Reality of how often a bitch can be bred? - Page 1

Well, a German Shepherd bitch......can.....be bred four months after they have a litter, they go back in heat like clockwork.  They really shouldn't be bred that often though.

GSDguy - I think you need to have a talk with each of my girls because they (none of them) comeinto heat like clockwork! I have one that comes in every 4 months, one evey 9 months and one ever 6 to 8 months. Most definately not clockwork.

I have heard every other heat is best, then if you do back to back, skip one. But then you have those who breed every heat until she gives 4 /5 litters and spay and rehome them. I would say it must depend on the dog and how much you think you need to breed the dog.

Tina

Minimal health risk??  

 What is the life expectancy of the street dogs where you live??  

Ask a woman where you live how much fun giving birth is and how often she would like to do so, ask about the risk's next time you see a doctor.   Then think to yourself, I am a bitch and how often would I like to give birth.   

There are reason's to reproduce, and there are reasons not too as well.  

Sri you seem like you want to learn all about breeding dogs so listen up.   If you have a bitch worth breeding she is surely worth protecting from stress and harm,  she also deserves a life and should not be treated like a puppy making machine.   If your looking for quality then you must raise a litter to see if your breeding has any merit before you repeat another breeding.   

 I don't care what the paper's say.  Until you see what you have produced you don't know what you have brought into the world.   It takes years to do it right.   

Once per year is a lot if the years add up.  Better to keep an eye on the dogs health and physical condition rather than the calender.  You can breed the best animals money can buy and still come up with crap (flaw's).  Happens all the time.

Dog's in nature do not always breed every cycle.  Sometime's even the sweetest bitch can say no.

Two Moons,

I could not have put it better myself.

Regards Shirl.

And I know reproductive people who say if it has a uterus it should be bred... lots of  heat cycles without  breeding are probably more dangerous and each empty cycle increases your risks of pyometra (uterine infection, which willend a breeding career quicker than you can say ovariohysterctomy! ).

Most really healthy bitches can easily handle a back to back breeding, mine do and they bounce back really quickly.. mine in 2 weeks after pups are off are very close to their normal shape and weight. And a girl in real good shape can often do 3 in a row with a cycle off in between.. it all depends on her and her health and condition and her qualities as a mother..

Remember the condition and health of the mom is most important and then you also must take into consideration.. how she breds, whelps and cares for her babies and what they are like.

It's not ever a cut and dry formula like making cupcakes!!

They live for a round 8 years. Anyways, i just asked coz i like to know what others think.

One of the best known k9 repro gurus in the US, Dr. Hutchison, feels that bitches can safely be bred every season. If the owner doesn't want to do that, he recommends the use of Cheque Drops to keep her from coming into season and shedding unused eggs until you are ready for another litter.  All bitches are born with a limited number of eggs and the supply is not replenished as they are spent.

If you google his name you can find several web sites that publish some of his interviews and seminars.  You can also purchase DVD's from his web site. Hutchison is also an expert on frozen semen implants and repro issues in dog.

Do you mean your dogs live for "around 8 years"? I  hope I misunderstood that.

I think he meant the street dogs live for around 8 years - that is probably accurate anywhere (if that) and I believe he lives in India, which I would imagine would not be an easy place for street dogs to survive to old age.

The repro specialists I have worked with over the years (Dr. Hutchison is one) believe that breeding a healthy female every heat cycle is the best for them - that is only considering the condition of the female - if she is not in excellent condition (ie in good coat, weight, condition, able to whelp naturally, produce milk and care for puppies well on her own) then she should get a break.  But if she is in excellent condition then breed her every heat.  It is up to the breeder to determine if the female is in breeding condition or needs a break, also when she needs to be retired (and spayed) - the welfare and health/wellbeing of the female should be top priority at all times - and also if the puppies can be sold or not.

molly

My bitches best be on the streets making $ evry night.