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What are the health risks for my dog if I decide to breed them?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I want to breed my dog with my neighbour's dog, what are the risk for my dog?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Christie Long, DVM

Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on December 6th, 2016

You don't mention whether your dog is a male or female, but I'll try to address both sexes. With any breeding, there is a risk of disease transmission. Brucellosis is the most commonly transmitted infectious disease between dogs in most areas but there is also a type of transmissible cancer that can be exchanged through breeding. You give your location as Canada, and I would say that TVT (Transmissible Venereal Tumor) is relatively rare there, but it is quite common in other parts of the world.

If your dog is a male, there are likely few other risks to breeding. Most of the serious risks manifest during pregnancy and especially delivery, when the possibility of dystocia, or inability to give birth (a number of causes) may occur. In these cases the life of the female can be in serious danger without surgical intervention (C-section).

Finally, in general, I'd ask that you really consider whether you feel that your dog and the proposed partner would produce puppies of sound genetics.Typically the only way to be confident in this is a full veterinary evaluation to include testing for known genetic problems in the breed. I'd also say that there are many unwanted dogs and puppies in the world, and breeding is not something to be lightly considered. .
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    I'm not sure if you have a male or female dog, but I will address issues with both. If you have a male dog, it's fine to breed him when he reaches sexual maturity, usually between six months to one year of age. Female dogs, however, are not recommended to breed on their first or second heat. That's because they are not fully grown or emotionally mature enough to look after puppies. It's recommended to breed a female dog on her third heat. You should never a breed a much larger male to a smaller female. That's because the puppies will be large, and will frequently causing birthing difficulties for the bitch. It's recommended to breed a male who is smaller or around the same size as the bitch you want to breed with. I'm not sure what breed of dog you have, but if you have a toy breed or small breed female, you need to be aware they have higher rates of whelping problems due to their small size, and quite regularly need c-sections to give birth safely. You should be prepared for that happening both emotionally and financially (an emergency c-section can cost thousands depending on your area and clinic). Finally, if you have a female, she should receive regular care from the vet throughout her pregnancy, you should be aware of whelping difficulties that can happen, be ready to get emergency help as needed, and be prepared that if she rejects the puppies, you will have to hand raise them yourself if you want them to live (which is time and labor intensive).

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    The risks are of various kinds expenses for check up s X-rays and possibly emergency treatments such as a c section, health problems will depend on age and breed. Lots of work and responsibilities for you to carefully consider.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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