Breeding questions...how to choose the male?

[sweetest1307]

Well hello everyone, I haven't been on here in a while but I have a few questions to ask about breeding mates.

What age is a male recommended to stop being a stud, does age determine or effect the pups quality and/or the amount of litters he's help produce? How do you determine which male to breed your female with? Are there any signs that will tell you which one she prefers or which male is more interested?

I've bred once before with one of the two males in question & the other male is his son, but this is a different female & my "grandson" & her tried the first time I noticed she was in heat with no success, it's been another year so I'm trying them again but don't know if I should just let his dad do his thing?

Hope all is well with everyone!
~Teresa in Texas
Breeding my Layla (pictured in avatar)

5.7oz Layla Female 2.5 yrs old
4.4oz Cartier Male Dad 3.5 yrs old
5.2oz Dolce Male Son 5 yrs old

[Yorkiemom1]

Thorough and complete knowledge of the pedigrees behind your dogs, for at the very least, 14 generations, determines what dogs will be best bred to prevent genetic issues. You would do well to have the help of a reproductive vet to help determine how well your males/females are producing eggs and sperm, especially if you have already had a failed breeding.

[sweetest1307]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Thorough and complete knowledge of the pedigrees behind your dogs, for at the very least, 14 generations, determines what dogs will be best bred to prevent genetic issues. You would do well to have the help of a reproductive vet to help determine how well your males/females are producing eggs and sperm, especially if you have already had a failed breeding.

The reason the I said the first time was a failed breeding was because Cartier didn't know what he was doing and for 2 days was not able to mount her, so they never actually locked or conceived. Dolce on the other hand I has succeeded before with another female right away, he went to town & knew exactly what he was doing which is how Cartier was born, so I know they have great genetics & no health issues. I just didn't know if age would of been a factor in considering the father of Layla's pups. Cartier has a really good stance and posture and is a little smaller so I was hoping it would be him.

[Micah my love]

If i wanted to raise a litter i would go with the male that you know is healthy and can get the job done, since he was the younger boys dad you may get small babies like him..maybe not but 5 lbs is not big to me...good luck in which ever choice you make

[sweetest1307]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

If i wanted to raise a litter i would go with the male that you know is healthy and can get the job done, since he was the younger boys dad you may get small babies like him..maybe not but 5 lbs is not big to me...good luck in which ever choice you make

Well my female is only 5 lbs herself so she can't have a male larger then herself anyways as it could be harmful to her & the babies.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by sweetest1307

The reason the I said the first time was a failed breeding was because Cartier didn't know what he was doing and for 2 days was not able to mount her, so they never actually locked or conceived. Dolce on the other hand I has succeeded before with another female right away, he went to town & knew exactly what he was doing which is how Cartier was born, so I know they have great genetics & no health issues. I just didn't know if age would of been a factor in considering the father of Layla's pups. Cartier has a really good stance and posture and is a little smaller so I was hoping it would be him.

Good....not a failed breeding, but a failed attempt! Little guy is still learning the ropes...you may have to get down and help him....and of course, THAT takes time for them to adjust to...just like a boy, "I can do it mom, I can do it!!!" Then when they realize a little helping hand never hurt anyone, they will ignore you and let you help.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by sweetest1307

Well my female is only 5 lbs herself so she can't have a male larger then herself anyways as it could be harmful to her & the babies.

This is not accurate....if you are familiar with the dogs BEHIND your male/female, you can have a larger male that has a genetic propensity to throw small dogs....and you can likewise have a tiny male with a line of big dogs behind him, that, when paired with a female that also has a line of big dogs behind her, you can have babies that are larger than both parents. What you arwe looking at on the ground in front of you, is only a very small part of the lineage of that dog....that is why you have to know what is behind the dogs, that is where your liver shunts and bad eyes and hips and legs, large size, etc spring up....little FeeFee and little Bob may be the picture of health, but if FeeFee has a line of dogs, say 7 generations back, that is known to throw bad livers, and as luck would have it, Bob also happens to have some bad livers back in 6-8 generation, you have a problem. Same thing with size.... This knowledge of pedigrees is part of what makes a breeder reputable.

[Yorkiemom1]

You choose which pair of breeding dogs you are going to use, based on the pedigrees behind those dogs. You want the less desirable traits in one dog to be corrected by strong positive traits in the other dog. You have to know your pedigrees!!!!!

[Micah my love]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

This is not accurate....if you are familiar with the dogs BEHIND your male/female, you can have a larger male that has a genetic propensity to throw small dogs....and you can likewise have a tiny male with a line of big dogs behind him, that, when paired with a female that also has a line of big dogs behind her, you can have babies that are larger than both parents. What you arwe looking at on the ground in front of you, is only a very small part of the lineage of that dog....that is why you have to know what is behind the dogs, that is where your liver shunts and bad eyes and hips and legs, large size, etc spring up....little FeeFee and little Bob may be the picture of health, but if FeeFee has a line of dogs, say 7 generations back, that is known to throw bad livers, and as luck would have it, Bob also happens to have some bad livers back in 6-8 generation, you have a problem. Same thing with size.... This knowledge of pedigrees is part of what makes a breeder reputable.

You are very wise

[sweetest1307]

I understand where you all are coming from and what you mean by all that, but when you originally obtain a dog from a reputable breeder how does one obtain linage going that far back? I got Layla from one near the Dallas area and she came with a 3 yr health guarantee & she's in perfect health & never been sick a day in her life. I've already contacted her a while back asking her to let me know when she has a male that has no lineage tied to Layla and she said she'd let men know. She doesn't breed Yorkies often & it's hard to find any reputable breeders down here in South Texas. As far as who I've paired her up with they've never been able to get info further then 3 gens back on his lineage bc they can't locate the breeder from 5 yrs ago & him nor his son have ever had any health issues either. I'm breeding to acquire another Yorkie for him & for myself, I love Layla's look, personality etc & if I could clone her I would! Lol I'm not breeding for profit or anything like that, not looking to be a backyard breeder either. I once had a Yorkie who myself was unknowledgeable at the time on breeders, obtained her from an assumed puppy pill & paid heavily for it & spent a lot keeping her alive after I received her due to genetic health issues. That's when I started to learn and do my research on Yorkies & joined this site and several groups.

[Micah my love]

Originally Posted by sweetest1307

I understand where you all are coming from and what you mean by all that, but when you originally obtain a dog from a reputable breeder how does one obtain linage going that far back? I got Layla from one near the Dallas area and she came with a 3 yr health guarantee & she's in perfect health & never been sick a day in her life. I've already contacted her a while back asking her to let me know when she has a male that has no lineage tied to Layla and she said she'd let men know. She doesn't breed Yorkies often & it's hard to find any reputable breeders down here in South Texas. As far as who I've paired her up with they've never been able to get info further then 3 gens back on his lineage bc they can't locate the breeder from 5 yrs ago & him nor his son have ever had any health issues either. I'm breeding to acquire another Yorkie for him & for myself, I love Layla's look, personality etc & if I could clone her I would! Lol I'm not breeding for profit or anything like that, not looking to be a backyard breeder either. I once had a Yorkie who myself was unknowledgeable at the time on breeders, obtained her from an assumed puppy pill & paid heavily for it & spent a lot keeping her alive after I received her due to genetic health issues. That's when I started to learn and do my research on Yorkies & joined this site and several groups.

You should be able to contact AKC and get a pedigree dated futher back than three yrs...some people are very PC smart and can trace back for generations

[gemy]

Originally Posted by sweetest1307

I understand where you all are coming from and what you mean by all that, but when you originally obtain a dog from a reputable breeder how does one obtain linage going that far back? I got Layla from one near the Dallas area and she came with a 3 yr health guarantee & she's in perfect health & never been sick a day in her life. I've already contacted her a while back asking her to let me know when she has a male that has no lineage tied to Layla and she said she'd let men know. She doesn't breed Yorkies often & it's hard to find any reputable breeders down here in South Texas. As far as who I've paired her up with they've never been able to get info further then 3 gens back on his lineage bc they can't locate the breeder from 5 yrs ago & him nor his son have ever had any health issues either. I'm breeding to acquire another Yorkie for him & for myself, I love Layla's look, personality etc & if I could clone her I would! Lol I'm not breeding for profit or anything like that, not looking to be a backyard breeder either. I once had a Yorkie who myself was unknowledgeable at the time on breeders, obtained her from an assumed puppy pill & paid heavily for it & spent a lot keeping her alive after I received her due to genetic health issues. That's when I started to learn and do my research on Yorkies & joined this site and several groups.

Have you done all the pre breeding testing and screening you should do? PRA HD ED CT. LP BATS



At the minimum you need to this, and to know if it has been done on what-ever sire you want to use.

You also need to know the health lineage from your dam, and potential sire.

In terms of breeding your gal to get just one like her? Problematic at the least. And just what would you do with the other puppies? Are you prepared to offer health guarantees to the prospective future puppy byers?

I would never consider mating my Championed male with a female not championed and had none of the pre requisite tests done.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by sweetest1307

I understand where you all are coming from and what you mean by all that, but when you originally obtain a dog from a reputable breeder how does one obtain linage going that far back? I got Layla from one near the Dallas area and she came with a 3 yr health guarantee & she's in perfect health & never been sick a day in her life. I've already contacted her a while back asking her to let me know when she has a male that has no lineage tied to Layla and she said she'd let men know. She doesn't breed Yorkies often & it's hard to find any reputable breeders down here in South Texas. As far as who I've paired her up with they've never been able to get info further then 3 gens back on his lineage bc they can't locate the breeder from 5 yrs ago & him nor his son have ever had any health issues either. I'm breeding to acquire another Yorkie for him & for myself, I love Layla's look, personality etc & if I could clone her I would! Lol I'm not breeding for profit or anything like that, not looking to be a backyard breeder either. I once had a Yorkie who myself was unknowledgeable at the time on breeders, obtained her from an assumed puppy pill & paid heavily for it & spent a lot keeping her alive after I received her due to genetic health issues. That's when I started to learn and do my research on Yorkies & joined this site and several groups.

Breeding is always risky for the female what would you do if she had complications and died?

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Micah my love

You should be able to contact AKC and get a pedigree dated futher back than three yrs...some people are very PC smart and can trace back for generations

I was going to say I think AKC goes back 5-6 generations...and you can google PEDIGREES and find people that can go back 8-10, 12 generations.
But............now you have all those dogs laid out on paper....do you know the lines? Do you know the INDIVIDUAL dogs?? Do you know what lines or what dogs in particular, may have a propensity to have faults and what those faults are so you do not cross them closely with your other dog you are going to pair with? THIS is what takes YEARS AND YEARS of research and study and "insider information" because you cant just walk up to a breeder and ask "Who throws liver shunts? or Who throws bad legs? or Who has bad eyes?" Until they are able to identify and tag the genes that produce these diseases, this is something breeders know and avoid and work around in their breeding programs. All lines have certain issues, faults....for example, just because you have a dog that you have a genetic marker as throwing bad livers....that dog can be bred with hundreds of other dogs and will never throw a bad liver....but when you cross that dog with another dog that has bad livers back in their pedigree, you run into trouble. This is why "reputable, ethical, knowledgable, breeders (show breeders especially)" absolutely cringe and grimace in agony when they see indescriminate breedings taking place all around us. This is nothing more than Russian Roulette....this is exactly why there is such an increase in faults of all kinds, from simply a coat color/texture, up to liver and heart anomolies/diseases. A complete and thorough knowledge of your dogs pedigrees, is knowing the exact road map to how that dog you are looking at, got on the ground in front of you! People casually throw around the term, "Breeding to better the breed"....well that is truly what those breeders are doing, through precise and intricate combinations of the pedigrees they know sooooooooooo well. They breed out the bad livers and hips and knees and eyes, and develop strong, healthy, gorgeous Yorkies that exemplyfy exactly what the breed standard dictates.