3 - Understand the Commitment
Responsible breeders know that raising puppies is a full-time job. During the first couple of weeks the dam normally takes care of the puppies' needs, but complications, such as a dam with no milk or an orphaned litter, may arise. It is the breeder's responsibility to provide a safe, warm, dry place for the puppies and proper food and water for the dam.
Puppies are even more work (and more fun!) when they are weaned. The extra feeding, cleanup, grooming, training, and veterinary care you will need to provide adds up to a lot of hours-and not much free time for you.
Another factor that you must consider is the financial burden of having a litter of puppies. Breeding is not a profit-making activity. From the genetic screening and health tests before breeding, to the extra food, supplies, and medical care required after the puppies are born, the cost of whelping and raising puppies can be very high, especially if complications arise. These costs are rarely, if ever, recouped by the sale of the puppies.
