1) Has your male been evaluated in the show ring by qualified judges against top competition? Does he have point towards his Championship or is a Champion of Record? A bitch owner isn't going to "breed-down" their bitch to a dog that is of lower qualtiy and type to their bitch. They will want to use a dog that is better than their bitch, to improve the line. Does your dog have disqualifing faults like oversize, undersize, poor bite, or body spots? If so, your stud will produce these faults. Why would you ask anyone to pay for imperfection?
2) Has he been OFA certified clear of hip and elbow dysphasia? If you are going to breed, you don't want your stud to be producing puppies with genetic inferiorities.
3) Have his eyes been checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist, who certified him clear of PRA , Sheltie Eye Syndrome and other hereditary eye defects?
4) Has he been tested clear of brucellosis?
5) Is he of the proper temperament and body type? Sure he may have a full white collar, but a lot of breeds call for collar markings. It's body and head type that define the look of a sheltie from other breeds. If you don't know if your dog is an excellent example of the breed according to the breed standard, you will have to do some research.

If you can answer yes to all of the above questions, you are one of the lucky few to own an outstanding dog. The next question is, are you ready and qualified to handle a stud dog?

Breeding doesn't always happen 1-2-3. Do you have the necessary facilities to board a bitch or bitches in season to keep her safely in and the neighbor dogs out? Are you prepared to board a problem bitch that is fearful, aggressive or an escape artist? Will you be able to deal with fleas, worms, parasites and the disease that she can bring into your home? I assume that you take good care of your dog, but not everyone takes great care of theirs.

Are you prepared to spend sleepless nights with your boarding bitch in season barking and fussing and your male pacing and howling?

Are you prepared to handle the problem bitch that doesn't want to be bred and tries to tear your dog or you to shreds? Bitch owners will be paying you to breed their bitch no matter what. If she's not going to cooperate, you will have to ejaculate your stud yourself, and artificially inseminate the bitch. Do you feel you can handle that? If not, you will have to have a vet do it (Cost: around $75 each time, and a bitch usually is bred 3 time or more!).

Are you qualified to evaluate pedigrees and judge if your dog's five-generation pedigree will complement the bitch's? After all, it's your dog's name and reputation you're passing on to that litter.

Are you qualified to advise the bitch owner on whelping and puppy care? If your dog is bred to a bitch belonging to a novice owner, that owner is going to expect you to have all the answers. Do you have a ready market for offspring of your stud dog to help the bitch owner place the litter? (This is usually achieved by showing your dog and having him become well known. A lot of time and money must be put into your dog if you want to get anything back.)

Have you seen many bitches in season at all, and can you tell when it is best to breed the bitch? If the bitch doesn't get pregnant, you will have to breed her again for free. It is also customary to guarantee two live puppies. If she only has one, you will have to service her again for free.

Have you ever assisted in a breeding, or even seen one so you will know what you have to do? Do you realize that its more than putting the two dogs in an area together? Do you realize that leaving a dog and a bitch in season alone together can be disastrous and may even physically harm both? Possibly rendering your stud sterile.

Are you prepared for the change in your male's temperament? Once he's been used for stud, that will become the ONLY thing on his mind. Or are you prepared for the wear and tear on your stud dog ... his not eating, pacing and constant whining/howling for a week will not be easy to cope with.

Can you afford the time to run him to the vet every time a bitch arrives to have a sperm count and bacterial culture done on him?

As you can see, its not all that easy. Please think about it.