Breeding Question - Page 1

I have been told several things about how long to wait in between breedings.  I have been told to skip a cycle, breed 2 cycles then skip one, and have also been told if she only had one pup you can breed the next cycle.  I really want to know what is best for my dog. 

How do you breed your female (one cycle skip after every breeding, 2 breedings then skip one cycle, ect)?

I waited a year and half before this breeding and she only had one pup.  I want to breed again and was going to wait till next year but would it be alright for her to breed on her next cycle without skipping one?

Thanks for your help.

Depends on your bitch, and her health foremost.
Also consider your motives for breeding in the first place.
I personally do not like to see a bitch bred cycle after cycle, altho many do this.
I would try to figure out why you only had one pup.
At best I would want to know I was producing healthy animals that have a purpose and a future.

As she only had one pup I am sure it would be absolutely fine to breed her on the next cycle, assuming of course that she is in good health and has interval of 6 months between cycles.

With only one pup in the litter I'd want to do a vaginal culture to be sure there's no issues there, also if you own the male, you could do a motility test on his semen to be sure that it's viable.  If there's plenty of active sperm then you know that it is likely the female.  If the motitilty is low then you should perhaps consider a different male.  (If you're determined to have this particular male then there's a question of how often he's used. If it's never, or infrequently you might draw semen a week to 10 days prior to this breeding to get newer more active sperm into play).  You could also do tests to determine where in her cycle the bitch is, not every one cycles exactly the same. I had one years ago that we had difficulty breeding who turned out to have her prime day on day 14 of the cycle rather than day 11 as most do...  We took her to several males and missed before we realized that it was just too early in the  cycle for her.

Windwalker, I amnot a breeder so I ask why couldn't you just breed on the 11 and on the 15th day?

Progesterone testing is the most reliable way to determine ovulation and any problems that may be occurring .. there are a couple of other tests.. brucellosis, culture and sensitivity to check for mycoplasma and other critters that affect the reproductive systems.....
Along with stud dog testing ....

A reproductive specialist is a breeders best investment

I agree to check for reason as to why such a small litter.

However, as to the question at hand; If she is in good health and weight, I would possibly breed her on the next cycle if she did go a full 6 months (as Oso said).

Does she, by chance, go every 3-4 months into season? I have heard this type of cycling is known for issues reproducing. Either they don't take at all or have very small litters. This is not always true, but typically is the general case.

Also, I agree with Windwalker that she could have been bred too late or too early. I would have her tested next cycle to see what her prime day is.

Thanks to all those who replied. 

I was asking because I know she was breed way too late.  I left her with a friend while I was sent for training for the Army.  I told her to take her to the stud on specific days because she has never breed before.  My friend didn't think she was ready so she took her 4 days later than the first day I told her.  She was coming out of season.

I am breeding to enhance the working abilities of my lines.  I am using an outside male.  I have several people on a waiting that want my dogs in my area.  1 will go to a Schutzhund home, 1 to a SAR home and 3 to a security company for detection work.  I will also keep 2, depending on the litter size.

My female's health is great.  She has been checked regularly by my vet and is always on time with shots.  I have never had any issues with her.  She is great.  She just had her 3rd b-day on the 25th of Sept.  She'll run, work, and play all day.  

Her heat cycle is every 4 months.  Why would this be different than a dog who goes every 6 months if you are breeding the next cycle?

Actually, despite what I said before I would breed her anyway as she is healthy. I have a female who cycles every 3-4 months. She is 5 and a half and has had three litters, each time with 4 puppies. Two of these were back to back and she had no health problems. After that we missed cycles because we did not want to interrupt her training and since then her heat cycles have become even more frequent and the last few times we tried she did not get pregnant. I think with this female you may have a better chance now than later on. Good luck.

Breed her if she is healthy and obviously your vet has seen her regularly....But do the pregesto tests and be sure you get her on the proper days....very simple...and if you use the same stud again...Please ask  nicely if the owner will do a sperm check on him....nothing to it and is very inexpensive and will all know that he is not the problem if such should arise again...\ Back to back breedings if you have  a healthy female with not off cycles, and she is a good whelper, will only give you the best kinds of litters.. If you only want two litters from her that will be fine..You may have need of another litter in a year and that would be ok too...as long as her health remains tip top...Any cycle problems or other would limit you and would not want to breed that kind of female.....genetics are important ..the female lends to pups 70% of her genetic field so she is a very important of the equation...
 

YR
YR