assessment of health
• Coordinating DNA testing
• Conformation assessment and reporting
• Maintenance of foundation breeding lines
• Managing genetic diversity and outcrosses

Service Dogs Australia is experienced in improving the practical skills and knowledge base of service dog organisations through staff lectures and workshops.

We cater to small or large groups with a group of six or more being ideal. Topics include:

Breeding theory

• Reproductive anatomy
• Cycles, seasons and ovulation timing
• Natural breeding & vaginal AI’s
• Artificial breeding concepts
• Care of the Stud Dog
• Gestation – Care of the Brood
• 3rd Trimester – care of the Brood
• Whelping – stage 1 and 2 labour
• Post whelp care – lactation and weaning
• Caesarean section – post-operative care

• Introductory Genetics
• Complex Modes of Inheritance
• Prioritising Traits
• Interpretation and Use of Pedigrees
• Lectures and workshops in canine husbandry (both breeding and generalised)
• Subject areas of choice – reproductive health, ears, skin, digestive health, weight management, orthopaedic health, post-op care, wound care, first aid, infant puppy health care – nervous system development, monitoring and health care, critical care, Brood care – post-whelp, post C-section, weaning, condition and weight management, supplementation of diets, cycles/seasons, ovulation timing, practical breeding, fresh AI’s, artificial reproductive technologies.
• Lectures and workshops in practical whelping and reproductive management of broods and stud dogs
• Lectures and workshops in litter socialising and temperamental development