Stud Dog Contracts and Fees: Terms Every Stud Owner and Bitch Owner Should Agree On

Before agreeing to the breeding

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Both dogs' health testing exchanged and verified (OFA numbers, DNA panels).
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Brucellosis test on both dogs within 30 days; it is transmissible and devastating.
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Registration papers checked: full registration, DNA profile on file where the registry requires it for frequently used sires.
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Pedigree review and COI of the proposed mating.

The fee

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Cash fee: amount and when paid (commonly at the time of breeding, sometimes at whelping).
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Pick of the litter: which pick (first, second), who chooses when, and what happens with a litter of one or two.
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A common fallback: fee equals the price of one puppy at the breeder's usual price.

Return service

Breeding method and logistics

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Natural, side-by-side AI, fresh-chilled shipped, or frozen. Who collects, who ships, who pays shipping and the veterinary fees at each end.
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Number of ties or inseminations included.
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Where the bitch stays if she boards with the stud owner, and the care standard.

Paperwork

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The stud owner signs the litter registration application; state that signature is given promptly on payment.
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Who can register the litter and under whose kennel name.
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Any conditions on the placement of puppies (e.g. no puppies to be sold to brokers, pet puppies on limited registration).