AboutKim Wingate Expertise I can answer general questions about Poodles. My specific area of expertise is Standard Poodles, but I will answer all questions about Poodles and dog related questions if I can. If I can't answer your question, I will be able to find information or someone who can.
Experience I am a Dog Groomer and Dog Trainer, who has raised Standard Poodles for over 20 years. I can answer Housebreaking questions, Obedience questions, Grooming questions, Breeding questions, and General Dog questions.
Organizations I am a member of the AKC.
Education/Credentials I have worked at several Pet stores in my area, worked for a year as a Vet Tech, was an apprentice for a Dog Trainer, and have also worked at a Grooming/Showing kennel for several months. I have also raised, shown, trained, and groomed my own Standard Poodles for over 20 years.
Question I have a standard poodel, and a friend of mine has the male, which is the brother of mine, from a diffrent litter, She was wondering if we could breed our dogs?
Answer Hello Kim,
Even though these dogs are out of different litters, they are still brother and sister, therefore it wouldn't be wise to breed them together.
The reason for this is because if there is anything genetically wrong with either dog, (which would mean that both would have the problem in their genes, even if they don't have the symptoms) then it would automatically be passed on to the puppies, because they would get a gene from each parent.
So for example, if both of your dogs had a gene for ear infections and you bred these dogs, then you can be assured that the puppies will all have ear infections because they would all get a gene from the mother and a gene from the father for ear infections.
It takes 2 genes (one from the mother and one from the father) for each characteristic that makes up each puppy. IE, 2 genes for eye color, 2 genes for hair color, 2 genes for height, and so on. Its the same for genetic disorders. Since your dogs are brother and sister, they have the same genetic make-up. If you breed them together, the puppies will be like copies of the parents. This can be ok if there is nothing genetically wrong with the parents; but if the parents have something wrong, this means that they each have the gene for that condition and since both parents "give" each puppy one gene, then the puppies will all have 2 genes for the genetic problem, and since it is guarnteed that the puppies will get the genetic problem, it would be unfair to do that to the puppies.
Some breeders will breed a son or daughter back to their parent to double up on wanted traits, but there are still risks to doing this if you don't fully know your dogs genetic history because there could be hidden illnesses that you don't know your dog has that could still be passed on to the puppies.
Your best bet would be to try and find another more suitable male for your dog and then you and your friend raise the puppies together. You might try putting an ad in your local paper saying that you are looking for a Stud dog for your Standard Poodle. List your dogs age, color, height, and traits that you might be looking for in a Std Poodle, such as a good temperment, wonderful personality, moderate activity level, etc.
I hope this helps you some. If you have other questions for me about breeding or other questions in general, please feel free to ask.
