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Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007  I decided to start a discussion on the age of a breeding female.
Here goes, I know alot of breeders have the book "The Joy of Breeding your own show dog" Well I was reading it again for the hundredth time and came across something very interesting. On page 95 it says this. " The Average Bitch can safely be bred every other season until seven or eight years of age." Now I know that it's been said numerous times that a bitch should not be bred after the age of 5 years. So what are your thoughts on this. |
I have this book, too, and consider it an invaluable resource. It is, however, a 30 year old book and thinking and knowledge has evolved.
One other thing I noticed in the book is the recommendation to vaccinate a bitch prior to whelping. On page 99, it says, "She should be given an immunization booster of DHL (distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis) if more than six months will have elapsed since her last one and the time she will be due to whelp."
Now, in 2010, we know of the risks of over-vaccination and also that the duration of immunity is much longer than previously thought (except in the case of lepto, which is 6 months, but most don't now give lepto to Yorkies).
I think any breeder has to seek out info from as many sources as possible, realizing that some general statements can be said but that each bitch and each whelp are unique and that must be factored in to all decisions made.
Sorry to go off topic a bit, but wanted to give another example of something that not many would hold to today. All in all, though, it's a great book.