Does anyone have experience in breeding an older bitch? I am considering breeing my 8.5 year old female one more time. By the time she had pups she would be almost 9 years old. She has has 4 litters before, born naturally, with her last litter the whelping was slow and prolonged, with the uterus getting tired. She needed asssistance and oxytocin shots to help on a couple of pups (they were large).

Ed mentioned in a very old post about putting a female on a rigorous exercise program. Could you elaborate?

Hmmm....nine years old at time of whelping and a past history of difficult delivery? I think most breeders would pass on that one secondary to too much risk to the bitch.
Nice website by the way, Isabel. Ya'll have a bunch of good looking dogs and if Joel is your regular helper, you're getting good training! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If the bitch was in great physical shape and came back well after the last litter... I might do it.. if I thought the pups would be worth the stress on the bitch.. however.. if she is not in excellent shape.. I would not do it.

Jody

I agree with Jody. If the bitch was in excellent shape, had a lot to contribute, and her only problem with the last litter was due to 2 extremely large pups, then I might breed her one last time. But she would have to be an exceptional bitch and the stud would have to be "perfect" for her.

Isabel, would this be Avanti you're considering? She's a nice looking bitch. I recently got a Lewis daughter myself, what a kick she is to train. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would pass on this and get the bitch spayed. Not only does she have a tired uterus, but her chances for uterine cancer go way up after age 7.

Yes it is Avanti, and yes, I still train with Joel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

She is in good shape, of course I would exercise her even more regularly if I go ahead and do it. I have to yet find a bitch of her qualities elsewhere, and this last litter was just super, a very consistent litter. That is the only reason I am toying with the idea to repeat the breeding.

Yes, she came back very well from her last litter. Her labor was just slow, but once she had the pups she was fine. Once delivered the 5 pups didn't appear to be hard on her at all and she stayed in good shape throughout the nursing phase. Always ready to play ball when taking a break - of course <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Who are you breeding her to? I might want a pup.

Gita and Todd, I had no idea that blood was still in the mix here in the US. My father owned two bitches some years back, if I remember correctly, that had similar blood as Gita. . .cool dogs.

The bitch has an excellent bloodline IMO.

I would say that your bitch may be worth breeding that last time by the pedigree. It is also a big plus in my opinion that she is still very healthy and has maintained her working vitality. . .if that is the case.

More people need to be looking at older dogs who's health is still superior at advanced ages. . .AND BREED TO THESE DOGS.

Get her on a super good diet and exercise program ASAP. . .and send me an e-mail about the breeding. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> please <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I would breed her back to Robby vd Lindenhalle. Robby is over 6.5 years old and in top condition. This is a linebreeding 3,4-3 on Mink and 5,5-5 on Ignaz Oberscholvenerweg. What surprised me was that the pups came out better looking and better conformed than either parent <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I x-rayed 3 of the pups so far, great hips. Joel Adams has a female puppy and Robby's owner has a male from this breeding. My male has panosteitis in his upper arm (the only afflicted one), though. Hopefully he will grow out of it soon, I cannot wait to start working him (6 months old now). He grips like his father and has a loud mouth like his mother (Robby is not a very good barker). He acts like he owns the world - and is a dog one can live with at the same time. I have been waiting a long time for a pup like this! The other owners are also very happy with their pups. Both have told me things like "the best GSD puppy I have ever had" and "this puppy is about as good as it gets". They have lots of toy drive and are very environmentally sound.

So, that is why I am debating whether to repeat. I think I will just put her on an exercise program and then see. She doesn't like retirement anyway <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well -I don't know if I should comment as I don't have GSD's - but judging form the info given I would breed her! She sounds very "sound" and seems to throw sound, is a good breed specimen and has good working longevity. Seems to be something that would be beneficial to the breed.
Though I am dealing with different breeds than GSD I have bred older bitches without problems.
I think the overall soundness of the dog has to be judged instead of looking at a calender figure especially with working dogs - after all, a lot of vets say anything over age 6 is an old dog.
I have a yard of working huskies then that would be considered geriatrics by their (the vets) yardstick - a couple of my beter leaders are WELL
past the 10 yr old mark.