Maximum Age for Breeding a Maiden Bitch - Page 1

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by GSCat on 17 May 2020 - 02:05

What is the recommended maximum age for breeding a maiden bitch? Czech working line German Shepherd Dog.

Thank you, in advance.

Western Rider

by Western Rider on 17 May 2020 - 03:05

I prefer 5 as the cut off   I have bred at 6.5 and everything was fine


by GSCat on 23 May 2020 - 20:05

WesternRider--thank you :-)

Jyl

by Jyl on 27 May 2020 - 16:05

I agree... I wouldn’t breed a maiden bitch past 6 or so... just my preference. As long as she is healthy..

My current dog I have his breeder just bred his dam, who is 10 years old... this must be her 8th or 9th litter.. I’m not ok with that.


Q Man

by Q Man on 28 May 2020 - 09:05

You can generalize but in fact it all depends on the female itself...To be bred later in life all depends on her health...and even then being older can still offer some problems...
I have bred a female at 7 yrs of age but I am basically with the others and 6 would be a good cut off age...

~Bob~

by Nans gsd on 28 May 2020 - 13:05

Really depends on the bitch; health, health certificates, etc. also her previous if any whelping history; did she have an easy time, trouble, C-section, her recuperation time. Among other things. Good luck.

 

Sorry I did not see she has not been bred before, certainly not over 6-7 years old, have done it and did regret it.  Very hard on older bitches even in good health.  Especially a maiden bitch.  


TIG

by TIG on 31 May 2020 - 05:05

Not only her health but the reproductive history of her mother, grandmother. How old were they, did they have easy whelps etc. Took a chance and bred a maiden bitch at 8.5 cause I knew her grandmother had her 2nd litter at that age with no problems and also that I had good healthy longevity in those lines - most living to 13 -14 so 7-8 for this line was middle age where 5 might be for lines that average only 10 years life span ( and there are a lot of them).

The bitch conceived 5-6 pups but reabsorbed all but one by whelping date. But a good one strong & healthy. The re absorption may have NOT been due to age there were other stress factors as well. I bred her and literally a week later ended up having to move across country so popped her in the u haul and off we went.

But also keep in mind that breeding a bitch at any age carries risks and those risks generally increase with age. Consider her weight, musculature, food efficiemcy, energy level. You may want to have her thyroid levels checked to make sure they are in normal range - do either the Michigan or Dodds panel that includes the TSH. If there are any thyroid issues you well may have to medicate b4 breeding to well after whelping or consider not breeding because thyroid has a huge role in reproductive health AND the maintenence of pregnancy. Has she always had good regular heats without any issues? Short cyclers often have more problems, it's like their bodies don't have sufficient recovery time..

Let us know your decision and the outcome.


by GSCat on 02 June 2020 - 01:06

Thank you, Western Rider, Jyl, Q Man, Nans gsd, and TIG.

I'd like to preserve my bitch's lines and have identified a couple of studs that would be good choices for line breeding and breed/line improvement/maintenance, but there's some logistical things that have to be overcome before I can breed her. Based on the answers you kindly provided, I still have time :-)

I've talked to the breeder I got her from (extremely good reputation/puppies) and she recommended against artificial insemination for a maiden bitch, so there will be significant travel involved.

. . . and, before I get ahead of myself, hips, elbows, DM, etc.

Thank you, again.


Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 02 June 2020 - 03:06

Good luck GSCat. Curious as to why the breeder does not recommend AI for (your / any ?) maiden bitch. Would have thought especially for an older female who hasn't had pups and so, presumably, has not had many - if any - attempts at physical mating prior, the injection of sperm might be less 'traumatic' (if one can use that description) ? I am an innocent in matters of using AI, so am intrigued by this.

by GSCat on 02 June 2020 - 06:06

The breeder said there was a higher possibility of a maiden bitch than a previously bred bitch absorbing the puppies since she had not been with a stud.

If it wouldn't make a difference, the logistics would be a lot easier and there would be a larger pool of studs with what I'm looking for to choose from.

 


 






 


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