Whether you're listing a stud or searching for the perfect match, we'll walk you through every step.
FindMyStudDog makes it easy for breeders to find the right stud and for stud owners to manage bookings, communicate with buyers, and receive secure payouts all, in one place.
How it works
Every breeding runs through the same eight steps. The stud owner approves before any money moves, FMSD holds the payment until the shipment is delivered, and every shipment is tracked from collection to the receiving vet.
If you are looking for a stud
From browsing to a shipment on your vet's table.
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1
Find a stud
Browse studs with verified health testing. Filter by breed, size, coat genetics, health results and location.
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2
Introduce yourself
Message the owner through the site, tell them about your female and let them know you plan to book. Most owners want to know who they are breeding to before a date is held.
Do this early -
3
Request your date
Pick a date on the stud's calendar and tell the owner about your female. Nothing is charged at this point.
Free to request -
4
The owner approves
They review your female and your date, then approve or decline. You are only asked to pay once the stud owner has approved.
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5
Pay in one place
One payment covers the stud fee, the collection, overnight shipping and the Buyer Protection Fee. The full price is shown before you confirm.
Held until delivery -
6
Collection and shipping
The owner's vet collects and FMSD books the overnight label. You get tracking without asking for it.
Two shipments included -
7
Delivery to your vet
Next-morning delivery, usually by 10:30. FMSD watches every shipment and steps in on anything late or missed.
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8
If something goes wrong
You have three days from delivery to raise a problem. Every booking is covered by a written dispute and refund policy and a repeat breeding guarantee.
Your money does not reach the stud owner until the shipment is delivered. FMSD holds it in between.
If you own a stud
From building the listing to the payout landing.
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1
List your stud
Photos, your health testing documents, your stud fee and your collection cost. No listing fee, no subscription.
About 10 minutes -
2
Get verified
FMSD reads your health documents and adds the verified badge. Only verified studs can be booked, so buyers know what they are looking at.
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3
A breeder gets in touch
Buyers message you before they book, so you learn about the female early instead of the night before a shipment. Say yes, ask for more, or say no.
Before any date is held -
4
The request comes in
You see the female and the requested date before anything is committed. Approve or decline. Nothing moves without it.
You decide every breeding -
5
The buyer pays
Payment is taken and held by FMSD. No chasing a breeder for a stud fee, and nothing for you to do until collection day.
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6
Collect and ship
Your vet collects. You generate the prepaid label from your dashboard. FMSD is the shipper of record and handles the carrier.
Label is already paid for -
7
Delivered
Tracking updates on its own and both sides see the same thing. Nobody has to ask where the package is.
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8
Get paid
Your payout releases four days after delivery, straight to your bank through Stripe.
7% founding breeder rate
No listing fee and no subscription. FMSD only earns when you get booked.
Pre-Flight Checklists
2.1 Stud Owner – What to Have Ready Before You Start
Description | Required | Recommended |
3-5 high quality photos (clear, well-lit conformation shots – minimum 1 required) | ✓ | |
Breed, date of birth, weight, and color | ✓ | |
Stud fee amount and Standard Collection Cost | ✓ | |
Service type: Chilled Semen (the only service type currently offered on FMSD) | ✓ | |
Studs actual location – this is used to calculate shipping and will not be shared publicly on the site | ✓ | |
Breed-specific genetic panel (PDF or image) – from any accredited lab | ✓ | |
At least one health evaluation result (OFA Hips, Elbows, Eyes, Cardiac, or Patella) | ✓ | |
| Brucellosis test highly recommended but not required | ✓ | |
Full DNA panel (Embark, Paw Print, UC Davis, Animal Genetics, Wisdom Panel, etc.) | ✓ | |
Pedigree information and lineage (note: include titles and health only – no kennel names or breeder contact info) | ✓ | |
Semen evaluation report (no dedicated upload field – include results and motility details in your description) | ✓ | |
All additional OFA health evaluation results |
| ✓ |
Short bio covering temperament, accomplishments, and titles | ✓ | |
Rebreeding/no-pregnancy policy decided in advance | ✓ |
2.2 Buyer – What to Have Ready Before You Start
Description | Required | Recommended |
Your female’s breed, age, health testing, coat (such as merle) | ✓ | |
Approximate heat cycle timing or current cycle stage – be ready to message stud owners when they go into heat | ✓ | |
Desired insemination method (chilled AI or TCI – live cover and side by side AI are not offered on FMSD) | ✓ | |
A reproductive veterinarian identified and contacted | ✓ | |
Progesterone testing scheduled to confirm ovulation timing | ✓ | |
Your female’s health testing results (to share with stud owner) | ✓ | |
Current Brucellosis test for your female (not required by FMSD, but most reproductive vets will require a negative result before performing AI or TCI) | ✓ | |
A backup stud identified in case of unexpected issues | ✓ | |
Delivery address confirmed – vet clinic, home, or UPS/FedEx store for pickup – may depend on the day of delivery | ✓ |
Journey 1: Getting Started - Sign up
Step 1 Go to FindMyStudDog.com and click Sign Up
Click the ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner of the homepage. You can register using your email address or phone number. Account creation is completely free.
Tip: Use the same email you check regularly – booking confirmations, messages, and dispute notifications all go here.
Step 2 Enter your details and verify your email
Fill in your name, email address, and create a password. You will receive a verification email from FMSD – click the confirmation link before logging in. You must verify your email before you can message sellers, add a listing, or make a booking.
Tip: Check your spam folder if the verification email doesn’t arrive within 2 minutes. Use the ‘Resend Email’ link on your dashboard if needed.
Step 3 You’re in – explore your dashboard
Once verified, you land on your dashboard. From here you can add a stud listing, search for studs, view messages, manage active bookings, and track transactions. You can be both a Stud Owner and a Buyer under the same account. Take a few minutes to explore before your next step.
FAQ link: ‘Have questions about accounts or privacy? See the Account and Safety FAQ →’
Journey 2: For Stud Owners
4.1 How to Add Your Stud Listing
Step 1 Click ‘Add a Stud’ from your dashboard
Log in and click the ‘Add a Stud’ button from your dashboard or main navigation. This opens the listing builder – a step-by-step form that guides you through every section including your photos, dog details, pricing, health documents, and rebreeding policy.
Step 2 Upload your photos
Upload a minimum of 1 photo and up to 5. Use clear, well-lit shots that show your dog’s conformation, coat, and face. Listings with 5 high-quality photos receive significantly more inquiries. Drag and drop to reorder – your first photo is the listing cover image. Keep in mind that photos should not contain and any contact information, kennel names, etc.
Tip: Natural light photos outdoors outperform indoor shots. Show your dog standing, in profile, and a close-up of the face.
Step 3 Enter your dog’s details
Fill in breed, date of birth, weight, color, coat type, and all other genetic information you have. For purebred dogs, complete the title, lineage, and conformation section using titles and health credentials only – do not include kennel names, breeder names, or contact information in any field. Select whether you allow mixed breed bookings using the toggle. Write a bio covering your dog’s temperament, accomplishments, titles, and anything that makes him stand out – this is your sales pitch, be specific and genuine.
For semen quality, include relevant details such as motility and concentration directly in your description, as there is no separate upload field for semen evaluation reports.
Tip: Breeders read bios carefully. Mention energy level, how he is with other dogs, any training or titles, and what makes him a great breeding choice.
Step 4 Set your Standard Collection Cost and Stud Fee
Add your standard collection cost to each stud profile. Enter your stud fee for the “Stud Service” specifically. FMSD currently offers chilled semen as the only service type currently.
Your stud fee, collection cost and and calculated shipping will be displayed to the buyer at checkout and can’t be changed after booking is completed.
Tip: Research comparable listings on FMSD to price competitively for your breed.
Step 5 Upload your health testing documents
Health documents are uploaded here in the listing builder. Upload all genetic health panels and at least one health evaluation (OFA Hips, Elbows, Eyes, Cardiac, or Patella). If you tested with Embark, paste your results link into the Embark URL field. A link straight from the lab is the strongest result we can accept, because it cannot be altered. A full PDF of your results works too.
If your breed’s parent club does not require a genetic panel, say so on the form and we will check that against OFA before your listing goes live. Every cross requires a panel.
Brucella is not a document. You answer whether your stud has been tested, and if he has, you enter the result and the test date. Testing is not required. An accurate answer is.
Add any other results you have. Buyers can filter search results by health testing, and a listing with nothing on file does not appear when they do.
Tip: make sure every document clearly shows your dog’s name, test date, and results. Blurry, cropped, or incomplete documents will be rejected during review.
Step 6 Set your availability
Set your general availability using the availability calendar or toggle. If you are only available during certain months or have a current booking hold, mark it here. Buyers filter by availability so keeping this current directly affects how often you appear in search results.
To do this, select the “Unlock” icon, select the dates you are NOT available, and then click the “Lock” button. This will turn those dates to Red and they are not bookable. To remove them, click on the dates you want to make available select the unlock button and then click outside of the calendar area.
Refresh your screen to verify the changes too place.
Step 7 Your Rebreeding Guarantee
Every booking on FindMyStudDog includes the rebreeding guarantee. If the breeding does not result in a pregnancy, you provide one repeat breeding with the stud fee waived. The buyer pays the collection cost and shipping, and you receive the collection cost in full.
The repeat breeding is for the same female, within 24 months of the last insemintation date. If your stud is unavailable you may offer a substitute from your own program, subject to the buyer agreeing.
Choose and customize your rebreeding terms. You will set the minimum number of live puppies that constitutes a litter for rebreed eligibility – most stud owners set this at 1, 2, or 3.
Step 8 Review and submit
Review all your information and click Submit. Your listing enters the FMSD review queue. You will receive an email when your listing is approved and live. Most listings are reviewed within 24 hours.
4.2 Health Verification - What Happens After You Submit
Health documents are uploaded during the listing creation process above – there is no separate health upload step. Once your listing is submitted, here is what happens next:
Step 1 Admin reviews your health documents
FMSD admin reviews all submitted health documents after your listing is received. Most documents are verified within 24-48 hours. You will receive an email notification for each document approved or rejected.
Tip: If a document is rejected you will receive a reason by email. Common reasons: document is blurry, does not clearly show your dog’s registered name, or the test date is not visible. Resubmit a corrected document from your listing edit page under Account > Listings.
Step 2 Your listing goes live as bookable
Once your required minimum health tests are verified (one genetic panel + one health evaluation and Brucella test), your listing status updates from ‘Pending Verification’ to active and bookable. Until then your listing is visible but cannot receive booking requests.
Step 3 Update health records anytime
As new test results come in, upload them from Account > Listings > Edit Listing. Each new document enters the admin review queue and appears on your listing once approved.
Brucella works the same way but there is nothing to upload. Edit your listing and change the result and the test date. Your listing shows what you reported and how long ago it was, so the only thing that matters is keeping it accurate. If you test again, update it.
4.3 How to Manage an Active Listing
Step 1 Update availability
From your dashboard, go to Account > Listings and toggle availability on or off at any time. If your stud is temporarily unavailable, set him to Paused. Your profile stays visible but you won’t appear in active search results.
Tip: Update availability after every confirmed booking so other buyers see accurate timing.
Step 2 Pause or deactivate a listing
Toggle to Unavailable to hide from search without deleting. Toggle back to Active when ready. To permanently remove a listing, use the Deactivate option from listing settings.
Step 3 Respond to messages promptly
Buyers message through FMSD’s built-in messaging system. You receive email and in-app notifications. Respond within 48 hours – response rate is tracked and displayed on your listing. Fast responders get significantly more bookings.
Tip: Keep all communication on the FMSD platform. On-platform messages create a verifiable record that protects both parties if any issue arises. Off-platform communication is not covered by FMSD protections, dispute resolution, or rebreed enforcement.
Journey 3: For Buyers
5.1 How to Find and Evaluate a Stud
Step 1 Search and filter listings
From the homepage, enter your breed in the search bar or use Browse by Breed. Apply filters: breed, health testing, coat characteristics, genetics, size, and price range. Each listing card shows key details at a glance.
Tip: Filter by ‘Health Verified’ first to see only studs with confirmed documentation.
Step 2 Review the full listing
Click any listing to see the complete profile: all photos, health test results with certificates, pedigree, bio, stud fee, service type, and rebreeding policy. Read the rebreeding policy carefully before reaching out – this is the seller’s terms for what happens if the breeding does not result in pregnancy.
Step 3 Check the health verification badges
Look for the Verified badge and review the specific tests on file. Each test certificate is viewable directly on the listing. The Verified badge means FMSD has reviewed the documentation – always read the actual results yourself and consult your vet.
Tip: If you need to confirm a result, reach out to the seller using the messaging app on the website
Step 4 Save your favorites
Click Save or Favorite on any listing to add it to your shortlist. Compare saved studs from your account dashboard. Shortlist 2-3 options before reaching out – having a backup is strongly recommended.
Tip: Identify a backup stud before your female’s breeding window opens. Timing is critical and unexpected things can come up.
5.2 How to Contact a Seller and Confirm a Breeding
Step 1 Send your first message
Click ‘Contact Owner’ or ‘Message’ on any listing. Introduce yourself, share your female’s breed, what you are looking for in a pairing, and your expected breeding window. The more context you give upfront, the faster the seller can confirm fit and availability. This will also help to get approved faster when you select your ship date!
Tip: Keep all communication on the FMSD platform. On-platform messages create a verifiable record that protects you if any issue arises. Off-platform arrangements are not covered by buyer protection, dispute resolution, or rebreed enforcement. If something goes wrong off-platform – bad semen, no pregnancy, unresponsive seller – you have no recourse. On-platform, you do.
Step 2 Discuss timing and logistics
Use messaging to give the stud owner a heads-up on your expected breeding window and confirm they are available. For chilled semen, coordinate progesterone testing with your vet to confirm ovulation timing before placing a booking. All timing and date coordination is handled through the booking calendar – not through chat. Note that phone numbers and contact information cannot be shared through FMSD messaging.
Tip: Confirm your vet’s availability for AI or TCI before finalizing your booking date with the seller.
Journey 4: How a Transaction Works (Both Sides)
Step 1 Buyer submits a booking request
Who: Buyer action
Once the buyer has identified a stud and has the exact date for shipping/collection, they submit a formal booking request through the platform which includes information on their female. The seller will have notified and the platform will be messaging them continuously through Text and Email. Although rare, we do recommend to have a back-up stud in case the seller declines or is un-responsive. All timing coordination happens explicitly through the booking calendar – not through chat.
Step 2 Seller reviews and accepts
Who: Seller action
The seller receives a notification and reviews the booking request, including the female information. If they have questions, they may reach out to you. Once accepted, the booking is confirmed and locked in. The seller cannot add fees or change terms after acceptance.
Step 3 Buyer pays securely through FMSD
Who: Buyer action
After seller acceptance, the buyer is prompted to pay. The total includes the Standard Collection Fee (set by seller) + stud fee + Transaction fee + The Buyer Protection Fee (applicable taxes per state regulations will be applied). All payments are processed securely through Stripe, which is integrated directly into FMSD. Most buyers will select Individual when setting up their payment account. Cash, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and off-platform payments are not accepted and are not protected.
Tip: Enter your correct shipping address at checkout – this is important. Chilled semen ships to a specific address for a specific date. Typically this is your reproductive vet’s clinic. If your vet is not available on delivery day (such as a Saturday), consider shipping to a UPS or FedEx store for scheduled pickup. Double-check the address before confirming payment. You can save your payment details with LINK for faster checkout on future bookings.
Step 4 Both parties agree to the stud service terms
Who: Both
Before submitting their booking request, the buyer checks two boxes: a Responsible Breeding Agreement confirming their female is healthy, their health information is accurate, and they agree to comply with FMSD’s terms and policies; and a terms and conditions checkbox confirming agreement to FMSD’s platform terms, which include the seller’s breeding terms as stated on the listing. The agreement is stored on the platform and accessible to both parties.
Step 5 Your Payment Is Held Until Delivery
Who: Automatic
FindMyStudDog collects your payment and holds it. It is not released to the stud owner when you pay. Funds are released after the shipment is delivered and a short hold period has passed.
Step 6 Booking a 2nd Shipment
Who: Buyer action after 1st booking!
Many breedings use two shipments. Most buyers know they want a second one straight away, based on progesterone and how the timing works out. If she’s being bred Tuesday, the second usually ships Wednesday for a Thursday insemination.
You can book it as soon as your first booking is confirmed. There’s no approval step, since the stud owner already accepted this breeding.
How to do it: go to your first order and scroll down. You’ll see the option to book a second shipment. Pick your collection date and pay, and the stud owner is notified straight away with the new date.
What you pay: collection cost, shipping, a flat buyer protection fee, and the transaction fee. There’s no second stud fee.
From there it works exactly like the first. The stud owner generates the label when they’re ready, tracking appears on the site, and you get the same updates through delivery.
Book it as early as you can. Second shipments are often next-day, and the sooner the stud owner has the date, the better.
The second shipment must be booked within 7 days of the first shipment date. After that the female is out of her fertile window, so the option closes.
Step 7 Seller collects and ships on the confirmed date
Who: Seller action
Shipping is calculated at checkout, and a Generate Label button appears on the seller’s booking. The stud owner generates the label when they’re ready to ship, so it’s never sitting around days early.
Once generated, they can print it at home, send it to their vet, or scan the QR code at the UPS or FedEx counter. Tracking becomes available on the site automatically from that point, and both sides can follow it.
The stud owner collects on the booking date using accepted veterinary standards and ships overnight on the label provided.
Step 8 Buyer receives and confirms delivery
Who: Buyer action
The shipment is tracked end to end and marked delivered once it reaches the address you provided at checkout. Both you and the stud owner are notified automatically, and if anything goes wrong along the way, a delay, a failed delivery attempt, or a package held at a facility, we let you both know without either of you having to check.
What you do next depends on where you had it sent.
To your vet: confirm they have it as soon as you get the delivery notification. A package can be marked delivered at a clinic and still be sitting at a front desk.
To your home: be there to receive it and get it refrigerated straight away. Chilled semen is time sensitive and every hour at room temperature costs you.
To a UPS or FedEx store: collect it the same day. Most locations hold packages until closing, but don’t leave it overnight.
Step 9 4-day hold period
Who: Automatic
After delivery is confirmed via tracking, FMSD holds the funds for 4 days. This window allows time for delivery confirmation, initial issue reporting, and dispute review if needed. If no dispute is raised, the hold clears automatically – no action required.
Screenshot / GIF: Hold period countdown indicator in transaction dashboard
Step 10 Seller payout and Breeding Outcome
Who: Seller receives
Once the 4-day hold clears with no dispute, FMSD releases the stud fee, and collection cost to the seller minus the Seller Platform Fee. Expect funds in your connected account within 2-5 business days after release.
Who: Buyer action
After the breeding, no action is required from the buyer unless the breeding did not result in pregnancy. If the breeding was successful, the transaction closes automatically – no documentation needed. If the breeding did not result in a pregnancy, submit veterinary documentation within 70 days of insemination to trigger the rebreeding guarantee. No submission means no issue, and silence is treated as a successful outcome.