How Many Times should a Dam have puppies in one year?
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Bitches should only be bred IMO once a year. With the exeption of one set of back to back breeding. Also, depending on what kind of shape the bitch is in and how big/small her litters were she should be bred 3-5 times in her life. I consider 4 litters normal. If she has whelped more then 5 litters that could indicate the breeder is breeding for $$$. Keep in mind some situations are different. I am just giving you the basics.
I keep getting these wierd little flags with this breeder. I'm trying to separate fact from fiction. We went and met her with her dogs. Really liked her and her dogs, but I keep finding these wierd things around corners. We basically met this male that she was preparing to show. We specifically asked her if she had ever bred him to any of her dogs and she said no. I just found that not only did she breed him, but she bred him to the dam who currently has a litter on the ground. She had a litter of puppies back in late January! Should I be walking away?
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You need to go with your gut. In your area there are tons of great breeders with tons of great dogs. If your gut is telling you something's up - walk away! You don't want to regret it later once you have a puppy at home.
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Most reproductive vets are now suggesting that a bitch should be bred back to back, as it is healthier for their uterus that way as long as they are otherwise healthy. While most breeders are now aware of that, it is still hard for many to do. I don't know of anyone who has done more than 3 back to back.
With Trouble, I have done back to back breedings, but she doesn't always come in regularly. This current litter is due October 19, her last litter was born Oct. 3, and the litter before that, December 21.
I do agree that most breeders have between 3 to 5 litters from a bitch, depending on the health of the bitch and the quality of her litters.
With Trouble, I have done back to back breedings, but she doesn't always come in regularly. This current litter is due October 19, her last litter was born Oct. 3, and the litter before that, December 21.
I do agree that most breeders have between 3 to 5 litters from a bitch, depending on the health of the bitch and the quality of her litters.
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Could you PM me on this breeder? I've done a bit of research on the clues you left in your posts, and I wonder if this is the same breeder I started a thread on last week. I can't PM you myself, as I don't have enough posts yet, but you do. I don't want to get in the way on your search for your puppy, but I am just curious...
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NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, get a pup/dog from a breeder you don't trust. If you can't trust the breeder, walk away. It doesn't matter how much you like/want this pup. You should expect to have a "relationship" with your breeder for the life of the dog. She should be there to guide you and answer questions for the next 10-15 years.
If you feel like something is up, it probably is. I agree that you should go with your gut.
If you feel like something is up, it probably is. I agree that you should go with your gut.
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I think the magic number is 15 posts so you should have enough now.
On the subject, I would have a tough time with a breeder that lies about anything to me. I know it's easy to get caught up in pedigree's, dogs, and puppies, but there are alot of good dogs and breeders out there.
Regardless of anything else, why would you want to have a relationship with someone who just lied to you?
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I don't think I would go near this breeder. If she lied about breeding the dogs then what else has she lied about?
You are in CT, if you like Nautilus dogs you are close enough to call Julie MacKinnon herself and she if she has any litters on the ground or is expecting an., We also have some other wonderful breeders locally and all over New England.
I would keep looking.
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I think your idea to go back to the breeder and ask more questions is a VERY good idea. It makes little sense for the breeder to mislead you about having used the stud before, especially if they currently have a litter sired by him on their premises. To me it seems like there was some confusion in the communications.
I agree you must be 100% comfortable with the breeder you decide to get your pup from but I am not sure I would bail quite yet.
And as stated many repro specialist vets feel it is in th best interest of the bitch to do back-to-back breedings.
I agree you must be 100% comfortable with the breeder you decide to get your pup from but I am not sure I would bail quite yet.
And as stated many repro specialist vets feel it is in th best interest of the bitch to do back-to-back breedings.
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There is no single correct one size fits all answer to your question.
"How many times" depends upon the bitch in question. What is her age? Has she fully recovered from her last litter? Is she healthy? How large was her last litter? What kind of condition is she in? What kind of mother was she to her last litter?
You need to evaluate a bitch prior to breeding each and every time you're considering a litter. Sometimes they can be bred back to back, sometimes once every other cycle, and sometimes it may take two or more cycles before they have recovered and are ready again.
There is no simple easy answer.
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