We were going to breed our show quality Sheltie but not until she was around 2. She is 10 months and while I was on vacation, she went into heat and the petsitter unknowingly left her with a 8 month old male. Could he get her pregnant at his age? How dangerous is it for her to get pregnant at this age? We will take her to the vet in a few weeks to see if he can feel puppies or maybe do an x-ray. My main question is though can a 8 month old male dog get a 10 month old female dog pregnant? Luckily, he is a very sweet show quality Sheltie as well but it doesn't stop me from worrying 'cause she is awfully young to have a litter. We already have a list of people who want to buy pups from her so that isn't an issue.
2007-03-23 02:50:44 · 8 answers · asked by SHELTIELUVER 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yep-it can happen at those ages. 10 months is way too young for your female to have pups. Vets can abort litters. At this age its hard to determine if a dog is show quality or not. Has a show judge evaluated your pups or is it a personal opinion that your dogs are of show quality? Genetic health testing still needs to be done on show dogs to make sure there are no unseen genetic health problems that can be passed on through breeding. These tests cannot be done until dogs are at least 2 years old.
2007-03-23 02:58:38 · answer #1 · answered by W. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yup, an 8 month old male can get a female pregnant.
Rather than waiting til you can feel puppies, you should take her in now and abort the litter. She is a little baby, far too young to produce a litter. Not only on her body but on her whole personality. I have seen people with real screw ball dogs, just cause they bred them far too young. She isn't mentally or physically matured to care for a litter.
You might even end up having to raise (handfeed ) them all yourself. You want to get up every 2 hours and be home all day long feeding puppies every two hours for a couple of weeks? Can't quit there, gotta keep feeding them til they are ready to be weaned.
2007-03-23 02:57:05 · answer #2 · answered by DP 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they can breed at that age. It's not especially dangerous if she's in good health and well supported, but the chance of mishap is higher than with an older dog. Consult with your veterinarian for more details about nutrition and signs of possible trouble to look for.
Bear in mind, even if both parents are 'show quality' you might not be able to show or register the puppies if the mating cannot be confirmed. (I don't know if they accept DNA testing.)
2007-03-23 03:02:14 · answer #3 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, she can get pregnant at that age. Yes an 8 month old dog would be able to impregnate her. Go ahead and contact the vet, but I don't think there's any danger for her. Although it is a little ahead of your plans, it should work out fine.
2007-03-23 02:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he is of the age to get your dog pregnant. Now that doesn't mean that he was successful so your doing the right thing by taking her to the vets to make sure.
Follow his or her instructions and all will work out.
2007-03-23 02:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a feeling he could have, but this is something to consult your vet about, now, not in a few weeks. i would ask what the risks are to such a young female having puppies, find out what their advice is. at least they are both show quality!
2007-03-23 02:55:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could if she was interested. the only way to tell is wait or go to the vet
2007-03-23 02:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by mncltrr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he can get her pregnant, she is a little young, her bones haven't finished growing
2007-03-23 03:37:14 · answer #8 · answered by Shiv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋