Olita von Grafental - Page 3

How can that be back to back if they only cycle once a year?  Doesn't that mean they only have 1 litter a year?  To me back to back is every 6 months (2 litter's a year), not once a year. Just asking.

That's where the term "In season" came from, refering to domestic dogs sometimes, but originated from the wolf,
a wolf will only go into heat in the spring time so pups won't freeze to

death, and food is plenti-ful when pups arrive

Actually, they breed over winter, to have the pups in the spring.  Increase in sexual hormone production begins around October, and increased expression of hierarchial behaviors for breeding dominance begin in December.  The "season" begins late December and lasts til late February or early March.  But, usually only the alpha-pair of the pack will mate.

With conflicting proof of health affects, I haven't take a stance either for or against back to back breeding, as each case could differ, depending on the female's constitution.  But, while I have done a couple back to back breedings in the past, I then allowed the following cycle off.

I don't see how, how many bitches you own, makes a difference whether you breed back to back. If a bitch is a nice producer and can handle it, you want to keep breeding her as much as possible, just liek a stud dog so she can make her contribution to the breed. If she is getting on in age, skipping a heat may end her producing career.

If someone titles a bitch to Sch3 and doesn't breed her until 4-5 yrs of age when her trialing days are over, I would not look down at them for breeding her after 6yrs of age as long as she is keeping up well and pups are nice and healthy, good sized at birth. Look at all of the women who aren't having their first children until they are in their 40's and some still popping them out in their 50's. Frankly I think people need to mind their own damn business. Tend to your own dogs and get out and train.

I was just asking why breed back to back if you have more than 1 female? What I meant is lets say you have 5-6 female's. You have enough females to give each dog a break in breeding back to back, what is the reasoning for you not to? Like I stated earlier, I can understand if she is getting up there in age, or the male would not be able to be used again. Like I also stated earlier, that is JMHO. I'm not budding into anyone's business b/c they will and can do what they want. I just personally won't do it, and don't understand why people do, unless what I stated above. Not trying to pick a fight or bud into anyone's business, just trying to understand the reasoning, as it is a good question.

What I have heard from Germans who have been at it a very long time is to breed 2, then off one. It's actually HARDER on the body if you continually breed every other heat. Top condition is of course key, and most Germans keep their dogs in much healthier condition than Americans. A 9yr old bitch in Germany usually looks a hell of a lot better than an American bitch at 9.