Dog Roses from Seed

I have a couple windbreaks and would like to plant dog roses next to them. I tried growing shrub roses from seed once before without success – despite stratification none germinated. Before trying again I would like to have some idea of how to ensure success – any suggestions?

The seeds are also a favourite food of mice. Mice have an incredible sense of smell and with a high population of them the seeds left outside will all get eaten. We would recommend that you leave them in the fridge (the fridge set not too low!) until they start to germinate, then sow them thickly in a flat that you can protect from mice (e.g. cover completely with 1/4 inch hardware cloth) and prick out into larger pots when the first true leaves have appeared. Sink the pots into the soil for the first winter and plant out in their permanent positions the next spring.
During all this time, never allow the seeds or seedlings to dry out. It is fatal. The plants will do best in a rich, well-draining soil that contains some clay. A mulch applied after the first few hard frosts will protect the seedlings over the winter, but it will be too late in the season for muce to then make their winter home there. Leave the mulch until late summer, but renew not until early winter.
Like all roses, dog roses do best in full sun.