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Strictly for discussion! 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. |
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As far as breeding every Season; some vets are of the opinion/knowledge that the only healthy uterus is a pregnant one. However, a blanket statement of Bitch can be safely bred every other season until the age of 8 is a bit general. Each bitch's health should be taken in to consideration prior to each breeding. The other thing that should be taken into consideration is the breed of the dog. |
I wouldn't consider breeding a bitch past 6 years of age but that is me. I would myself probably retire a bitch from breeding at 5 to 5 1/2. It is my personal belief the bitch has done her job and should spend the rest of her life living as a pet in someone's lap living the life of luxary. I know as a human I wouldn't want to have kids after kids so why would I want to put that on my yorkie? I will breed back to back and then skip a season. I also personally wouldn't let the bitch have more than 4 litters at the most. I feel too much for a toy dog. I, also, believe if the bitch has to have a c-section I would only put her through that twice and not any more than that as I do strive to have free whelpers. This is my thoughts and practices when I do breed. Donna |
Here's the problem...Bitches DO NOT read books...so I never go by the book!!!! There is no age ideal for each bitch IMO..you evaluate the bitch, her size, development, quality and maturity. I feel comfortable breeding 18 mos to 5 yrs...but never to say I would not breed a 6 yrs old..7 is not for me..8 is beyond my thinking...and that is because I want two or three nice litters from bitch and then spay her...my goal is not to see how many litters I can get from a bitch...I spayed a champion bitch at 5 1/2 ...and the vet said there was no reason she could not have two more litters...but I wanted her to be done and she lived the rest of her life as my daughers pet. I have seen bitches who were bred long and often...they are worn out and have given too much physically to live a long retirement life... I feel I owe everything to my bitches..nothing is too good for them...and just because they can be bred does not mean they should..it is up to me to decide wisely what is ethical and humanly right to do for my animals...and non-stop breeding smacks of puppymillers IMO... |
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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. |
Great responses everyone. Just goes to show you that although we use books and other literature as guidance. It stands to reason that not everything you read is to be taken to heart. I myself would not breed a Bitch past the age of 5. I breed twice then let her rest for the next 2 cycles. |
Ann Serrane has been gone a long time...and things change drastically over the years with both canine and human medical practices....I respect many things Ethel Munday told me, but would I apply all today..no... |
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I also agree that seminars, mentors and a good vet are essential to being a good responsible breeder. Yet everytime it is mentioned you always hear the same old tired line of "people being mean or people acting like they are the be all end all of breeding advice." And sadly it is the bitch and pups that suffer. |
Some of the most knowledgable are the most humble...Betty Anne Durrers is one..breed books are great for basic care and history..but I have yet to read one that talks much about actual breeding Yorkies, the do's and don't... I think we learn the most from sharing as breeders...forums and other mentioned ways.. Read an old Doxie book when I first started that helped me so much... My two favorites are "The Standard Book of Dog Breeding"..Dr. ALvin Grossman..that one was advertized for some years in the Yorkshire Terrier mag...and the best hands on breeding book escapes me at the moment...exact title and author...I have recently moved and most books are still boxed...but it is a small brown hard cover I got 20 yrs ago at a dog show from a vendor who bred Terriers...so much indepth practical knowledge..will look for it. |
Canine Reproduction: The Breeders Guide..Phyllis A Holst I looked on Amazon and saw a number of books that looked interesting and indepth compared to most basic Yorkie breed books... |
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Learn the rules well and the reasons behind them and you will know when to break them. |
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