Prepare Yourself for Breeding a Litter Breed to Improve Understand the Commitment Choose A Suitable Mate Know Your Genetics Finalize Stud Contract Perform Pre-Breeding Health Checks Mating Pregnancy and Whelping Preparation Puppies Are Born Consult Your Veterinarian if Complications Arise Keep Your Puppies Warm, Fed, and Clean Register Your Litter with the AKC Soon After Whelping Wean Puppies from their Mother Sending Your Pups to Their New Homes Encourage New Owners to Register Their Puppy with the AKC