What every stud dog contract should cover, clause by clause
Most stud disputes come from things nobody wrote down. A short, clear agreement protects both owners and keeps a friendship intact. This VerifiedStuds guide explains each clause in plain language. It is general information and not legal advice.
A breeding involves money, live animals and months of waiting. Meanwhile, memories of a phone call fade quickly. When the female misses, or has one puppy, or the puppies need papers, both sides need to know what they agreed.
A written stud dog contract answers those questions in advance. It does not need legal jargon. However, both owners should sign and date it before the dogs meet, and each should keep a copy.
Clause
What it settles
The dogs
Registered names, numbers, microchips and owners of both dogs
The fee
Amount, form and due date, or a puppy in place of the fee
Return service
What happens if she does not conceive
Health proof
Clearances and brucellosis tests required from both dogs
Method
Natural mating, fresh, chilled or frozen semen, and how many breedings
Costs
Who pays for testing, collection, shipping, boarding and vet care
Registration
The sire owner's promise to sign the litter application
Care and liability
Who is responsible for each dog while they are together
First, state the fee and when it is due. Some owners want payment at the first breeding. Others split it, with a booking fee up front and the balance when pregnancy is confirmed. Either is fine, as long as you write it down.
Next, define success. Many contracts promise a free repeat breeding, called a return service, if no litter results. So the contract must say what a litter is. Often it means at least one or two live puppies. It should also say how long the return stays open, and whether it passes to a different female if yours cannot be bred again.
If a puppy replaces the fee, add detail. Read pick of the litter explained before you agree to it. The stud fee guide lists typical prices by breed.
Both dogs should have a negative brucellosis test dated shortly before the breeding. In addition, the contract can list the health clearances each owner has shown. Our health testing guides explain each breed's list, and brucellosis in dogs explains that test.
The AKC also requires a DNA profile for sires used with fresh-extended or frozen semen, and for frequently used sires. Therefore, state that the stud meets those rules. See our guide to the AKC DNA profile.
When semen travels, more can go wrong. So write down who orders the shipment, who pays for collection and the courier, and what happens if a box arrives late or warm. Also agree how much notice the stud owner needs, since collections depend on the female's progesterone results.
Our dog artificial insemination guide explains chilled and frozen semen, and progesterone testing for dogs explains the timing.
The owner of the sire must sign the litter registration, or the AKC will not register the puppies. Therefore, the contract should promise that signature once the buyer pays the fee. Read how to register a litter with AKC.
Some stud owners add conditions about the puppies. For example, they may ask that pet puppies go on limited registration, or that no puppy goes to a pet shop. These terms are legal to request, but both sides should understand them before signing.
A contract has to fit your state's law and your own arrangement. For that reason, we explain the clauses here and do not publish a fill-in form. Ask a lawyer to review any agreement that involves a large fee or co-ownership.
Ready to book? Then find a health-tested stud, and take our list of questions to ask a stud dog owner. Stud owners can list their stud free.
Do I really need a stud dog contract?
Yes. A written agreement prevents arguments about the fee, repeat breedings and registration, and it costs nothing to write.
What is a return service in a stud contract?
It is a free repeat breeding if the female does not conceive, or does not produce the number of puppies the contract names.
Who signs the AKC litter registration?
Both the owner of the dam and the owner of the sire. Without the sire owner's signature, the AKC will not register the litter.
Can a stud owner put conditions on the puppies?
Yes, if both sides agree in writing. Common examples are limited registration for pet puppies and a ban on resale.
Is a stud contract legally binding?
A signed agreement generally is, but the rules vary by state. Therefore, ask a lawyer about anything complex.
Sources: American Kennel Club, guide to responsible dog breeding, American Kennel Club, Frequently Used Sires requirement, American Kennel Club, litter registration. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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