How to Respond to Stud Dog Inquiries: A Professional Template Guide

How you respond to a stud dog inquiry determines whether you get a booking or lose it to the next listing. Serious breeders are often contacting multiple studs simultaneously — the fastest, most professional response wins.

What Serious Breeders Want to Know Immediately

When a dam owner contacts you, they have specific questions even if they don't ask them all upfront:

1. Is the stud available during their dam's next heat?
2. What are the complete health test results?
3. What is the exact stud fee and what does it include?
4. What is the return service policy?
5. What breeding method is offered?
6. How many litters has he produced?

Your initial response should address all of these — don't wait for them to ask each one separately.

A Professional First Response Template

Thank you for your interest in [Stud Name]. Here's the information you need:

Availability: We are generally available for bookings and will confirm once you share your dam's expected heat timeline.

Health testing: [List the specific tests with results and dates]

Stud fee: $[Amount] for one breeding attempt, which includes [what's included]. We offer return service if no live puppies result.

Breeding method: We offer natural tie, AI with fresh semen on-site, and fresh-chilled semen shipped for out-of-state dams.

Production history: [Stud name] has sired [X] litters averaging [Y] puppies.

To proceed, we'd need the following from you:

• Your dam's breed and age
• Her health test results
• A progesterone update when she comes into heat

Happy to send our stud agreement for your review. What questions do you have?

What to Ask Before Committing

Before you schedule an appointment, confirm:

• The dam's health test results: Request documentation, not just verbal assurance
• Progesterone testing plan: Will they test progesterone? If not, natural tie timing will be guesswork
• First or subsequent heat: A dam being bred on her first heat may not be ideal — know what you're working with
• Geographic logistics: How far is the dam owner traveling? Is AI an option for long distances?

You have the right to decline a breeding if the dam's health tests don't meet your standards. Your stud's reputation depends on the quality of litters he produces.

Response Time Matters

Dam owners timing progesterone often need to make decisions within 24–48 hours. If you can't respond quickly during breeding season:

• Set up mobile notifications for inquiries
• Have a template saved that you can customize and send in minutes
• If you're unavailable, set an auto-reply with your expected response time

A 3-day response to a progesterone inquiry is a lost booking. A 3-hour response with complete information is a confirmed appointment.

Common Mistakes in Stud Dog Responses

Sending only your stud fee: This alone doesn't build trust.

Asking for payment information before health tests are confirmed: Puts the dam owner on guard.

Vague language about health tests: "He's health tested" without specifics signals you don't have the tests or haven't done them.

Not asking for the dam's health tests in return: Your stud's reputation is attached to every litter he produces. Know what he's being bred to.

Being defensive about pricing: Explain what the fee includes and why. Let the quality justify the price.