When is a Female Dog Ready to be Bred

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 occur. One case was a ten-year-old virgin Cocker Spaniel rather, she had been a virgin. When examining her for 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 stud at any age.

The following are the symptoms that a female dog shows when she is in heat.

Signs to Find Out When is a Female Dog Ready to be Bred

• There would be a significant change in the behavior of the female dog. She would appear to be quite touchy.
• The bitch may also experience false pregnancy. Though not in all dogs but during the mating season the female dog may develop swelled breasts. The breasts may remain swelled for a few weeks but you are recommended to take the dog to a vet clinic if the dog continues to have swelled breasts for a considerable period.
• The vulva of the dog may swell as well. But the swelling of the vulva is limited to a few dogs. During heat, some female dogs may have negligible swelled vulvas while few may have swelled vulvas as bid as a golf ball.
• Blood discharge is perhaps the easiest way to detect whether your female dog is ready for breeding or not. In the initial stages, the dog would bleed out the pink-like liquid and the color would change into a tawny color as it proceeds to the stage of fertility.

Ideally, a female dog should not be allowed to breed before it reaches one or a year and a half. You may consult your vet regarding the right time for your bitch to breed as the age of breeding varies from one breed of dog to another.

See more: Why Breed Dog