When is a Female Dog Ready to be Bred

There are well - sheltered intact females that have been isolated with great care all their lives until carelessness and ensuing pregnancy at an advanced age occurs. One case was a ten - year - old virgin Cocker Spaniel rather, she had been a virgin. When examining her for an abdominal distension, we felt the puppies moving in her abdomen and announced the news to her owners, who were adamant that it could not have happened.

How old a female can be bred for the first time? Eight years old is the limit and, since she has never whelped a litter before,that age is not without a greater element of risk than an earlier age.Many well - meaning pet owners tell us they did not have their female spayed because they wanted her to have a litter someday but it had not yet been convenient. Then, when the beloved pet begins to show signs of aging, there is a temptation to breed her and keep a puppy just like the mother.

Such thinking presents two problems. First, bearing a litter for female showing signs of aging is risky or at least riskier than one she would have had when she was young. Second, with the infinite number of possible gene combinations it is unlikely that one pup from a litter will be just like the mother. If you are tempted, take your pet to your veterinarian and have a heart - to - heart talk covering the pros and cons of such an undertaking before making a decision.

How old is too old to breed a female? Each female should be considered separately, but in general breeding the average female after eight years of age is not recommended. With the giant breeds and a few others,six years old is about the safe limit. However, there appears to be no reason not to use a male at stud at any age.