i dont know where to start

Question:
 i have a pug dog hes around 8 month old and i dont know if hes old enough to start breeding, if he was would i need a breeders licence? plus i dont know how to find pug bitches to breed with ??? , im from the U.k
Answer:
 First, you need to prove the dog is breeding quality. Get out and learn how to show him and start showing. Contact a local Kennel Club in your region. And visit The Kennel Club's site for more information. No dog should be bred until he has proven himself a solid representative of the breed through showing (this gets you various comments on him through judges who know the breed solidly and what is a breeding quality dog). Along with this the dog needs to have the correct temperament for the breed and should also be temperament tested. Local dog clubs can help you get started with both of these. http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/ click on dog clubs Also contact the Pug Dog Club in Great Britain - they will be a great resource for helping you determine if your dog is even breeding quality and if you are realy the type of person who should be involved with breeding. http://www.pugdogclub.org.uk/index.html Next, he is too young to be bred. He is still a puppy and will not be mature for another year or two. Also, he needs to have various health screenings run to make sure he is free of the various health issues pugs can have that may not show up on a regular physical. Certain things like hip certification cannot be finalized until the dog is at least 24 months. http://www.pugvillage.com/genetic_issues.htm This is a list of hereditary issues in pugs. No dog with any of these should ever be used for breeding. Testing can be expensive but a good and responsible breeder will test for whatever they can along with showing the dog to make sure he is a good breed representative. Now, as for finding a gal - The Girls will find him IF he is proving himself in the show ring, of correct temperament and is clear of genetic issues. If someone just thinks you have a cute boy and wants to use him for their girl, then they have NO right to be breeding. There are far too many dogs being produced from less than ethical or less than educated or less than responsible breeders. A female should be held to the same standard as the male when considering a breeding and a good breeder will insist on form, function and health AND PROVE IT through shows, competitions and various tests. What happens with GOOD breeders is: 1) Owner of male gets out and starts showing/working the dog. If the dog starts winning classes and eventually points towards a breed champion and legs towards titles, he gets the eye of other good breeders. If not, the dog should be neutered as he is not a solid representative. 2) If he catches the eye of the owner of a good female then they will ask you questions about the pedigree, dogs behind yours, health screenings (and they will want to see proof), and then get to talking to you about a possible breeding IF they feel that their girl is compatible with your boy. The owner of the stud does NOT seek out the ladies but he has to have the dog visible to them through shows, ads in pug magazines highlighting his accomplishments, etc. 3) If the owner of the girl thinks your dog is a suitable match then you will discuss contracts. 4) When in season, the girl will come to your house and stay there for a week or more. You need to know how to manage a breeding, how to tell when she is at peak breeding time (and this may mean hormone testing her) as well as how to artificially inseminate if for some reason they refuse to breed naturally (and not all dogs will breed naturally - especially young dogs) Here are someexcellent articles on owning and maintaining a good stud dog: (note though written for other breeds the general information is UNIVERSAL) http://www.angelfire.com/ga/shihtzudelites/stud.html http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/breeding/ http://www.pedigreedogs.co.uk/k9bytes/the_stud_dog_2.htm http://www.pedigreedogs.co.uk/k9bytes/the_stud_dog.htm Responsible breeding is a serious proposition and you have a lot to learn. If you are not willing to learn all you can and breed ethically and responsibly then you will be doing nothing but hurting the breed as a whole. If you are willing to learn and do this right, then there is a whole world of comaraderie, experiences, travel and work opening up for you. Also support your local pug rescue as you will be contributing to the pet population as the owner of a stud dog. In the US alone there are thousands of Pugs in rescue needing homes. And this is the pug welfare group in the UK: http://www.pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/index.html Anyone willing to breed a female or own a stud dog MUST understand that they are contributing to the dog population and this is why breeding must be taken very seriously and for the right reasons: to better the breed and for your own needs first and those that do not fit your needs are sold as pets with a spay/neuter agreement. And as the owner of a potential stud, though you are not raising the litter, your dog will contribute to the population and you have a responsibility to the breed and rescue as well.