dual breeder

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Hi everyone,

Are there any breeders within the forum?  Can anyone tell me what is meant by dual breeding?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's when two studs are used to sire one litter. Not something any good breeder would deliberately do. 

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Thanks for the response

[Ginny Nightingale]

I am not sure why it would be an issue if both sires are thoroughly health tested and you could differentiate between the offfspring...I knew someone who did this to get a variety of sizes within the litter--both sires were black but one was  tiny mini-poodle. The mating was done with artificial insemination over two days one day apart by a reproductive vet with the sire there.

The dam had a very large litter the first time so the breeder wanted more choice of size for customers in the second litter. It was pretty easy to tell which was the sire given the size differences and there were no issues that I know of. Sometimes, if done properly, it is not a problem, so it is not fair to say that it is NEVER something a good breeder would do.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I will stand by my opinion on this, because I don't believe that "giving the customers more choice" is ever a good reason for anything related to breeding. Puppy mills are churning out product to meet market demand. Good breeders are supposed to be producing superior dogs to improve their breed, period. If they are doing that, they will get customers. Breeding should always be about the welfare of the dogs, not about marketing or selling puppies. If a breeder wants to breed different sizes, do it in separate litters. More puppies = more $$$ is not the mindset of a truly good breeder. It should always be about quality, not quantity. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, even in purebred litters, sizes of puppies can vary widely, so there is no real way to know which pup was sired by which father unless you do a DNA test. I have seen many a litter of purebred puppies, all from one father, where there was one pup who was twice the size of another pup. I don't know about anyone else, but when I spend $3000, I want to know the pedigree on the puppy I'm purchasing beyond any shadow of a doubt. 

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Thanks for both opinions.   This specific breeder is the owner of both males and the female.  I had never heard of this practice so I was  just wondering.   I did research online after I saw this and some websites state this can also be done if the breeder doesn't want to breed the mom too many times within the year. I guess it does give a variety of pups and DNA testing can be done . It's amazing how we learn new things each day!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am not knowledgeable about this at all, but I remember hearing that the breeder DNA tested each puppy to determine the sire when more than one stud was used.  I was told that one reason that this was done was when one of the sires was untried and they wanted more insurance that a pregnancy would happen.

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Thanks Nancy for your response.  I read that also.  From looking on her website she has never bred this particular male with this female before. She has bred the female before with the other male. I truly believe she is a reputable breeder. Her credentials are current and she is a member of ALAA and ALCA.

[Jennifer and Jack]

My dog Jack's breeder was doing that.  She has up to three male dogs on her females and it was a crap shoot who the father was. She said she could tell by the markings.   I didn't know my breeder did this until years after i had my dog.   I didn't have a problem with it since all the dogs were health tested, what bothered me is she was guessing on the father and told the clients that the father was a certain one even if she wasn't sure.  that is sketchy. When i talked to her about it along with other practices that i was horrified over, she turned on me.   Money really is the root of all evil 

[Rosalyn Ancrum]

Thanks  so much Jennifer for your reply.   I've seen both of the dads . I wouldn't mind a pup from either one.  They are good looking dogs and health tested.    I have  seen the pups from both. I was just wondering about the process because I never heard of it before.