The sprawling South Florida Metro area includes three major cities: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing regions in the nation. Despite its impressive skylines, the area has preserved a relaxed tropical lifestyle typical of South Florida living. Residents enjoy the beautiful waterways, upscale shopping districts, and a variety of activities with their pets. Fort Lauderdale Beach even offers dog-friendly events like “yappy hours,” dinners, and outdoor movies. Haulover Park features a dog beach, where dogs can play in the sand and swim in the ocean. With dog breeding and dog shows being particularly popular in South Florida, it is essential for participants to maintain safe, ethical, and healthy breeding practices.
Highland Pet Hospital, known for its excellence in animal reproductive health, provides breeders of all experience levels in the Florida Tri-County area (Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach) with the care they need to achieve successful outcomes.
Don’t Forget to Register With the AKC
Registering with the American Kennel Club (AKC) is an essential first step and a requirement for responsible breeding. The AKC maintains crucial birth records for every registered dog, which include the puppy’s name, its parents' names, date of birth, breed, and ownership history. This documentation is necessary for maintaining breed standards, tracking pedigrees, and promoting responsible ownership within the canine community.
Ethical Dog Breeding Practices for Beginners
When starting your path to successful dog breeding in South Florida, your choices can profoundly affect the life of the canine, offspring, and even the breed. It requires an ethical responsibility toward the breed's health, welfare, and advancement. At Highland Pet Hospital, we are committed to responsible breeding practices that focus on the health and genetic integrity of the parents for happy and healthy puppies.
Should My Dog Take a Test for Brucellosis?
Due to the implications of Canine Brucellosis, testing is highly recommended for any dog involved in breeding. Since infected dogs may not show obvious clinical signs but can still transmit the bacterium, testing all potential breeding dogs before every breeding is critical. This proactive testing helps prevent the introduction and spread of this incurable disease within a kennel and protects the health of the breeding pair and their potential offspring.
What Is Brucella In Canines?
Canine Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Brucella canis. This disease poses a significant threat to breeding and the overall health of canines. It is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, most commonly during breeding. Brucellosis can lead to various reproductive failures, including infertility in both sexes and abortions in females. It can also affect other body systems. Importantly, it is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmissible from infected animals to humans, although this is relatively less common. Brucellosis is a reportable disease in South Florida, highlighting its public health significance.
What Is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)?
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a condition affecting dogs with shortened muzzles and flat faces. These breeds, popular in South Florida and elsewhere, have compressed facial structures that can lead to a variety of respiratory issues. These include stenotic nares (narrow nostrils), an elongated soft palate, and other anatomical abnormalities that obstruct the airway, making it difficult for the dog to breathe normally.
Why a BOAS Test Is Essential for Canines
BOAS testing is an essential component of responsible breeding practices. It helps evaluate the severity of a dog's airway limitations. Unfortunately, breeding dogs with moderate to severe BOAS can perpetuate or even worsen these breathing problems in subsequent generations. By utilizing BOAS testing, breeders gain valuable information to make more informed decisions when selecting breeding pairs to produce puppies with better breathing function and overall health.
Healthy Dog Breeding in South Florida
To ensure that your canine is a suitable candidate for breeding like Maggie, it's essential to conduct thorough health screenings. This includes testing for infectious diseases such as Brucellosis and assessing for other anatomical issues, like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), particularly in breeds prone to these conditions, like French Bulldogs and Pugs.
Dr. Carla Barstow, a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenology and a board-certified theriogenologist, offers her vast knowledge and best practices to assist both novice and experienced breeders throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach, in achieving successful breeding outcomes. Call to schedule a breeding soundness exam today! We deliver personalized pet care for life!