How Old Should I Wait To Breed My Dog?
1. No dog should be bred until at least the age of 2 years old. 2. Ask you vet about the health test that need to be done on your breed of dog as well. Hips are a must if you are going to breed. I am sure there are other health test to be done on a hunting dog. Eye possibly. Health testing before breeding is VERY important. You do not want to pass bad things on to other dogs. Hips can show no signs of problems until much later in life so the hip test is VERY important. 3. Make sure the male is also hip tested and had all the health test done. Research, research research!!! You need to have everything ready BEFORE you breed. Whelping box, Proper nutrition, emergency money just in case (at least 2000.00) Bottles, heating pads, scale. These are just a few of the many things you are going to need. Breeding is not just putting two dogs together and having pups it is a 24/7 job. Good luck Added: To Lacey: I am only pointing this out because if he is going to breed the dog it should be done r
I won’t say anything against breeding seeing as you said she is a working and show dog (Do you have papers to prove it though? Titles earned?) – i would however suggest that you have her go through some genetic tests to prove that she has no problems she could pass on to her pups… i would see if the stud dog has had the same done. Most genetic tests cannot be done until two years of age and some i believe need to be repeated yearly – you should also have her (and the stud) tested for doggy STDs and have the vet check their general health before mating. Dogs should not be bred until they reach two years of age. That is when their bodies are pretty much done maturing and they have the proper “mind set” (IE are no longer pups themselves) to carry and whelp a litter of puppies. I would work out a plan right now as to when you want to breed her, how to get the money for fees and emergency fees, how you are going to advertise the puppies, how to screen potential homes, what benefits you’ll
A dog should atleast be 2 years old before you breed her. Just because your dog has had 2 heat cycles, doesnt necesserily means she’s ready. Its kinda like a 12 year old girl starting her menstrual cycle. She will go through that cycle for the rest of her life (like a dog) but at age 12, doesnt mean she’s ready for sex and a baby. Both the dog and 12 year old hasnt reach sexual maturity, there insides arent fully mature. Your dog is still a puppy at 10 months old. I found a website that could answere most of your questions.
