What Should Be in a Stud Dog Contract: A Complete Guide

A stud dog contract is not just paperwork — it is the foundation of a business agreement between two dog owners. A clear, comprehensive contract prevents disputes, sets expectations, and protects both parties when things do not go as planned.

Whether you own the stud dog or the dam, you should insist on a written contract before any breeding takes place. Verbal agreements are extremely difficult to enforce and leave both parties vulnerable.

Essential Elements of Every Stud Contract

1. Identification of Both Parties

Include full legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for both the stud dog owner and the dam owner. Do not use nicknames or kennel names as the sole identifier.

2. Identification of Both Dogs

For both the stud dog and the dam, include:

• Registered name (full AKC/CKC/UKC registered name)
• Registration number and registry
• Date of birth
• Color and markings
• Microchip number (if applicable)
• Breed

3. Stud Fee and Payment Terms

Specify:

• The exact stud fee amount (cash, check, PayPal, etc.)
• When it is due — typical arrangements include: paid at time of breeding, paid at confirmation of pregnancy, or split between breeding and whelping
• Whether the fee is per breeding or per litter
• Refund policy — what happens if the dam does not conceive?

4. Breeding Method

Specify the agreed breeding method:

• Natural tie
• Fresh AI (same location)
• Fresh-chilled semen (shipped)
• Frozen semen

If fresh-chilled, specify who pays for shipping, collection fees, and insemination fees on each end.

5. Number of Breedings/Services

Specify:

• How many ties or inseminations are included
• Whether a repeat service is offered if the dam does not conceive on the first service

6. Health Testing Requirements

Both parties should commit to testing requirements:

• Brucellosis test within 30 days for both dogs (required for all natural breedings)
• Any breed-specific health tests you require of the other party
• Who verifies the tests and when

7. Live Puppy Guarantee

The most contested clause in stud contracts. Common approaches:

No guarantee: The stud fee is for the service, not for puppies. If the dam does not conceive or loses the litter, no refund or repeat service is owed. Simple and clear, but can feel unfair to the dam owner.

Free return service: If no live puppies are born, the stud owner provides one free repeat service on the stud's next available breeding. This is the most common arrangement among reputable breeders.

Refund trigger: Define what constitutes "no live puppies" — some contracts require at least one live puppy survive to a specific age (e.g., 8 weeks).

Pick of litter in lieu of cash: In some arrangements, the stud fee is paid as a pick-of-litter puppy rather than cash. If this is the arrangement, specify:

• Who gets pick rights (stud owner, dam owner, or shared)
• At what age the selection is made
• What happens if the litter is all the wrong sex
• Who covers puppy care costs until selection

8. Repeat Service Terms

If a repeat service is offered:

• Time limit (e.g., "on the dam's next heat cycle, within 12 months of original breeding")
• Whether the dam must still be owned by the original owner
• Whether the stud must still be owned by the original owner and available for breeding

9. Registration of Offspring

Specify who registers the litter and with which registry. Note: AKC requires the stud dog owner to sign a litter registration application. Some stud contracts include a clause that the stud owner will cooperate with litter registration within a reasonable time frame.

10. Restrictions on Offspring

Some stud owners include restrictions on how offspring may be used:

• No breeding without contacting the stud owner
• No selling to pet stores or brokers
• Right of first refusal if the dam owner decides to rehome a puppy

These restrictions are enforceable only if clearly stated in the contract.

11. Dispute Resolution

Include a clause specifying:

• How disputes will be resolved (negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation)
• Which state's laws govern the contract
• Whether the prevailing party is entitled to attorney fees

12. Signatures and Date

Both parties must sign and date the contract. Each party should retain a signed copy.

Sample Clauses Worth Discussing

Genetic health disclosure: "Stud owner represents that the stud dog has received the following health evaluations [list] and results are on file at OFA.org under registration number [X]."

Cooperation with registration: "Stud owner agrees to sign and return AKC litter registration paperwork within 14 days of receipt."

Transfer of stud ownership: "In the event the stud dog is sold, deceased, or otherwise unavailable for a repeat service, this contract is voided and [refund/no refund/alternative stud offered]."

Summary

A complete stud dog contract identifies both parties and both dogs, specifies the fee and payment timing, describes the breeding method, states health testing requirements for both dogs, defines what happens if no live puppies result, and includes a dispute resolution clause. Both parties should have a signed copy before any breeding occurs. A contract protects everyone — and a breeder who refuses to sign one should be considered a red flag.