New to all of this...What to do?
 

I have my first Yorkie, a sweet boy and have had several people ask me if I am going to use him as a stud. This is new to me. I have never really thought about it. My question is, if I decide to, is it okay for me to ask them to provide DNA results showing that their dog has no genetic defects since I can provide this to them. I just do not want to be part breeding dogs that might have health issues. Is it okay to ask for all of that? I would not mind having one of his sons.

There are only a very, very few genetic disorders that can be traced via a DNA test. You might see this site for more information: VetGen: Veterinary Genetic Services - Canine - List of Services

Basically, none of that will help you breed a healthy yorkie. You need more information about the medical history of your dog, the potential mate, and their parents, grandparents, including life span information etc.

Where do I get all of that information from? Are there books on breeding and what to look for? If I am going to breed him, I want to do it the right way and make sure that the mom is healthy too.:animal-pa

There are all kinds of tests that need to be performed to make sure that he is suitable for breeding, including having the Bitch he is to mate with checked for an STD beforehand. Have you had a person with Show background evaluate him to see if he has all the qualities of a stud....teeth...knees.....earset....conformation? There are alot of things to be considered. Good luck in your decision.

You need to speak with the owners of those dogs. For me, this is easy, because I have a mentor who has allowed me access to her breeding dogs via leased bitches and use of her stud dogs. For the most part, she has bred and/or owned the dogs that are in their pedigree, and where she outcrossed to other lines, I am not shy about contacting the owners or breeders of those dogs to get more information. When I outcross I try to get as much information as possible from that dog's owner and/or breeder. If you look at the pedigree, if the dogs are from responsible breeders you will be able to trace owners of the dogs via their kennel names and/or the AKC can provide some information.

For the particular dogs being bred, I have their eyes examined by a veterinary opthamologist who will perform the tests necessary to register results with CERF, I try for within 4-5 months prior to breeding or do the test annually. I also have a veterinary cardiologist listen for heart issues, however if I cannot get to a cardiologist I do have my vet listen specifically for heart murmurs. Typically these tests are performed at clinics sponsored by dog clubs, either in conjunction with dog shows or stand-alone clinics or you can schedule private appointments (more expensive). I have my vet check for luxating patellas. I breed papillons (I have a yorkie but do not breed them) and liver shunt is not such a problem to the extent it is in yorkies so I will leave that to the yorkie breeders to advise you on as to what testing is appropriate.

I advocate breeding a bitch at an age that it is safe for her to start her breeding career (at 2 or 3, I do not want to wait until she is 5 or 6 if it can be avoided) BUT I tend to only use older stud dogs (age 6 plus) because I feel like many genetic conditions do not become known until a later age (sometimes even older than 6 but I also have to weigh risking poorer sperm quality if I really do not want to lose his potential contribution) and there is no harm in waiting for a dog to be closer to mid-life before using him at stud. My AKC CH/MACH/UD/RE dog named Piper sired his first litter at age 6 and his second litter (of 6!) is one week old, he is 8.5 yrs old) By waiting until the stud is older I feel like I have even more information even if it only comes from half the equation.

Is there a particular reason people want to use your dog, i.e. is he winning in the breed or performance rings, or does he have a fantastic pedigree? I don't breed a dog just because he is attractive and healthy, he needs to be able to contribute to the gene pool in a positive and fairly significant way for me to want to use him to perpetuate the canine population.

If I were you and considering breeding your male, I would first find an experienced in the area that would be willing to help you learn the ins and outs. You will need to have him evaluated to see if he is a quality representation of the breed that should be bred and you will need to have extensive health testing done on him. In addtion, you need to know the history, genetics and health of his parents, their parenets, littermates, etc. Being as he came from a breeder that purposely breeds for 'tiny, teacup dogs,' I would be particularly thorough with researching his background.
In addition to doing all that, you have to make sure that the same has been done for any females you would consider as possible mates for him.
In short, it's alot of homework.

I took a look at the website for the kennel where you purchased your dog. Although I am sure your baby is a wonderful friend and companion, I would strongly advise against breeding him regardless of what health testing you were to do. I am not trying to be snobbish or mean, but the yorkies on that site are not what I would consider to be breeding quality. The idea of breeding dogs is to get as close to the ideal dog described in the breed standard and also maintain the health of the dogs. The yorkies behind your baby are not of a type that advances the goal of approaching the ideal envisioned by the standard. Owners of female yorkies that are truly of a quality that should be bred will not ask to use your boy for stud purposes. I would treasure your baby as the terridic pet I am sure he is, and at an appropriate age I would have him neutered and would not breed him at any point before that. He can be your best friend and admired by all without needing to reproduce. I hate to be so negative, but I also feel the need chime in on health not being the only factor when deciding whether to breed a dog.

You worded that very well, polite and honest. I have to agree with advice and observations that you have stated here.