How old should my dog be before I breed her?

Answer 1

The best age to breed a dog would be 2 years old. However, there are a few things you need to consider before breeding her.

First, is your dog AKC registered? If not, stop now and do not breed your dog. Even if she is registered through a different registry, she is probably not "good" breeding material.

Next, you must know the pedigree of your dog. If it does not have any champions in it, your pup is probably not worth breeding. Stop right there and do not breed your dog.

Third, check to verify if your dog falls within breed standard set by the AKC. Go to AKC.org and check out your breed. If your dog is in any way out of standard, do not breed her.

Finally, if the dog does have champions in her line,and falls within standards, take your dog into the vet and have her tested for any genetic issues that may cause her to be unfit to breed. If your vet is qualified, have the dog temperment tested also. Temperment is one of the most important attributes in a dog. If she fails any of these tests, do not breed her.

Now for my lecture....Not all dogs should be bred. Breeding takes time, energy, and a lot of money. There are so many dogs in shelters or puppy mills now, that should never have been born or bred. Please think long and hard about the quality of puppy that your dog may produce.

Answer 2

First of all, be sure that you dog is an excellent specimen of her breed, (assessed by professional breeder, not the guys at Petland) healthy (per vet assessment) had any breed appropriate exams (OFA x-rays, eye exams, blood tests for breed-specific disorders, etc) and that you have located and can afford an excellent stud dog for service (equally tested) and that you have a spare 1000 to 1500+ bucks for vet bills--routine stuff like immunizations and suprise stuff like caeserean sections and whelping complications.

Your dog should be full grown. Many are full grown at 12-18 months, larger breeds at 2 years.

Think long and hard before you breed. Make sure you have homes for at least as many pups as that breed commonly has before you do. Make sure that you're willing to go to the expenses that go along with breeding. I bred show dogs and the expense of breeding pretty much makes it a done deal that you'll spend more money than you make breeding plus you now have the added responsibility of finding homes for every dog you don't keep for your own use and be ready to get called at 3 am with things like "Help, Pookie just ate my underwear and threw up!" and other interesting stuff. (real call!) Don't think of breeding if you don't know enough to advise the new owners when stuff happens. If you don't know the age at which a dog of your breed should be bred, I'd advise that you do a little more research before you attempt to breed. It's a lot of responsibility and a lot can go wrong.

Answer 3

If you want an example of a backyard breeder, look no further than Sharon h.

Maybe her dog did cope. More through good luck than good management though. Under 2 years old, a dog may not be showing signs of any genetic problems which would surface later in her life.

Why do you want to breed from her? There are already thousands of dogs destroyed each year because there are more dogs than homes available. What is it about your dog that is special enough to warrant breeding from her?

If you really want to know about breeding, speak to some EXPERIENCED breeders in the breed clubs. Make sure you know what tests need to be done (eg hip scoring). Make sure you know exactly what to do in the event of complications. Do you know what to do when your bi tch is in whelp? Get an experienced mentor, and don't expect to make a profit.

Answer 4

A good rule to go by is breed when she comes into heat for the second time. She will be approximately 1 year old. If dogs are younger than this, there are more complications that can cause still born pups or death for the mother. You should only let her have one litter per year, two at the most to keep her healthy.

Answer 5

Since you're asking the question you obviously know nothing about breeding - nor about looking after a pregnant dog, helping her through whelping, nor how to look after a new-born litter.

Before your dog is bred, she needs to be at least 2 years old, be an excellent example of her breed - both conformation and with a totally stable temperament, have been tested for brucellosis and had every other health check done applicable to her breed.

If she doesn't meet all these criteria she should be spayed, both for her health and to prevent even more unwanted dogs being killed in shelters daily.

Answer 6

Age at breeding

Dogs should not be used for breeding until after two years of age to allow time to see how they mature both physically and mentally.

The female dog should be allowed to attain her adult size before breeding. If bred early, she will put her energy into feeding the unborn/newborn puppies instead of into finishing her growth.

Genetic problems such as seizures and poor temperament may not be apparent until the animal is 2-3 years of age. Animals with such problems should not be bred.

do lots and lots of studing before you breed your animal

Answer 7

i read in one of your answers someone saying about 2 years old and that you do not know a thing about breeding etc etc well i have a boxer and she was 18 mths when she fell preggie her pups are now 12 weeks old and she managed great. People say 2 years old but 18mths is ok and you learn how to look after her it easy. as long as she somewhere warm to sleep i kept mine in house and when she gave birth i had her out in the shed with warm blankets paper etc feed her puppy food when pups are born because there is more high protein etc that she will need while feeding her own wee ones do not handle the pups to much when born as her scent can come of them then she will neglect it is all common sense while breeding.look after her as though it was you hope this helps good luck

Answer 8

I really have no answer to your question and I am going to tell you why.

If you have to ask a question like that you haven't enough knowledge to even own a dog. You need to educate yourself. There are plenty of books out there, get one.

Check out reproduction cycle of dogs on the net. I don't know of any sites off hand but you can learn alot if you go looking for it.

Answer 9

I would think at least a year. They're still growing up to that point. They go into heat every 6 months, so maybe by her 3rd heat. She'd be 1 1/2 by then. I'm not a breeder so these are just my own thoughts.

Answer 10

How old are you and are you prepared to responsibily care for them and make sure that they get good homes. Are they purebreed or "mutts". The more responsible thing would be to think it through and consider all of the homeless dogs, etc. out there that will be euthanized. Yes, they will be put to death because no one wants them. Please consider your decision.