Know the frightening truth before breeding your pit bull.
If you are planning to breed your pit bull, learn the circumstances the breed is currently facing. Overpopulation and high euthanization rates plague these dogs. As the owner of a female pit bull, you face expensive medical care during pregnancy and whelping, in addition to the risk your dog could die. True advocates of the breed will not contribute to the problems it faces by bringing more puppies into the world.
Pit Bull Overpopulation and Euthanization Rates
Bringing more pit bulls into the world adds to the nationwide problem of pit bull overpopulation. According to the Happy Pit Bull website, 30 to 60 percent of the dogs in shelters are pit bulls, and the average euthanization rate is 93 percent. This is a staggeringly high number of pit bulls without homes that will ultimately face death because of their breed. Your pit bull may friendly, loving and handsome, but knowing the statistics that pits are faced with should discourage you from breeding your dog.
Breeding is Expensive
Breeding your pit bull may seem like a way to make money, but if you are a responsible owner, you will actually spend a large amount. According to veteran dog breeder Doris Engbertson, you'll need money for health screening radiographs and blood tests, supplies like high quality dog food for the pregnant mother, whelping supplies like towels, whelping boxes and scales, and vaccinations and health checks for new puppies. These costs are all the bare minimum, and often more money must be spent on extra vet visits or even emergency surgery. All the financial costs don't account for any time you take off of work to care for your pregnant dog or new puppies. It's possible to make some money back if you can sell all of the puppies, but it is not common to break even financially. You will lose money when breeding your pit.
Health Risks
Putting your pit bull through pregnancy and whelping is mentally and physically stressful for her, but it can also be life-threatening. Emergency situations can arise without warning, so you need to be prepared to lose your dog if you decide to breed her. According to the staff at Hilltop Animal Hospital, a complication called eclampsia can occur if your pit bull's calcium level is too low, and without immediate veterinary intervention, the female can die. Your pit can suffer from other problems including uterine infection, milk duct infection or uterine rupture.
Puppy Placement Problems
The popularity of pit bull puppies might make selling your dog's babies easy at first, but be aware of the risk that the pups could end up in bad homes. Your puppies could be raised and trained as fighting dogs where they will live in constant pain and fear. They could be abused and neglected, kept chained in a backyard. According to the Happy Pit Bull website, once the puppies grow into powerful adults, some owners decide it's too much work and take the dog to a shelter. This completes the sad cycle of overbreeding resulting in homeless and euthanized pit bulls.
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