The heartbreaking reality of breeding dogs is that stillborn puppies occasionally occur. Responsible breeders handle these tragic situations with care, respect, and professionalism. Here’s an overview of what breeders typically do with stillborn puppies, focusing on both practical and emotional aspects.

Immediate Care and Assessment

• Attempting Resuscitation – If the puppy is born lifeless, breeders may try techniques like rubbing the puppy vigorously, performing CPR, or clearing the airways with a suction bulb. In some cases, the puppy may appear stillborn but can be revived.
• Veterinary Assistance – Breeders often consult a veterinarian to confirm whether the puppy is truly stillborn or if revival is possible.

Understanding the Cause

• Post-Mortem Exam (Necropsy) Some breeders may opt for a necropsy (animal autopsy) to understand why the puppy didn’t survive. This can help prevent future issues, especially if the death is linked to a genetic problem or complications during pregnancy.
• Health Monitoring of the Mother It’s essential to ensure the mother’s health wasn’t compromised during delivery. Breeders monitor her closely for infections or retained placentas, which could affect her or surviving puppies.

Emotional and Respectful Disposal

How breeders handle the remains of stillborn puppies varies, but many treat the process with dignity and care.

• Burial at Home – Some breeders choose to bury the puppy in a private spot, such as a garden, to offer closure.
• Pet Cremation Services – Others use individual or group cremation services. In individual cremation, the breeder may receive the ashes as a memorial.
• Veterinary Disposal – In cases where personal burial or cremation isn’t an option, breeders may rely on their veterinarian to dispose of the remains following standard procedures.

Memorializing the Loss

• Some breeders choose to memorialize stillborn puppies with keepsakes or tokens, like a small plaque or paw print. While not every breeder takes this step, it can provide emotional closure.

Preventing Future Losses

• Medical Insight – Learning from the stillbirth can help breeders avoid future complications by improving breeding practices, such as…
  • Ensuring proper prenatal care for the mother.
  • Scheduling ultrasounds or other checks during pregnancy to detect problems early.
  • Being more prepared for complicated deliveries through planned C-sections when necessary.

Emotional Impact on the Breeder

• Grief and Support – Losing a puppy, even a stillborn one, can take an emotional toll on breeders, especially those deeply committed to their dogs. Some breeders seek support from other breeders or pet-loss communities to cope with the grief.

Dealing with stillborn puppies is a difficult part of breeding, but responsible breeders handle these situations with compassion, professionalism, and care. From attempting resuscitation to understanding the cause and finding respectful ways to handle the remains, breeders aim to honor the life that was lost. Learning from the experience also helps them improve their practices and provide better care for future litters.