1. Introduce yourself with a phone call. It’s more personal than a letter or an email. Do it well in advance of your bitch coming in season. Tell them who you are, what dogs you have and their origin. Don’t badmouth your dog’s breeder even if you have reason for bad feelings between you. If you are making the decisions about breeding your bitch on your own be sure to let the breeder know. Ask if they would consider providing stud service, and if so, ask what the terms would be. Explain approximately WHEN you would need stud service. Mention if it’s your first litter of Frenchies, and if you have experienced Frenchie people close by to assist be sure to let them know that as well. Answer any questions politely and openly.2. Stud service is at the whim of the owner of the stud dog. If you don’t like the terms, you thank the person and go elsewhere. If you try to negotiate them down, they will cut you off, and perhaps even badmouth you to other breeders. To try to negotiate the terms down is considered the worst of bad breeder etiquette.
3. When time gets close, set up the logistics. Shipping chilled semen? Meeting at the vet? Whatever it takes. Sign a stud service contract if the breeder requires it. (Make sure you have a copy to keep!) Pay the money. Whatever is agreed to.
4. Don’t be intimidated by formidable stud service contracts. They are all designed with the purpose of putting the onus on the owner of the bitch. If something goes wrong, the stud owner doesn’t want to be held liable. The best thing to do is smile and sign. ONE THING YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A STUD CONTRACT: WHAT HAPPENS IF THE BITCH DOESN’T TAKE. You need a repeat breeding if she doesn’t. Other than that, don’t expect anything. And if she doesn’t take the second time, you are normally out of luck. Also, most of the terms will put the bulk of the expenses on YOU. Don’t take offense. That’s standard practice. If semen is to be collected, you pay. If it’s shipped, you pay. And of course, you pay for the insemination or implant.
5. Make sure AFTER the breeding to keep the stud owner informed of progress, as a courtesy. And if all comes out successfully, send pictures and praise the stud dog.
6. If things don’t go well, don’t burn your bridges. You might need this person sometime in the future.
7. At no point, in any dealings, should you lose your temper.