Showing Pregnant Bitch

[poppop]

How far into a bitch's pregnancy would you keep showing her? Assuming she seems happy and up for it, what's the 'best practice' and safest thing to do? I found a thread about how soon after whelping you can show her, but what about during pregnancy?

[SwaY]

I showed my bitch at 4 weeks.

Each bitch and breed would be different, as would what each owner would like to do.

[HOGWARTZBOXERS]

I wont show a pregnant bitch, I would be to worried about them picking something up like a vaginal infection or kennel cough etc etc.

specially in the heat of summer etc.

To many possibilities.

keep her at home and spoil her rotten. Not worth a few points

Hogz

[SwaY]

Do pregnant human woman get infections from going out to shopping centers??

There is a mucus plug to prevent germs entering.

[Bilbo Baggins]

My ruby girl got her first points at 5 weeks pregnant.

This time she retired earlier at 4 weeks because she was fatter.

[Aziah]

I don't show pregnant bitches but as Sway said, it all comes down to the individual bitch, how's she looking and how she's feeling. You could enter a show a month in advance and come show day she could be pot-bellied and not looking her best...

[Dogsfevr]

We dont show pregnant bitches either,not due to infection simply due to drawing the line at some point.

Each to there own & i guess what you are actually to achieve by showing & whether the shows are special or not.

I think no matter what reality is pregnant what ever the species exposure to illness at times can cause issues & the risk each person takes is there own.

[Bisart Dobes]

My first show girl was titled well before she had her first litter - however I did enter her at our Specialty show at 3 weeks and she was fine - she loved it actually and the day after she passed her breed temperament test with flying colours. Wouldn't have done either if she wasn't up to it in any way. Wouldn't bother with all breeds shows but only because my girls and their babies are more important. Would much rather take her for a run somewhere and let her keep fit and enjoy herself more than being at a show .

[WreckitWhippet]

Do pregnant human woman get infections from going out to shopping centers??

There is a mucus plug to prevent germs entering.

I've always shown mine, they are pregnant not disabled. The only time I don't take them out is in the heat.

I stop when it's become obvious that they are

[Jsk]

We dont show bitches in whelp due to possible infections such as KC.

[poppop]

Thank you all so much for your swift replies. It's lovely to have this forum to go to for advice and opinion. My girl is a Grand Ch anyway so it's not for points but more for particular judges - I just wondered as we will be showing our younger dog anyway til the pups are born, then plan to give shows a rest for 6-8 weeks to avoid risk to the pups. That means we miss the Sydney Royal - which I have already spent $82 on - but the pups are far more important than anything else.

Thank you all again.

[Rysup]

I've shown a bitch at 5 1/2 weeks. Coated breed so you could not see it.

I'm not normally showing them once I decide to breed with them, so it doesnt happen much.

[Owned by Shelties]

I don't show mine once I have decided to breed with them....Each to there own though

[hilaryo]

I agree with SBT and Sway.

We show our girls until around 4 or 5 weeks if its an important show.

I do try to keep them away from other dogs and keep noses off the ground but of course the judge checks the mouth so its possible that they could contract Kennel Cough or other nasties transmitted via hands.

[Lowenhart]

We will show up to about 4 weeks - depends on how pregnant the bitch looks and her mood. Some bitches aren't too keen to run around.

Showing bitches when pregnant is a personal thing, just remember you can bring KC (and other stuff) home from the shows with your other dogs and on your person.

[Ratty500]

We didn't Show our bitch both times she was Pregnant But our next mating depends on when shows start next year we might show her a few weeks in and thats it

[angelsun]

My girls absolutely GLOW when they are pregnant, but I can't take them in the ring after a bit over four weeks as they are a sleek short coated breed that looks like hell when they are fat with babies!

Have never had any issues picking anything up at shows as my bitches have strong and health immune systems. I don't wrap my dogs in bubble wrap regardless...mother nature has a nice way of handling things for the most part I think.

[nabs]

I pulled my bitch as soon as I bred her. She is six weeks in whelp now. Hopefully once she has the pups she will bounce back and she will be back in the ring. Way too hot to be showing a preg bitch up here this time of the year. She is happier to be at home in the air cond (although she did try and hide in the trailer when I was packing last week to go to Toowoomba )

To each their own but I in most cases would not show once bred.

[PomsNZ]

I havent in the past, but i am about to show a bitch who MIGHT be...

we are chasing her last CC, so its pretty important, the last time i pulled her out of shows, she wasnt pregnant.

WE are practicing good hygiene with her, she loves going to shows, so she wont be stressed, it wont be too hot for her, and shes coated, and only about 4 weeks, so wont show.

We cant get her US before then, so figure why not.

Id hate to scratch her, to find out shes not, with my luck it would be that way, so this way, if i DO take her, shes BOUND to be, cos no doubt someone will bite my head off about how terrible i am doing it.

[nynka]

I've gone to 5 weeks, but she was starting to get matronly after that. My girls have done very well when they are pregnant as they just bloom.