How to Choose Dog Breeding Software in 2026
Dog breeding has specific requirements. Your software needs to understand canine reproduction, breed-specific health testing, and registry requirements. This page explains what to look for—whether you choose BreederHQ or another platform.
What to look for in dog breeding software
OFA and PennHIP integration
Health testing is non-negotiable in responsible dog breeding. Your software should track OFA numbers, PennHIP scores, genetic test results, and clearances. It should link these to individual dogs and show them on pedigrees.
COI calculation
Coefficient of Inbreeding matters. The software should calculate COI from pedigree data and help you evaluate breeding decisions before you make them. If it can't do this, you're calculating manually or ignoring it.
Progesterone test tracking
Timing is everything in dog breeding. The software should track progesterone levels, predict optimal breeding windows, and help you plan AI or natural breedings based on actual data.
Heat cycle management
Every breed is different. Some cycle every 6 months, some every 12. Your software should track individual patterns, predict future cycles, and alert you when bitches are due.
Breed-specific health tests
Golden Retrievers need different tests than German Shepherds. The software should understand breed-specific requirements and let you track what matters for your breed.
AKC and UKC registry support
Registration numbers, titles, and DNA profiles matter. Your software should track these and generate the information you need for litter registrations.
Litter management
From whelping through placement. Track individual puppies, weights, colors, markings. Link puppies to buyers. Generate documentation. If the software treats a litter as one record instead of individual puppies, it's not built for breeding.
Waitlist and buyer management
Good breeders have waitlists. Your software should help you manage them—track preferences, match puppies to buyers, and handle the communication that comes with every litter.
Red flags in dog breeding software
Generic pet management systems
Software built for pet daycares or veterinary clinics is not breeding software. If it doesn't understand heat cycles, progesterone timing, and litter management, it won't work for breeding.
No distinction between breeding types
Dogs cycle differently than cats or horses. Software that treats all species the same doesn't understand canine reproduction. If it can't handle seasonal vs. year-round cycling, it's not for dogs.
Manual pedigree entry without import
Entering 5-generation pedigrees manually is a waste of time. Good software imports from registries or pedigree databases. If you're typing everything, the software is working against you.
No health test tracking
If you can't track OFA numbers, genetic tests, and clearances in the system, you're keeping separate records. That defeats the purpose of breeding software.
Limited to one breed
Some breeders work with multiple breeds. If the software locks you to one breed or charges per breed, that's a problem if you expand.
No genetic calculations
COI, color genetics, trait predictions—these matter. Software that only stores data without calculating anything isn't helping you make better breeding decisions.
What BreederHQ offers dog breeders
BreederHQ was built with canine reproduction in mind. Heat cycle tracking with progesterone test timing. OFA and health test tracking linked to individual dogs and pedigrees. COI calculation from pedigree data.
Litter management that treats each puppy as an individual. Waitlist tools that help you match puppies to buyers. Buyer portals where your clients can see their puppy's information, pedigree, and documents.
Works for one breed or twenty. Seasonal cycling breeds and year-round cycling breeds. Small hobby breeders and larger programs. Mobile-friendly for when you're at shows or whelping at 3 AM.
$39/month for most breeders. 14-day free trial with full access to test with your actual breeding program.
Questions to ask any dog breeding software vendor
How does it track progesterone tests?
Can you enter multiple tests per cycle? Does it calculate optimal breeding timing? Does it predict ovulation based on the data? If not, you're still using spreadsheets.
Does it calculate COI?
How many generations? Can you see COI before the breeding happens? If it only shows COI after puppies are born, that's too late.
How are health tests stored?
Can you track OFA numbers, test results, and clearances? Do they show on pedigrees? Can you filter breeding stock by health clearances? This is essential for responsible breeding.
How does litter management work?
Are puppies individual records or just a count? Can you track weights, colors, markings? Can you link each puppy to a buyer? The answer matters.
Does it understand seasonal vs. year-round cycling?
Some breeds cycle every 6 months like clockwork. Others are irregular. Can the software track and predict both patterns?
Can buyers access information directly?
A buyer portal where clients can see their puppy's information, pedigree, and photos saves you countless hours answering questions. If it doesn't have this, you're still manually managing every request.
What about AI breedings?
Frozen semen, fresh chilled, surgical AI—these are common in dog breeding. Does the software handle the documentation and timing for different AI methods?
How does it handle co-ownership?
Many dogs have multiple owners or breeding rights arrangements. Can the software track these relationships and permissions?
How to make your decision
1. Test with your actual breeding program
Enter your dogs. Enter a breeding. Track a heat cycle. See if the workflow makes sense for how you actually work.
2. Check breed-specific features
Different breeds have different requirements. Make sure the software can handle the health tests and characteristics specific to your breed.
3. Try the buyer-facing features
If the software has buyer portals or client-facing tools, test them. This is where you'll save the most time once you have a litter on the ground.
4. Ask other breeders in your breed
What do successful breeders in your breed use? Their experience matters. But also test yourself—what works for them might not work for you.
5. Consider long-term value
You're building a database of your breeding program. Choose software that will be around in 5 years and can grow with your program.
The bottom line
Dog breeding software needs to understand canine reproduction. Heat cycles, progesterone timing, health testing, COI calculation—these aren't optional features.
Generic pet software won't work. Neither will livestock software or systems built for other species. You need software built specifically for dog breeding.
Use free trials. Test with your actual data. Choose software that makes your work easier, not harder.