OrangeCell ToolsHow should a dog breeder keep litter and whelping records?
Updated October 29, 2026 · OrangeCell Tools · Topic: Dog Breeder Tools
Short answer
Keep one record per litter and one per puppy, linked together. For the litter: dam, sire, breeding date, due date, whelp date, go-home date and the litter's income and expenses. For each puppy: an ID (collar color), sex, color, microchip number, a dated weight log, and buyer, price, deposit and balance. Weigh puppies on a schedule and record every weigh-in so gain is visible at a glance; your veterinarian can tell you what gain to expect for your breed.
The records most breeders keep
| Record | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Dogs | Dams, sires and prospects: registration number, date of birth, health-testing notes |
| Litters | Dam, sire, breeding date, due date, whelp date, go-home date, puppy counts |
| Whelping log | Date, puppy ID, weight; birth weight, latest weight and gain per puppy |
| Puppies | Sex, color, collar, microchip, status (available, reserved, sold, kept), buyer and contact |
| Money | Price, deposit, payments and balance per puppy; litter expenses such as stud fee, health testing, vet care and whelping supplies |
Why it is worth the effort
- A weight log makes a puppy that is not gaining visible early, so you can call your vet.
- Buyers ask for microchip numbers, dates and records at go-home; having them in one place saves time.
- A profit and loss per litter shows what a litter really cost once health testing and vet bills are counted.
- Kennel clubs and some states have their own record-keeping requirements; check the ones that apply to you.
Tools
Breeders use paper whelping charts, breeding-management apps and spreadsheets. One spreadsheet option is our Litter & Whelping Records workbook ($19 on Etsy): a 300-row weigh-in log with gain per puppy (grams or ounces), a 60-puppy buyer and balance tracker, up to 12 litters and a P&L per litter. It is a record-keeping tool, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
How often should newborn puppies be weighed?
Many breeders weigh daily for the first couple of weeks and then less often. Ask your veterinarian what schedule and gain to expect for your breed.
What should a puppy buyer receive at go-home?
Commonly: vaccination and deworming records, microchip details, registration paperwork if applicable, and your contract. Requirements vary by club and state.
How do I track deposits on reserved puppies?
Record price, deposit and each payment against the puppy, and calculate balance due; a status column (reserved, deposit paid, sold) keeps the list current.
Products mentioned
| Product | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Litter & Whelping Records | Keeps dogs, litters, puppy weigh-ins with gain, buyers, deposits and balances, and a profit and loss per litter in one workbook. | $19 |
Prices verified on Etsy October 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not tax, legal, financial or veterinary advice.