Too Much Breeding? - Page 1

How much (or how often) is too much? 

We have let our female have 3 litters in a row.  She has always seemed healthy and happy, and with a few exceptions, the puppies have too (a stillbirth, etc.). 

We are not professional breeders, and I don't want to wear her out, but we aren't ready to get her fixed either.  I just kind of wanted some opinions on that from those who know more than me. 

The pups from the last litter did fine, but at some point (too early seemed like to me), she seemed less inclined to sleep with them all night, etc., even when they were crying.

Thanks

 Oh boy. It's good that you're heeding her warnings that she's had enough for now...and I think 3 in a row is enough. Give her a break. 

Beyond giving her a break, since you say you are not professional breeders and are asking for people who know "more than  you", I will warn you that you are about to be jumped on big time for breeding at all, let alone 3 litters in a row. 

What are you breeding and why? You know, you don't have to breed a bitch or spay her; you can simply NOT breed her that heat. ALL my bitches are intact; I have in heat in my house as we speak. None are being bred right now. 

Thanks for the reply.

It's not something we set out to do, we just haven't prevented it. Our dogs are just family pets/yard guards, so I guess that's what I'd expect the pups to be. But maybe I underestimate them. There are a couple pics of some from the last litter in a previous post I made.

I was thinking we would back off to once a year or so from now on, if that, as long as she's doing well and taking care of them and so forth.

 If they can herd weasels, Jenni will buy it off of you. HA HA

If she's had 3 litters in a row, I recommend that you give her at least 2 heat cycles without being bred.

Reproductive vets say there's no medical reason to not breed subsequent heats--as long as the bitch is in good health and good weight. However, I think your bitch's behaivor is telling you that she'd like a break. If she's just your pet and she's tired of caring for puppies, and is not enjoying having puppies, why would you put her in that situation, while also risking her life and health. (Because, yes, bitches do die from having puppies, problematic labors, etc.)

I still don't follow why are you breeding her, its not your professional business, it's not directed at improving the breed, the poor bitch has had litters every year over the last 3 years, and then you say its not something you set out to do you just never prevented it; everyone on here with a bitch could behave like that.
How many unwanted dogs are PTS every day in the US without thoughtlessly producing more.
I think its good you are finally seeking advice, and you've probably realised the answer yourself; knock it on the head.

Ronin

They are cuter than I expected them to be when I looked but this is why:


GSD Colors
by SheepShep on 29 December 2010 - 01:12

SheepShep

Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:21 am
Thanks. They are selling fast.

Good observation, but no, that's not why.  It was an added benefit though.

They are pretty cute, aren't they?  The pups have been a joy for our family, and I hope the same for the families that each went to.

 Give her a break.

I think at least she is asking and does not wish to harm her bitch. I also suggest she do the breeding in at least a responsible manner though and not just throw two dogs out into a yard and not attempt to even check them out or learn anything about lines or anything at all.

  I do not think it is just that she is breeding just pets that is the issue but rather hey i just threw them into the yard and got pups to sell. We do not know how old the female was when started loading her with pups and you cant assume based on the description that she was at least over two so who knows what the pups robbed from her having those three litters? If she was over two is a huge difference than having litters her first three heats of her life IMO.

  Ages they started breeding? Lines of your two dogs? Photos of your breeding pair to go with those puppy photos? How many pups per litter for the three litters? Her weight before whelp and after whelp for each litter? Her size and her bones condition now after the three litters? 

Too many unanswered variables. I doubt at the very least hips were checked?