Questions to Ask a Stud Dog Owner Before Booking a Breeding

A stud dog owner who cannot or will not answer these questions clearly is telling you something important. A good stud dog owner welcomes them.

Health and Certification Questions

1. Can I see the OFA records for your dog? The correct answer: "Yes — his OFA number is [X], you can look it up yourself at ofa.org." If they offer screenshots only or cannot provide verifiable records, be cautious.

2. What DNA health tests has he had, and what were the results? For every test: what company ran it, what was the result, and is the certificate available? Embark, Paw Print Genetics, and similar lab results should be shareable as PDFs.

3. Does your dog have a CHIC number? If yes, it's immediately verifiable. If no, ask why not — some breeders have complete testing without a CHIC number (perhaps from multiple labs rather than OFA-submitted results).

4. What is his Brucellosis test status? Responsible stud owners test before each breeding season and maintain current status. If they haven't tested recently, they need to before your breeding.

5. Are any of his DNA results Carrier status? Which conditions? A stud owner who says "all clear" on everything without documentation is not credible. Carriers are common in all breeds. Honesty about carrier status is a sign of a trustworthy breeder.

Breeding Logistics

6. What breeding methods are available? Natural tie only? Fresh chilled available? Frozen semen available? This determines whether long-distance breeding is possible.

7. What is included in the stud fee? How many ties or services? Does it include a repeat service if no litter results?

8. What are your requirements for the dam? Most responsible stud owners require a current Brucellosis test for the dam. Some require proof of health testing. Know what they expect from you.

9. Is the dog currently available? What is his schedule? Popular stud dogs may be booked in advance. Confirm availability for your dam's expected cycle.

Producing Record and Contract

10. Does your dog have previous litters? Can I speak with previous dam owners? A confident stud owner with quality offspring welcomes references. A reluctant one may not have a track record worth examining.

11. Do you have a written stud contract? Required. If the stud owner doesn't use contracts, walk away.

12. What happens if my dam doesn't conceive? Do they offer a repeat service? Cash refund? A clear, fair policy protects you.

13. Will you cooperate with AKC litter registration paperwork? The stud owner must sign litter registration paperwork. Confirm they will do so in a timely manner.

Red Flags in a Stud Owner's Responses

• Cannot provide verifiable OFA numbers
• Provides health results as photos rather than OFA records
• Reluctant to discuss health testing specifics
• "He's never been tested because he's obviously healthy"
• No written contract offered
• Vague on repeat service terms
• Cannot provide references from previous dam owners
• Pushes to breed before you've seen documentation

Summary

A prepared dam owner who asks specific health, logistics, and contract questions before booking a breeding is making a responsible decision. Legitimate stud dog owners welcome these questions because it indicates a serious breeder — not a casual buyer. Any reluctance to answer clearly and provide documentation is a serious red flag. Ask everything on this list before committing.