Questions For Experienced Breeders Thanks.

[jrsygal37]

Hi guys. I'd like to ask YT breeders a few questions if I may. I don't want to elaborate right now as to why I'm asking, but could use some input from those experienced and reputable and would greatly appreciate it. I do not know anything about breeding, so please excuse the ignorance in some of my questions. Here it goes; 1. What age should the female be before she is first bred? Is it normal to breed a female at around 16 months? 2. How many cycles a year does she have? 3. Would it be in your eyes alright to breed your female every other cycle and stop after she produces four litters? Would you consider this excess breeding, the norm. or not bred much at all? AND, 3. Have you ever given someone a free or reduced female for breeding rights, in which the female keeps one pup and the rest of the pups are given to the person that gave you the female? 4. Also, how tough is it for the mom? Does she have a tough time each time her pups are taken and are their a lot of medical risks involved with breeding a female another words after her breeding is all said and done - are they at higher risks for say cancer or something else? And, lastly does this change her pet quality in any way? Thanks again for any input you can give me. Elaine

[YorkieRose]

I have bred for over 30 yrs..ther are no hard, fast answers. I take it bitch by bitch. The size and overall frame of the bitch is important for a first breeding..I have no problem breeding at 16 months if all else is good..meaning, is she mature, good weight, settled adn in tip top condition. Most bitches have two sysles per year..some one...I, perfer a once a year cycled bitch..had a number of them and it worked well for me.

Then I go litter by litter...how well did the bitch do, size of litter, ease of whelping...sometimes I breed twice in a row and at other times I skip..some are bred 2 times others 6...just depends on the bitch.
I have never had a female get upset over pups leaving...I do think that can happen with a pet and not those living in groups...my girls were happy to see them weaned and playing with other adults..they were good mothers, but never looked for puppies that left...when I kept one of the their pups they treated them well and it was a family.

Breeders make all kinds of contract agreements when they place a female for breeding...do whatever works for both parties involved...make sure it is in writing.

Lastly, I am not infavor of breeding your beloved pet...my girls are my pets, but for a breeder it is a bit different...I know there are risks and I take them..but some pet owners need medication, therapy when it all goes wrong and they lose puppies or the bitch...known several who couldn't work for a few days...

[jrsygal37]

Thank you, Yorkie Rose. I appreciate your expertise. Elaine

[CO_yorkie_momma]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I have bred for over 30 yrs..ther are no hard, fast answers. I take it bitch by bitch. The size and overall frame of the bitch is important for a first breeding..I have no problem breeding at 16 months if all else is good..meaning, is she mature, good weight, settled adn in tip top condition. Most bitches have two sysles per year..some one...I, perfer a once a year cycled bitch..had a number of them and it worked well for me.

Then I go litter by litter...how well did the bitch do, size of litter, ease of whelping...sometimes I breed twice in a row and at other times I skip..some are bred 2 times others 6...just depends on the bitch.
I have never had a female get upset over pups leaving...I do think that can happen with a pet and not those living in groups...my girls were happy to see them weaned and playing with other adults..they were good mothers, but never looked for puppies that left...when I kept one of the their pups they treated them well and it was a family.

Breeders make all kinds of contract agreements when they place a female for breeding...do whatever works for both parties involved...make sure it is in writing.

Lastly, I am not infavor of breeding your beloved pet...my girls are my pets, but for a breeder it is a bit different...I know there are risks and I take them..but some pet owners need medication, therapy when it all goes wrong and they lose puppies or the bitch...known several who couldn't work for a few days...

I agree and it is very hard to lose a puppy especially when you tube fed it and kept it alive for a couple week and it still dies. I didnt need therapy but it was my first litter and I lost a tiny one that weighed 2 oz when it was born. I honestly think the momma jumped on it and hurt it when she was getting in the the welping box but I will never know for sure. I can tell you I was devastated and I couldnt get it out of my mind. I cried for days and blamed myself but now I know that some puppies arent meant to be. Doesnt mean I wont be devastated again but if you are going to be a breeder than that is one of the things you have to live with. Second is having to let me go after you have raised and loved with so much for 12 weeks or so. I dont know if I will ever be strong enough that I dont bawl like a fool when I have to let them go. I want to keep them all.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by CO_yorkie_momma

I agree and it is very hard to lose a puppy especially when you tube fed it and kept it alive for a couple week and it still dies. I didnt need therapy but it was my first litter and I lost a tiny one that weighed 2 oz when it was born. I honestly think the momma jumped on it and hurt it when she was getting in the the welping box but I will never know for sure. I can tell you I was devastated and I couldnt get it out of my mind. I cried for days and blamed myself but now I know that some puppies arent meant to be. Doesnt mean I wont be devastated again but if you are going to be a breeder than that is one of the things you have to live with. Second is having to let me go after you have raised and loved with so much for 12 weeks or so. I dont know if I will ever be strong enough that I dont bawl like a fool when I have to let them go. I want to keep them all.

I haven't had the misfortune of loosing a pup yet, but I understand it's very traumatic. I ball like a baby when mine leave my house....so, heaven forbid I loose one completely. I'd probably be horrified if I lost my mom....a comlete basket case that would have to be put away. Heck! the first time one of mine went into contractions I started crying.

[bdbmamaw]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I haven't had the misfortune of loosing a pup yet, but I understand it's very traumatic. I ball like a baby when mine leave my house....so, heaven forbid I loose one completely. I'd probably be horrified if I lost my mom....a comlete basket case that would have to be put away. Heck! the first time one of mine went into contractions I started crying.

LOL... love your answer Mardelin! I always cry too when the pups leave. But I have been real lucky with my buyers, as they send me updated pics and all. I have lost one pup at 1 week. It was really hard and I cried for days, but watching the babies grow and go through all the puppy stages is soooo much fun!!!! It far out-weighs any of the negative. (But keep in mind.... breeding and raising pups is A LOT OF WORK and costs!!!! So don't go into it lightly.)

[bobbiej]

It's funny I was just talking to a lady about this today. She's going to go to pieces when her girl has her pups and even worse when she has to give up the pups. Some people just aren't made for breeding. I have over the years developed a knack of loving them, socializing them, playing with them, nursing them and still keep a little part of me detached so it's not so hard to let them go. Also I screen the new owners very well, before I sell. If anything seems out of whack, I back off and sell to someone else!

my last litter before this one, I had 6 pups, 2 little bitty ones and the rest normal size. I lost the little girl, which broke my heart, but managed to save the tiny male. He is now 5 months old and weighs a whopping 1lb 6 ozs as of today. Don't think he's gonnal make it to 2 lbs full grown, but he is healthy and wonderful, and everyone falls in love with him.

I will stud for pick of the litter, but never heard of a whole litter going like that. I also have a very precise contract that both the buyer and seller sign at time of purchase, so there is no misunderstanding on either side.

I usually retire my bitches at about 7 years old. When I do retire them I have them spayed immediately to ward off a lot of health problems in later years. I'm a vet tech so I know what can happen if they are not spayed.

I too sometimes breed each time. Sometimes I skip a couple of cycles. I have one bitch that is born to breed, never has a problem. She is healthy as a horse and has gorgous babies. I get my chocolates from her. So guess the answer is there is no hard fast answer to any of your questions, but hope everyone has helped a little anyway! Good Luck!!

BobbieJ