How old do dogs have to be before you can breed from them?

Answer 1

This is a subjective question that really depends on the breed. Large breeds need to be at least, 3 years old while smaller breeds should be around 2 years old. The age is a serious consideration because the younger the animal the less developed their body systems and bones are. Allowing a 6 or 8 month old puppy breed is the equivalent of an 10 or 11 year old girl having a baby.

Then comes the question of why do you want to breed your female? While I was a breeder for many years I went to a lot of trouble to educate my buyers on how to take care of the puppy they were getting. I also made sure all the puppies in each litter had a home to go to or they stayed with me regardless how many I had at the time. In 22 years no puppy produced from my kennel ever went into an animal shelter.

This is a serious consideration as well, since the average litter for small breeds is 6 and for large breeds is 10. Therefore, breeding because you want "a puppy" from your girl, what are you going to do with the other 5 or 9? Do not depend on friends and neighbors saying they will take one because I can tell you from experience that even when someone has a hefty deposit down on that puppy they may or may not take the dog when the time comes.

Allowing a female to breed can bring up all kinds of deadly health problems in the future that you may or may not want to deal with, from pyrometria (uterine infection) to Breast cancer. All of which can be prevented by spaying your girl before that first heat cycle around 7 to 9 months of age.

Answer 2

At the appropreiate age for a Bitch to breed would be around the age 9-10 months. This is usually where the Bitch, would go into her first heat also allowing the eggs to be fertile.You can tell when the dog is in heat because the bitch will bleed for 1-1.5 weeks. While she is bleeding she cannot bleed but for a week or so afterwards she is ready for breeding I do not think you should breed her right away at that age; only because she is still a pup herself. Allowing the Bitch to breed at the age of 1-2 years will give her the oppertuninty to grow up and to have the proper nutrients for the pups to consume. But be sure to keep a close eye on the Bitch While being in heat. You wouldn't want a stray to come along and mate. Also be sure the Sire of the soon to be pups is the correct size. For the Bitches safety only because if your not carefull the pups could become to large for her a kill her during birth.

Answer 3

First make sure she is healthy enough to breed. She should be checked out by your vet. Also, don't let her breed during her first year. It's the difference between a teenager having a baby and someone in their late twenties.

i agree with above answer, your bitch will be capable of having pups when she has her first season at about 6-7 months but she's still not fully mature herself so wait until she is at least a year, if you don't want pups make sure she is kept away from dogs(including making sure she is not left unattended in the garden etc. as nearby dogs WILL know she's in season and can be quite enterprising in getting to her, she also may try to go looking for them so be careful!) until her season is fully finished.

Answer 4

A bitch will come into season as a puppy, from six months they can be fertile, this can be done but will ruin the development of your bitch. Kennel clubs usually allow pups to be registered from a bitch that is over one year of age. To do so at this time is not always sensible as large breeds of dogs are still developing so I would not breed a bitch until she is on her third heat/season. Another reason for waiting until this time is it lets there hips develop and allow hip scoring to be carried out so that you can give a buyer a pup that is as good as you can give them. Toy and small dogs I dont have or breed so Im not aware of hip problems but most breeds have some problems so allow for problems to show or screen before breeding

Answer 5

To be safe, she should be at least 18 months old.

Answer 6

Don`t breed a female on her first heat,wait until her 2nd heat so that would be 1yr old waiting until her 3rd is best and she should be 1 1/2 yrs old.