Breeding frequency - Page 2

This is good information.

Although I am not a breeder, I often wonder about such things.

I'll leave the breeding the professionals.

Thanks for being there when I need a good GSD...

I had one litter from a female who was turning 9 years old--I had wanted a female from her previous litter to carry on, but she had 7 males, so I bred her one last time. She's now 14 years, 6 months old and has no major health issues--other than being old.

If I were to go back in time and make that decision again--I might make a different decision. But I don't believe her health or her quality of life were affected by that last litter.

Christine

Here's a link to a discussion by Dr. Hutchinson, one of the most experienced canine repro vets in the United States.

http://www.doghobbyist.com/CanineRepro.html

This next discussion is in a little easier to follow format.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=1224

Christine

Very nice info, i truly apprciate your impressive thought about this topic.

when i breed , i usually miss a cycle in between, i feel this is the best way to do it. 

i also just had a litter of puppies and the mom just turn 9 years in dec, this is her last litter , but i wanted to get a female from her, if you see her now at  12 days after whelp you would not believe she has pups, she had 5 pups and 4 lived and are doing very well.

 this female cause she did well , never needed any oxy , but i could tell it was a harder labor, but there are a few that  are still in great shape at her age, i should also mention that her mothers lines live to  be 15-17 years. so she comes from some very long living lines. Gentics plays a big part on how long you can breed the female for .

i would not breed before 2 years old.

I will say something which may stir a pot.  Vets are fellable humans with their flaws and  have business to run and family to support. Thus they, in order to avoid any controversy,  will often be PC true or not so much true. 
 For example most vets will paint you worse picture about sick dog in order for you  to be happy if the dog lives longer or get well sooner. 
They will also often tell you expected PC answer like do not breed dog back to back because that is what 99% of people expect to hear. I do not blame them for this if it is harmless as this is.  But I would always keep this  in mind when you hear  such answer.   
Prager Hans

This is a bit OT, but I have found most vets are ignorant about working line gsd's, are scared of gsd's...and unless they are "dog persons" know very little about dogs...so I agree that their answers may be PC most times. They can only handle labradors and toy breeds with any comfort. end of rant..

Tend to agree with Guddu, save that its all gsds, not just
WL, i.m.e.
The other thing I've noticed is that you seldom find a vet
who is clearly caught up with scientific research and
opinion papers, so while the veterinary academics are
proposing that back to back is physically better for bitches,
your High St / small town vet is happily continuing with
what the punters want to be told and/or what brings in
more custom.

In the past when breeding  Dobermans and then later cocker spaniels before having  a GSD i always starated the firs breeding on the dam's 3rd heat cyle and skipped a cycle in between the dogs always responded well to that .

most vets are not breeders, nutritionists, or experts on any one breed.  They see the unhealthy examples, many with poor temperaments.   They don't see the well-bred dogs as often, because ovrall the well-bred dogs aren't going to have the problems requiring vet care.   Most vets are not orthopedic specialists either - so even if they can take a good straight hip x-ray that doesn't mean they really know what they are looking at.