Resting a Female - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BamaFan121s · 02-19-2008, 05:38 AM

I'm looking for some input from some other breeders and food for thought regarding resting breeding females. In your opinion(s) for what amount of time between litters should you rest your female...in incriments of time, not just 'skipping' heats. Do you believe it's possible to rest your female too long making breeding again unsafe?
I've run into some conflicting information regarding this recently and am interested to get everyone's opinion on this.

Sugar's Mom · 02-19-2008, 06:08 AM

yes, I do think resting too long between heats can hurt the female. I have no research to back that up. I know the latest stuff going around at seminars is not to rest your bitch at all that she will know when it's time to quit. But I don't agree with this at all. Poor little dogs and I have never actually read the seminar notes on it but it was told to me by someone that attended one. i have only been breeding a few years but the way i do it is breed two (if the bitch is in good shape) and skip one which i know is not what you are looking for but it averages to my girls having only one litter per year so that is a pretty good rest and when they near that five year mark, they are thoroughly vet checked before breeding and will be retired at five even if they are in good shape.

BamaFan121s · 02-19-2008, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

I know the latest stuff going around at seminars is not to rest your bitch at all that she will know when it's time to quit. But I don't agree with this at all.

Yikes!

Poor girls! No, I don't at all agree with that either.

I know there are many who breed 2 heats, rest one. I prefer one on, one off....simply because I need more time to rest between litters than that!

EmrldShdwQueen · 02-19-2008, 07:46 AM

I think it depends on the dog really...but personally I could never see breeding a girl heat after heat after heat.

I did breed Brooke and Kayla on their next heats, but they didn't have another one for almost 10 months, so their litters were almost a year apart.

I would probably do the 2 litters and skip method on certain girls, just depends on how many they had and how well they did with the birth, etc. My dogs don't go in on a schedule, they just do it whenever they want to...but I couldn't see breeding every 6 months for 4 years...that's just too much on the mommy in my opinion.

Probably there are health risks to say...breeding on 2nd or 3rd heat at 2 years, then waiting until they're 4 years before breeding them again. That may be too much time and scar tissue may build up. I know about the seminars, I know people who have been to them. That's what they're saying...that NOT breeding them every heat can cause complications. Until I see proof, I'm not sure what I believe.

tiggerr36792 · 02-19-2008, 07:52 AM

I have heard that skipping a heat isnt necessary they will do it on their own. I can't say I agree with it and I usually breed twice and skip once. IMO it really depends on the females over all health and how well they bounce back after the litter. I think that if you know your females well then you should know what is best for her.

bjh · 02-19-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

yes, I do think resting too long between heats can hurt the female. I have no research to back that up. I know the latest stuff going around at seminars is not to rest your bitch at all that she will know when it's time to quit. But I don't agree with this at all. Poor little dogs and I have never actually read the seminar notes on it but it was told to me by someone that attended one. i have only been breeding a few years but the way i do it is breed two (if the bitch is in good shape) and skip one which i know is not what you are looking for but it averages to my girls having only one litter per year so that is a pretty good rest and when they near that five year mark, they are thoroughly vet checked before breeding and will be retired at five even if they are in good shape.

I agree with what you say and believe that it is perfectly acceptable. Also, I must point out that females that are not bred when they come in heat are more susceptible to getting pymetrea.

lisatodd · 02-19-2008, 07:57 AM

i like to do two and then skip.

like what dee stated, there is an article out there (i have to find it) that states it is best to breed every cycle then retire the bitch early. i cannot see myself doing this. if i can find the article, i will post it. the article states the reason for doing this method and why it is best.

BamaFan121s · 02-19-2008, 08:06 AM

Hmm...whether or not to skip heats and how many really wasn't what I was wondering...

Heat cycles aside, as far as TIME, what do you consider too little time between heats before breeding the bitch again? What do you consider as too long between breeding that the female should not be bred again? Do the amounts of time differ depending on the girls age? Depending on how the previous litters went?

bjh · 02-19-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Hmm...whether or not to skip heats and how many really wasn't what I was wondering...

Heat cycles aside, as far as TIME, what do you consider too little time between heats before breeding the bitch again? What do you consider as too long between breeding that the female should not be bred again? Do the amounts of time differ depending on the girls age? Depending on how the previous litters went?

Bitches can come in heat every 6 months to every 12 months or longer. If you breed every other heat then you would be breeding anywhere from one year up to 18 months or longer between breedings. I think 1 year between breedings is sufficient. JMOO

011011 · 02-19-2008, 09:59 AM

I breed 2 then skip,but that depends on how often is their cycle ,how many pups she had,did we have problems whelping,was there a c section did mom bounce back with no issues is she too thin etc.
I know a breeder who says her VET said to breed every heat till they are 6 then spay.
My vet does not agree with that.
I have one that is every 8 months and one every 6 for a heat cycle,every 6 seems to much of a drain on them ,for they are bred 9 weeks gestaiton and 5-7 weeks nursing then they are in heat again in a month and a half or so.
So my female that comes every 6 months I breed then skip.

BamaFan121s · 02-19-2008, 10:06 AM

Thanks for the replies. Just curious as to everyone else's take on this as I have recently run into opinions that it's the heat and nothing else that should be the determining factor...be it skipping 6 months or 2 years. So I got to wondering what others consider as "too soon" and "too long" to risk it.

Brooklynn · 02-19-2008, 10:49 AM

Depends on the bitch....I normally breed then skip or breed back to back then skip. I NEVER BREED every heat cycle NEVER NEVER NEVER!!! My Cammie is going to be 5 in April and she's had one litter I bred her back to back but it didn't take so I'll breed her again when she comes into season so that means this past cycle was skipped but on that note this will be her last litter due to being 5 and having a section for one of the two puppies she had back last year.
I do however prefer to breed then skip but with Cammie and her age I did a back to back breeding which didn't take.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

JaLaYorkieGirl · 02-19-2008, 11:24 AM

I do not think there can be a hard and fast set rule for when to breed. It is going to depend on each female, how long between cycles, how many puppies she had, c-section?...etc...

Venus had her first litter at over 2 years old, everything was perfect...bred her again next heat, and now we just skipped a cycle. She is in great shape and probably could have had a litter without problems physically...but I think mentally and emotionally we both needed a break.

Espe had her first litter at 2.5 years old, she was ill the last week of pregnancy and went into labor early...we will skip her next cycle...allow her body to recoup and then probably try again. Just depends on how she is when she comes into heat...her puppies are 8 weeks old now and Espe is happy to be back in my bed with me at night..lol.

bjh · 02-19-2008, 11:41 AM

Another reason it is good to breed and then skip after the first litter is because that gives you more time to evaluate the litter and determine if it was a good breeding or not. Sometimes, genetic problems might not show up until the puppies are over 6 months old and other issues like coat and conformation issues cannot be determined until the puppies are older. You would not want to repeat a not so good breeding.

Susan123 · 02-19-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

I agree with what you say and believe that it is perfectly acceptable. Also, I must point out that females that are not bred when they come in heat are more susceptible to getting pymetrea.

This is the reason I've heard for breeding 3 times and spaying.

02-19-2008, 05:38 AM	#1
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Resting a Female I'm looking for some input from some other breeders and food for thought regarding resting breeding females. In your opinion(s) for what amount of time between litters should you rest your female...in incriments of time, not just 'skipping' heats. Do you believe it's possible to rest your female too long making breeding again unsafe? I've run into some conflicting information regarding this recently and am interested to get everyone's opinion on this.

02-19-2008, 07:57 AM	#7
lisatodd Little Boogers Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: virginia beach, va Posts: 4,460	i like to do two and then skip. like what dee stated, there is an article out there (i have to find it) that states it is best to breed every cycle then retire the bitch early. i cannot see myself doing this. if i can find the article, i will post it. the article states the reason for doing this method and why it is best. __________________ lisa lisa and the cult jam yorkies

02-19-2008, 09:59 AM	#10
011011 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 1,432	I breed 2 then skip,but that depends on how often is their cycle ,how many pups she had,did we have problems whelping,was there a c section did mom bounce back with no issues is she too thin etc. I know a breeder who says her VET said to breed every heat till they are 6 then spay. My vet does not agree with that. I have one that is every 8 months and one every 6 for a heat cycle,every 6 seems to much of a drain on them ,for they are bred 9 weeks gestaiton and 5-7 weeks nursing then they are in heat again in a month and a half or so. So my female that comes every 6 months I breed then skip. Last edited by 011011; 02-19-2008 at 10:01 AM.

02-19-2008, 10:49 AM	#12
Brooklynn Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 4,280	Depends on the bitch....I normally breed then skip or breed back to back then skip. I NEVER BREED every heat cycle NEVER NEVER NEVER!!! My Cammie is going to be 5 in April and she's had one litter I bred her back to back but it didn't take so I'll breed her again when she comes into season so that means this past cycle was skipped but on that note this will be her last litter due to being 5 and having a section for one of the two puppies she had back last year. I do however prefer to breed then skip but with Cammie and her age I did a back to back breeding which didn't take. Donna Bird Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers __________________ Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers www.brooklynnyorkies.com

02-19-2008, 11:24 AM	#13
JaLaYorkieGirl YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,079	I do not think there can be a hard and fast set rule for when to breed. It is going to depend on each female, how long between cycles, how many puppies she had, c-section?...etc... Venus had her first litter at over 2 years old, everything was perfect...bred her again next heat, and now we just skipped a cycle. She is in great shape and probably could have had a litter without problems physically...but I think mentally and emotionally we both needed a break. Espe had her first litter at 2.5 years old, she was ill the last week of pregnancy and went into labor early...we will skip her next cycle...allow her body to recoup and then probably try again. Just depends on how she is when she comes into heat...her puppies are 8 weeks old now and Espe is happy to be back in my bed with me at night..lol. __________________ Jackie JaLa Yorkshire Terriers

02-19-2008, 06:08 AM	#2
Sugar's Mom BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9,248	yes, I do think resting too long between heats can hurt the female. I have no research to back that up. I know the latest stuff going around at seminars is not to rest your bitch at all that she will know when it's time to quit. But I don't agree with this at all. Poor little dogs and I have never actually read the seminar notes on it but it was told to me by someone that attended one. i have only been breeding a few years but the way i do it is breed two (if the bitch is in good shape) and skip one which i know is not what you are looking for but it averages to my girls having only one litter per year so that is a pretty good rest and when they near that five year mark, they are thoroughly vet checked before breeding and will be retired at five even if they are in good shape.

02-19-2008, 07:46 AM	#4
EmrldShdwQueen No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,987	I think it depends on the dog really...but personally I could never see breeding a girl heat after heat after heat. I did breed Brooke and Kayla on their next heats, but they didn't have another one for almost 10 months, so their litters were almost a year apart. I would probably do the 2 litters and skip method on certain girls, just depends on how many they had and how well they did with the birth, etc. My dogs don't go in on a schedule, they just do it whenever they want to...but I couldn't see breeding every 6 months for 4 years...that's just too much on the mommy in my opinion. Probably there are health risks to say...breeding on 2nd or 3rd heat at 2 years, then waiting until they're 4 years before breeding them again. That may be too much time and scar tissue may build up. I know about the seminars, I know people who have been to them. That's what they're saying...that NOT breeding them every heat can cause complications. Until I see proof, I'm not sure what I believe.

02-19-2008, 07:52 AM	#5
tiggerr36792 BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: California Posts: 6,685 Blog Entries: 1	I have heard that skipping a heat isnt necessary they will do it on their own. I can't say I agree with it and I usually breed twice and skip once. IMO it really depends on the females over all health and how well they bounce back after the litter. I think that if you know your females well then you should know what is best for her.

02-19-2008, 08:06 AM	#8
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Hmm...whether or not to skip heats and how many really wasn't what I was wondering... Heat cycles aside, as far as TIME, what do you consider too little time between heats before breeding the bitch again? What do you consider as too long between breeding that the female should not be bred again? Do the amounts of time differ depending on the girls age? Depending on how the previous litters went?

02-19-2008, 10:06 AM	#11
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	Thanks for the replies. Just curious as to everyone else's take on this as I have recently run into opinions that it's the heat and nothing else that should be the determining factor...be it skipping 6 months or 2 years. So I got to wondering what others consider as "too soon" and "too long" to risk it.

02-19-2008, 11:41 AM	#14
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Another reason it is good to breed and then skip after the first litter is because that gives you more time to evaluate the litter and determine if it was a good breeding or not. Sometimes, genetic problems might not show up until the puppies are over 6 months old and other issues like coat and conformation issues cannot be determined until the puppies are older. You would not want to repeat a not so good breeding.