Dog Breeding Questions & Answers

Breeding dogs starts with knowledge. A responsible breeder should know canine genetics, health problems, and behavior. Some dogs have certain inheritable characteristics that can develop into a disability or disease.

Is my Pomeranian Too Old to Have Puppies or Get Pregnant?

Q: How old is too old for a Pomeranian to have puppies or get pregnant?
I have a 7-year-old Pomeranian and I don't know if she is in heat or not. Or even if she can still get pregnant at this age. I can't find any info on this anywhere. Does anyone have experience with an older toy dog getting pregnant or having puppies?
Thank you!!!

Pomeranian dog at her breeding Age — Photo Credit: Wanna Be Creative/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by kat
My pom, who never leaves my side, got pregnant while I was on vacation and had her one and only pup at age 7. Now she is 10 and a Houdini dog in heat. I'm worried she could get pregnant again. Our vet advised against getting her fixed at this age...what else can we do. We're trying to keep her inside because she suddenly has found numerous places to get through the fence. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Answer by xallyxx16
I would NOT recommend getting her pregnant, at 7, it could kill her.

Answer by Jaclyn
Seven is not too old to have puppies. Her age is fine. Dogs do not retire from breeding until after age eight.
If she has never had puppies at all then you should have her spayed at 8 to avoid a pyometra. They are more common in older dogs who have never given birth.

Answer by Kit_kat
In most cases, breeders will retire the dog at 7 – 8 years old
If she never had pups there is more chance of complications
also a good chance you will have to raise the pups and that is feeding and making go potty every 2 hours day and night.

Answer by $arah(APBT owner x4)
Why would you want that, it could kill her she is too old and her body cannot handle a pregnancy.. more than likely you will lose her and the litter. Have her spayed.

kit kat you bred dogs for 20+ years, and you bred them until 7-8 years old???? What the hell is wrong with you people..NO… real breeders usually retire their females at 5 yrs old 6 at the latest.

Breeder’s Bible: Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J.M.Eavans & Kay White

Answer by ♫♪ Nekkid Bootie
technically she can get pregnant.. however it is NOT SAFE for a dog that age to carry a pregnancy or whelp a litter.
Get your dog SPAYED. Breeding at that age could kill her!

Answer by rahul
i have two toys ……..one is male and second is female but they have got seven years old till ten she doesn't get pregnant ……….when male dog try to cross her when she in heat….so she can not do anything n fight each other
once i have to try to another dog but there is the same condition…..
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Some of the comments:

LInda Ragonese: You never mention Morkies. They are adorable and very lovable.

KarenVS&Rexie: Morkies (Maltese/Yorkie) are immensely popular. Everyone I mention my darling Rexie to (in Santa Hat in Photo) has heard of morkies. They are super cute and very loyal and protective and stay cute up till old age. Dog group member said she has had dogs before but a morkie is a real trip. They are characters. Rexie is supervisor of our home. :-)

Karen Amiger: I have cross yorki border terrier very energetic smart .....

Black Hole: Rottskies are also a good designer breed.

Emma Smitley: Huh? Where’s Yorkie-poo on there? They have been around for a decade already! So where are they on the list!

Loveoldies50: Cavachon! The most adorable designer dog! A wonderful mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frisée. Loyal, loving, and too damned cute!

Angelo Addison: Me and my sister got a chorkie today his name is Master Yoda and he is shy and has tan on his belly and mouth and has the rest of his body very light brown and his eyes is a very teal + dark blue color that’s rare and he is a puppy right now.
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Do Borzois only have One Season per Year?

skyespirit86: Borzoi Experts!!?
Do Borzois only have one season per year? I am an animal care student and today our teacher told us they do, but I can't find proof anywhere on the net. I know Basenjis only have one season, as do Dingos and Wolves etc.
She's a Veterinary Nurse with a lot of experience so I don't like doubting what she says, but I've never heard this before and thought it was just Basenjis.

Photo Credit: ROVER_JP/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by Wendy
She may have had this experience with one particular Borzoi - they aren't all alike.
MOST dogs have a season every 6 - 9 months.
I breed & show dogs & have done so for 30 yrs.

Answer by animal_artwork
In my experience different bloodlines even within the same breed can have different lengths between seasons. I worked with a line of Samoyeds whose b*tches only came in season when they were triggered by an in-season b*tch (which really made my life easy!) The line of Bernese I'm working with comes in about every 9 mos.
I don't know about Borzois… you can probably email a couple of breeders through and find out.

Answer by Arlene B
Most domesticated dogs come into season 2 times per year. The Basenji's are largely undomesticated and Usually only come into season once per year. A bitch may come into season twice per year-but this usually only happens once. My very young bitch basenji came into season twice last year- a heavy one in the fall and a quick one in the early spring. I know of very few Basenji's that come into season twice.

Answer by walking lady
A good many large and giant breed b!tches only go into season approx. once a year, but there's no way she can see that's the case for an entire breed. I've had a couple of afghan hound b!tches who went into heat once a year, and others who came in every 8 – 9 months. The same goes for every other domestic breed of dog.

Answer by Gartom in RTV rehab
Hi, I've grown up with Borzoi, mum has shown and bred them for 30 odd years, it's a new one on me!

Dogs generally have two seasons a year but just like us women they can be sooner or later than 6 monthly. It definitely isn't a Borzoi related thing.

Answer by sophylakes
I was unaware that heat cycles vary by breed… usually goes by genetics.. for instance, my dog's mother and grandmother came into season every 8 months, however, I have another b i t c h from different lines, SAME BREED who cycles every 5 1/2 months
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How Many Litters can a Bulldog have a Year?

angel_rat_83: How many litters can a Bulldog have a year?
How many litters can a Bulldog have a year? Also, how many times can a Bulldog go through a c section? Are they a good dog to breed?

Photo Credit: Identity Photogr@phy/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs
They are EXTREMELY hard and expensive to breed. A female should not have a litter more than once and year due to the stress of the c-section (which they have to have), and should not be bred more than 3 times in their lives. Just FYI: I bred my French Bulldogs last fall, and I had over $ 1500 in the litter in just vet bills by the day that they were born, and she only had 4. Bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated and have to have c-sections, and they usually do not have more than 6-8 puppies. It is also hard to find good breed stock to start with.

Answer by concerned
Are you asking about an English Bulldog or a French Bulldog maybe some other bully breed? Some dogs come in season twice a year but somehow I doubt many English Bulls do. I would not recommend breeding back to back but there are recent differing medical opinions on that. If you're really interested in breeding, do your research and start out with something nice and as health clear as possible. But also go to Pet-Law, a yahoo group, just look it up.

Read the achieves, the Animal Rightists are trying to end all home breeding and in fact pets, so it might be a good idea to have an understanding of what could happen in the near future before you begin. It might be nice if everyone understood what was going on and started to protect our ability to keep pets and show dogs too.

Answer by grr.
If you plan on forcing any dog through that, you are cruel and don't deserve to take care of a dog. Don't force her into having 7 litters of puppies, be happy with your own dog and encourage others to adopt homeless dogs and puppies. You are an enormous jerk for trying to make money off a dog's suffering while hundreds of other dogs are being killed every day. So give your dog the love she deserves and don't be an idiot.

Answer by Not as bored as you
Ever heard the story about the boy who lost his dog while in Maui? Yeah, he came back home to new York and blamed the bum on the street!
The bum looked at him dumbfounded then realized it was all because his daddy and mommy didn't love him enough and that was that.
Moral of the story?
People are all the same way you see yourself... Yes, I'm talking to you that replied on here the first couple...
Feeling a little lonely huh?
All I need is this pack of and someone to make unhappy and I'm at home snugly and warm.
Wow, I love animals!
LOL -sincerely Caveman

Breeder’s Bible: Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J.M.Eavans & Kay White

Answer by walkinglady
A bulldog, like every other breed, should have a MAXIMUM of 1 litter every second year and never more than 3 litters in a lifetime. They are the most expensive breed going due to needing AI, C-sections, plus the myriad of health tests that need to be performed before you even consider breeding.
Since you had to ask the question, no they are not a good dog to breed!

Answer by refuse2lose_2006
liters what is your dog a coke machine
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When can my Chihuahua puppy have a litter?

Leese: When can my Chihuahua puppy be ready to have a littler?
I am planning on breeding my Chihuahua and was wondering how old she has to be to have her first litter?

Answers and Views:

Answer by monomat99
At 2 years of age, it can have a litter theoretically. But to be safe, and make sure everything goes as planned, it is recommended to wait until it gets to 3 years old.

Photo Credit: Thomas B. from Pixabay

Answer by Miss Ginger is Fancy
Never. If your dog is spayed, which is the responsible, healthy choice for her, she can never have puppies.
You do want to do the best thing for her, don't you?

Please spay your dog and DON'T contribute to the dog over-population crises we are facing.

Answer by natalie
Fare enough you have your opinion! I can understand in some ways but come on its the staff’s that need to stop being bread for starters they can be dangerous in some cases like the locking of their jaw this person is asking pacific questions about her chihuahua! Everybody well most obviously love Chihuahuas I have two myself. It’s recommended to start breeding at 2 years +. One of my Chihuahuas got pregnant on accident I didn’t even know she was in season but got caught by a mate of mines chihuahua yes she got pregnant she was only a 1 yr and a half at this point no plans on her being bread as I had an appointment for her at the vets to be spayed but that couldn’t happen. She had a healthy litter of 4 gorgeous puppies and gave birth to them naturally with no problems at all. Barring in mind she was not a teacup she was standard size. I haven’t a clue what size your pup is but o wouldn't recommend golf she’s too small ask your vet what they think :-) xxx

Answer by helpfull2u
wait at least a year to a year and a half, gestation is 6 weeks, don't breed too often or too much it is hard on dogs, and spay her to prevent when you don't want to breed her

Answer by Cheryl
I know there are people who abuse animals to make money but you are not going to change that kind of people. The people who are giving good advice about the best time to breed and not trying to talk people out of it are cool.I have worked with dogs in one way or another for at least 40 years. I know people have to be careful with these small dogs, especially the teacup, From what I have heard there may be some irresponsibility in breeding the teacups but I am not going to be condescending. I would never breed my dog before a year and if I wanted to breed her again, which I probably will not, I would wait another year.

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What are dog breeding laws in California?

Victoria Blackmore: What are dog breeding laws in orange county california?
My neighbor is over breeding his german shepard that has hip dysplasia. As soon as he sells one litter he breeds her again. Now he purchased two pitbulls to breed as well. I have called animal control several times but nothing has come of it. The female really seems to be suffering. I would appreciate any advice that you can give.

Photo Credit: Artur Staszewski/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by Reality Check written in crayon
Unless he neglecting or mistreating his dogs, breeding crap is not against the law...or puppy mills and bybs would not exist...

Answer by Julissa – Being Stal
Wow. That is sad. How is the female suffering?

Answer by Kindness
We all should think have some Sympathy for animals. We should have a law for number of time or Limit times for each breeders and each female dogs. We should take this kind of problems serious. I had seen with my own eyes some breeders don’t care about the dogs they only think making money out of those puppies. It get to me hard got me asking what happened to Humanity.

Answer by Jennifer M~ Got the
I have to look it up, but I think Los Angeles was one of the cities looking at putting in a mandatory Spay and Neuter law. I know Las Vegas did. However, there are loopholes. Pay your annual kennel license fee and you are fine.

Unless he is mistreating the dogs, there might not be anything that can be done. You can try calling animal control or your local shelter and see what they say. They will know the local laws.

Answer by TheoX
There are currently no state laws requiring all pet owners to sterilize their animals but some city and other local governments have adopted mandatory spay/neuter ordinances.

Back in February 2008, Los Angeles County signed one of the nation's toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old. The ordinance was aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the thousands of euthanizations conducted in Los Angeles' animal shelters every year. The ordinance did exempted certain animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies, and those belonging to professional breeders. The average pet owner, however, was obligated to have his or her dog spayed or neutered by the time it reaches 4 months of age, or as late as 6 months with a letter from a veterinarian. Owners with older unneutered pets and newcomers to the city with animals were also required to comply with the ordinance.

The mandatory spay/neuter laws were started with good intentions, but their execution proves problematic.

Answer by Jason Platz
Is it illegal to use some ones male dog to bread with your female with out the dog owners permission? and What are the ethnic rules regarding splitting the profit and choice of puppies?
Thank You for your input!
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How Long are English Bulldogs Pregnant For?

softball_but_im_not_a_softy_!!!!: how long are englishbull dogs pregnant for?
We are planning on getting my 1 to 2 year old bulldog pregnant. Im extremely anxious. How long will she stay prego for?

Photo Credit: Robotic Nerve/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by Sarah S
63 days on average from time of breeding. Just remember because of there large heads English Bulldogs are not natural whelpers and require a c-section which is very costly were taking a few thousand so be prepared for that.

Answer by Mark
Normally, you breed an English Bulldog female on her third cycle (after she is one year and eight months old). The pregnancy lasts about 9 weeks, depending on the dog, and the number of her pregnancies (first – longer, second – quicker).

Answer by Johnny- Cornelius&#0
63-65 days give or take. Also, do you know that this dog will likely need a C- section? I hope you have the money to pay for that. But then again it will be much cheaper to spay the dog then to go through the hassle of delivery

Answer by Wolf Femme
Firstly — you don't even know the minimum age for a dog to be able to have a healthy litter of pups without mental damage to herself.
Secondly — get her registered, get her some titles, and get her health tests done [no, not "oh, she's been to the vet and they said she was fine for breeding"].
Third — get a breeding mentor and learn from them before you breed.
Fourth — if you don't want to do all of that, you have no place breeding your dog. it will likely result in both your dogs' and her pups' deaths.

Answer by Jose
Wow… The nerve of ppl to give this person such a hard time for asking…. At least this person is doing the f'ing research… All breeders were rookies at one point…. Stop acting like its a gods gift to know how to breed.

Breeder’s Bible: Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches by J.M.Eavans & Kay White

Answer by Deona Wilson
I have 2 English Bulldogs myself, and my 2-year-old female is 63 days pregnant today. We choose not to show her, due to the fact that I have children who are actively involved in sports and academics, and I myself hold a full-time job as well as a real estate license. Just because a person chooses not to show their dogs, does NOT mean they don't have genetic clearances and/or should not be bred. You should get off your high horse and quit being such an elitist.

Answer by CNW
I totally agree if you don’t ask questions how will you learn? And also all those curse words are not necessary!! Just saying !!

Answer by Usa
English Bulldogs are pregnant for 63-65 days.
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How Old should I Start Breeding my Female Saint Bernard?

Q: how old should i start breeding my saint bernard female?
I want to breed my female saint bernard and I would like to know what is the best age to breed her.

Female Saint Bernard dog lying on the snow — Photo Credit: Paula R. Lively/Flickr CC

Answers and Views:

Answer by sunkissed299
I believe it is 18 months old. And everyone that's is saying not to breed these wonderful dogs or other pure breeds are simply ignorant.misinformed.these dogs need to be responsibly bred. they need that chance to prove themselves to be healthy vibrant animals and truly wonderful additions to the right homes. Breeding helps to ensure less sickness, better temperament, and longer lives. without the good breeders to breed out healthy animals we would be left with only sick dogs and high medical bills.i have two dogs.one is a poorly bred black lab.so he has been fixed because I feel it is wrong to breed his problems into another generation.but we also have a very healthy saint and I will breed her and her puppies will be donated to responsible families and homes where they are needed and loved.

also.there are many children in foster care.so many that when they turn 18 they are often cast right into the street and soon end up in jail. does that mean that newborn girls and boys should be "fixed" at birth? is there really that much difference between humans and animals.we all deserve the same respect.

Answer by lovemymutts_05
if you are set on breeding
you need to wait until our dog is at least one-year-old that way she is fully developed
I would also research the genetic disorders for that breed to be aware of any problems as the puppy grow

Answer by Bonsylar
DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER ANIMALS DIE!!!
For every puppy, you breed and find a home for you are killing a puppy in a shelter because that is one less home looking to adopt one.
Call a St. Bernard Rescue group in your area, your vet will have the number, and ask them how many homeless purebred puppies and dogs they have right now.
Please, PLEASE, please spay your dog. In addition to adding to the homeless pet problem, you don't know if your dog has the best genes of her breed to pass on to a new generation. Do you show her, has she won any points toward being the best of her breed?
If you can't pay, call animal control they have programs to help you.

Answer by Ashley
Adopted dogs are amazing well the ones that I had as a kid and a young adult. Now that I have children though I can not take the chance of having a dog with problems. I understand there are too many dogs and cats out there but some people want a dog that is a pure breed. Just because a pound or a resue says the dog is pure breed doesn't mean that it is. I need a dog that is healthy and has a good temperament that I can only find in an AKC pure breed. And for the person that keeps saying if you have to ask then don't breed. Are you serious how do you learn anything by not asking questions?

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