Is there any reason I can't breed a good German GSD bitch eight years old in excellent health, with no past health problems, OFA certified and very fine pedigree. I was told that she was too old for a first breeding based on her age along.
Robert VanCamp Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2001
Posts: 3916
Loc:
Offline
She has never been bred?
Hmmm. . .I wouldn't do it. Why hasn't the girl been bred before this if she is so great?
Whelping is hard on the body of older dogs, good health or no, for the same reasons older human bodies have tougher times with very physical labors. Healing is slower, metabolism is slower, joints are not as supple, etc.
it's my understanding that each cycle the female goes thru without being bred thickens the uterus lining and makes it more difficult for the embryos to attach...??? I haven't looked this up recently so anyone feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.
I have bred a female at 7 and had a healthy litter of 9 but she had 3 previous litters and was in EXCELLENT physical condition. Many older females don't have the greatest muscle tone or fitness levels to start with and then add a pregnancy and it can be a recipe for problems..it's very common for older females to get tired during labor and end up with a c-section and maybe a lost litter (if she gets pregnant)
If you decide you want to breed her, make sure she is in superb health and fit first..
Originally posted by Cindy Easton Rhodes: it's my understanding that each cycle the female goes thru without being bred thickens the uterus lining and makes it more difficult for the embryos to attach...??? You are not at all mistaken. That is why a bitch who comes into season more often than normal (like every 4 months) usually has a shorter reproductive career. It has less to do with the age of the bitch and more to do with the number of cycles she has been through. Granted, either way, a younger, healtier bitch is the safer bet. Every time she is in heat her uterus is bathed in estrogen and scarring occurs. (which is also why spayed bitches are more likely to leak... the lining thins with the loss of hormones)
So, in theory your 8 yr old bitch who cycles every 9 months would be better off than my 4 yr old that cycles every 4. (theoretical, I have no idea how often the dog in question cycles) Of course I am talking from a conception stand point only here. I had a pretty hellish whelping with a 3.5 yr old bitch who was very healthy and athletic. I doubt I would attempt it with an 8 yr old.
Jeannette Polowski Webboard User Reg: 03-12-2002
Posts: 732
Loc: Hudson Valley of NY
Offline
Deanna, what did you mean exactly by spayed bitches leaking more due to a thinner lining? I always thought that a spay is actually a complete hysterectomy. Did I miss something here? ( I should have gone to sleep 2 hours ago!LOL)
No one ever said life was supposed to be easy, life is what you make of it!!
Minus the estrogen everything in the urogenital tract loses thickness/condition. (part of why a bitches external genetalia shrinks away to almost nothing as well) My giant schnauzer had to be put on stibestrol & ppa to control her leaking problem.
I don't want to get much deeper involved in the discussion of it than that on this thread. There are several good threads on leaking female dogs that explain it more. I will say that it is a COMMON side effect to early spay that no one mentions!!
Thanks to all for the answers. The reason this little bitch wasn't bread was that we simply were not in a position to devote the time to a litter. She was originally added to our kennel for the purpose of breeding, but things didn't work that way. I was getting out of dog training and only training a few protection dogs. I would buy one or two pups as I needed them.
This bitch hasn't had a heat season since I lost her companion and my household protection dog seventeen months ago. Before he died she was comming in every four months to the day.
I appreciate your answers and will continue to look into it. I don't want to do anything that might have an adverse effect on this dogs health.
SG Kyra v Frolich Haus, SchH3, CD, KKL1
SG Kougar, SchH1, AD, CD - by V Xito v d Maineiche
Fenja v Wildferdelande, SchH2, AD
Bianka v Spitzbubezwinger, IP1 by Ufo v Guys Hof
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
