Hi Folks

This question is aimed at the experienced breeders here! I am going to start breeding German Shepherds next year! I have a fine bitch coming to me in mid September...

Is there a general rule of thumb as to how frequently a bitch can be bred, common sense tell me that it should be every 2 to 3 season ... am I right?... Also how old is to old to breed her? I want to get this right, straight from the off so any advice will be gratefully received!!!

Hello Mark,

First off, I would like to say that I sincerely hope you have thought this through completely before deciding to become a breeder. Not every bitch should be bred. Is yours REALLY worthy? Even if she is, this is a huge responsibility. You should be aware that you probably will NOT make much money with this indeavor when you consider the vet bills, health screenings, stud fees, supplies, and unexpected suprises and traumas involved with bringing new life into this world. You need to be prepared to be responsible for EVERY life you bring into this world from start to finish. Are you prepared for that? PM me if you have any further questions regarding this.

How often to breed your bitch will depend on her health (hopefully you will only breed her at all if she is 100% healthy to begin with) and how well she recovers after her litters. What I will tell you are guidelines only. If your bitch does not recover well or has an extremely large litter or very difficult labor, you should wait longer between breedings.

Generally, a bitch should be at least 2 years old before she is bred for the first time. She should then be bred only once per year after that (or every other heat cycle). She should be retired by the time she is 8 years old. There are some exceptions to these "rules" but as I said, these are not rules, only guidelines.

Good luck to you!

Dear Kali,

God bless you for your reply, very well stated.

That is how a responsible breeder would do it.
What I really have a problem with is the breeders that breed every heat season, import very pregnant bitches, that have their litters in the back of the van after being picked up at the air port. This actually happened. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> And have little or no regard for the bitch or the puppies well being.

I guess that is what happens when the almighty dollar is more important than the welfare of our wonderful breed.

I will not mention the breeders name on this site, but I can tell you that they have a full page ad in just about all the major dog books.

I've said enough. I guess I've just seen enough over the past 35+ years.

Sincerely, Joyce M. Burrows

Hi Folks

Somewhere somehow I think I have been misunderstood... If I wanted to make money I wouldn't breed dogs, as for the 'mighty dollar' comment, thats no use to me as I am in England....

Sooooooooo to put the record straight here. In England because of our quarantine restrictions, up until recently importing good working dogs from Europe (mainland) had been prohibitively expensive hense there are not really many breeders breeding for the services (Police etc)....

I plan to do my bit and am bringing in a bitch from the Daelenbergutte kennel in Belgium, followed by one from Tiekerhook Kennels in Holland at the end of next year...... Please check out the sites yuour self and see what type of stock come from these wonderful breeders....

The bitch that is coming is..... healthy, sound in conformation with excellent drives (if I had your e-mail address I would send you the video so you could see yourself)!

Above all, the 2 people that have sent presumptious and disparaging remarks in reply to my post should realise the many thousands of 'dollars' it costs to import really top dogs, which includes bringing them to England, so making money is not the issue here!!!!!

No, what I was really looking for was informative comment for a very 'green', new and enthusiastic breeder who wants to start and continue the right way......

Construstive critisism is always helpful but biased, righteous pre-judgement is not!!!!... I am looking for interetsting views from informed people to help me not to make mistakes.....

Anyone interested in helping me along the way by sharing their knowledge will be gratefully recieved.....

Cheers

Excuse me, Mark, but NO ONE sent you a "disparaging" or "presumptuous" reply! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Please keep in mind that we do not know you personally. The factors I brought up were simply to make you, or ANYone reading these posts, THINK. If you have already thought about these issues -- hooray for you, you are off to a far better start than most people.

How on earth were these two comments "biased and righteous pre-judgements"?!?! The comment Joyce made about the "mighty dollar" was NOT aimed at you! (re-read her post--she was refering to someone else) :rolleyes: You have to realize that, unfortunately, there are many people out there that are only concerned about making $$ and there was no way for either Joyce or I to know that you are not one of them. But we were in NO WAY passing judgement on you!

I am familiar with both the kennels you mentioned. But my question to you is, based on your first post, how could anyone have possibly known your bitch was to come from them?!?! How do we know that you know to breed only quality?

As far as I am concerned, my comments were only there to help you with what you want to do by bringing up important points that any responsible breeder should be aware of. That does not in any way mean that I was ASSUMING you were not responsible, though. I did answer your questions after all and I would not have done so if I felt you were being irresponsible.

You said you were looking for "interesting views from informed people to help you not to make mistakes" (buddy, you just made a big one by assuming we were "presumtuous" and "biased") and for people to "share their knowledge." Well, perhaps if you re-read my first post with a more open mind and without being so defensive, you will see that is what I have done.

You're welcome!

Mark. I assume that you have picked out a stud that compliments your bitch. Once bred, keep a journal of all dates, Breedings, ultrasound, shots etc. Next, make sure you have a good place for the birthing. Will you have pups in the house or kennel? Get Ed's video on whelping, I haven't seen it but I assume it must be very good. Keep a journal on each puppy, weight, wormings, shots and so on. I also like to evaluate each puppy week by week to see how its personality is. New owners will love you for that and it helps you place the right puppy with the right people.

Oops. forgot, don't breed until two (I'm sure your female has been x-rayed?), also make sure that male is old enough too. I stop breeding at 7 and have bitch spayed. Cuts down on uterine cancer. As already stated, breed only once per year.

Dear Mark,

Please check your P.M.'s

Joyce M. Burrows

Mark-
I'm with ya on this. I don't think starting off with such a rude response post in this situation was necessary. Don't get turmed off....most people are very helpful on here and give great advice unless someone shows total ignorance and that they are in it for the wrong reasons.....I don't believe your post showed that.
Kim's on the money...that video is great.
Also Koos at Tiekerhook himself is very helpful on these questions too.
Pat

Patrick and Mark, I hate to say it, but I do not think Kali's response was rude at all based on the first post. Get used to people questioning you if you want to breed, it doesn't end.

Mark, Rinus is a good guy. I have a pup from him that is a handfull and a half! I am sure you already know Xamm v.d. Daelenberghutte is in the UK as well. Best of luck with your new bitch.

Since I think this has already been answered, I am closing it down. If you need more clarification open a new thread.