troop Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 just wondering what is the oldest you have breed a bitch? i know this has been posted before but i cant find it.just need peoples adive on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogs4Fun Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 One of my long ago pet dogs was an "oops" pup from a 13 year old bitch. Only one pup in the litter. But I wouldn't recommend it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I would think the breed would have to come into the equation...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I'd not breed a bitch past the age of 7 and I'd never consider breeding a bitch even of that age if she'd already produced me what I wanted... If I get what I'm after the first time, that's the end of that :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I think it depends on the breed, the bitch's health, what her history is , how desperate you are to have a litter from her as opposed to risking her health, how experienced you are , and what vet support you have. I have known bitches whelp easily and happily well into double figures ...others who were considered 'too old' at 7/8 years of age. First litters should be done when the bitch is still young - there are dangers with a first pregnancy/whelping with an older bitch :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 It would depend on the breed for me 8 or so would be my cut off for an SBT. I prefer to breed them young ( if they are mature enough ) first season after they turn 12 months, so it would be unlikely. I have no problems at all with breeders using their older bitches, providing they are in good health , have previously whelped easily and are good mothers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freundhund Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 Please don't quote me but I think, trying to find on DogsNSW website that the cut off age for a pedigree bitch is 8 years, for the puppies to be papered as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I believe there is an age past where the canine council will require a vet certificate to say the bitch is healthy enough to be bred, but thats it. The canine council can't stop you breeding a bitch just because it turns a certain age. 8 years is still a good healthy age to breed a bitch in my breed, especially if they have been working all their lives and are in top physical condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bisart Dobes Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I dont' think there is a cut off age - VCA code of practice states - not prior to maturity for that breed, no more that 2 times in 18 months, no more than 6 times in total without vet certificate. Breed clubs were all required to submit maturity age several years ago - our breed is 18 months. Our 7 year old has just had her 2nd litter, she had a full vet work up 4 months prior and has had several vet checks through the whole pregnancy - when ultrasound was done etc etc. Though the vet nearly fell over when I said she was 7 and here I was thinking I was going to get a lecture but she couldn't believe that she was 7, she thought that she looked and felt about 4 years old (and she acts like a 2 year old :D). Though I wouldn't have bred her if there were any health issues, or if she didn't whelp easily the first time or if she wasn't a good mum. I think it entirely depends on the dog themselves and the breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troop Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 :D thanks for your advice everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzchev Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 I bred my Belgian Shepherd bitch for the last time last year and she was 8 years and 8.5 months old when she whelped. She did need a c section but she had needed that for her last litter [of 9] 3 years previous. This was her last litter and she had only had 2 previous litters, 1 litter of 4 pups at 1 year [accidental] then 2nd litter at 5 years and 8.5 months [9 puppies] and then this last litter last year of 5 puppies. Angel is fit as a fiddle and at 8.5 years old could and did jump a 900 mm barrier. Angel does occassionaly train in agility and is one of my most active dogs. It is not unusual for Belgian Shepherd bitches who are 8 and even 9 to be bred from. I must admit that this last litter produced some incredible puppies in both conformation and temperment and it was tempting to repeat the litter. But since I got 3 gorgeous bitches who depending on health checks I can get a puppy from later. I decided not to repeat the litter and Angel will not be mated again. For me it would depend on the health of my bitch, how many times previously they had whelped and how easy it was for them to whelp their puppies as to how old I would decide to mate my bitches. But I am only a small time breeder and breed for myself, if I had gotten what I wanted from the 2nd litter then I would not have bothered mating Angel last year. Thankfully [health checks pending] I got what I wanted [and how ] from Angel's last litter. Hope this helps:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Baggins Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 My girl Wil had her last litter at 8 yr 11m. and as you know people still can not believe she is 15. Her previous litter did not give me the right sex and colour, all blenheims and I wanted a tri. Got the tri girl in the last one. No problems whelping and an excellent mother, actually took on the pups from the hopeless mother who whelped 4 days later, until she found her sealegs. Reckon I would have lost most of the other litter if it had not been for Wil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 (edited) When Bella had her last litter she was 7 when mated, 8 when the pups were born. I did go in to it carefully though speaking to other breeders, and she had a thorough vet check beforehand with my vets who are very experienced in repo matters. She was also very fit from doing agility etc, wouldn't do it with all dogs though - this is a dog who still loves to go out walking all day at 10. Edited June 16, 2010 by helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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