Sending a Doe for Mating

Each year many bucks having a good breeding and for showrecord are placed at stud; does may be sent to these bucks forservice at a stud fee which of course will vary according to thebuck to be used. Often the wisest course for anyone other thanan experienced breeder is to send his doe to the breeder of hischoice and ask him to mate it to the most suitable buck. Thisis often better than sending the doe for mating to a particularbuck, for the owner of the stud bucks is in a much better positionto know the qualities of his different bucks and can thereforepick the most suitable.

The mating should be booked as early as possible, in orderto ensure that the doe is mated at the right time for her owner'spurpose. Before the doe is sent, complete agreement shouldbe reached between the owners of the buck and the doe as tothe fee, whether a free second mating, or even a third, will begiven if the doe fails to hold to the services, whether the feeincludes return carriage, and the length of time the stud buckowner can retain the doe for the mating. With regard to thelatter point it should be noted that it is illegal for a stud buckowner to retails a doe sent him for mating for a period longer than the gestation period, i.e. 35 clays, without the expresspermission of the owner. Thus, a time limit should be set,and if the doe is not mated within that period, she should bereturned, or her owner contacted.

The owner of the doe should realise that the stud buck ownerwill usually try to be of assistance. Under no circumstancesshould a doe with the slightest signs of ill health, be sent formating, for this is grossly unfair to the buck's owner. Againif the doe fails to kindle within a few days of the due date,the stud buck's owner should be immediately notified. It isunreasonable to expect a further free mating unless the doe isreturned within a reasonable time.