How Old?

[suebroughton]

Hi all. I have scanned through most of the breeding issues, but they seem so varied.
Basically, this is for a friend of mine, she would like to breed her dog with a friends bitch Weim.
She would like to know, how old must the dog be, and how old must the bitch be, to reproduce.
Also, if anyone has any other advice for her, please feel free.
Thank You.

[Rachel]

In the UK every breed club has different rules for different breeds of dogs. Some breeds it is okay to breed earlier than 2 years, and other breeds it is frowned upon.

The Weimaraner clubs state that a Weimaraner bitch should not be mated before two years, and not after 7 years. No more than 3 litters in her lifetime.

The Kennel Club has a different set of rules, they say any dog can have a litter from the age of 1 years to 8. I forget now but I think its something like 6 litters from a bitch.

The Accredited breeder scheme is the same as the KC because it is the KC so same rules.

So to do things right in the UK your friends bitch needs to be two years of age. She needs to have her hips scored to check she does not have hip dysplacia. The dog also should be of an age where the hips are scored before breeding, so that means for a dog in the region of about 1 years. Their is debate on what age a dog should first have his first litter. Its usually around 14 months to 18 months by the time the tests are all done etc.
Other health tests are done by some breeders, such as eyes, and even heart testing.

If the dog in question is just doing this as a one off, I would advise you let the bitch owner go to a proper stud dog. Rather than giving the dog the experience he wont forget.
Plenty of excellent studs out there to use.

Depending on the pedigree of course you need to make sure the dog and bitch are compatible.

I hope that helps and you can always give your friend my website details and she can ask me anything she wants.

Rachel

[Rachel]

PS
She needs to check their are no breeding restrictions on the dog or bitches pedigree, as most good breeders in the UK put a (R) Progeny endorsement on the Kennel Club documents. If she signed a letter with the breeder stating she knew this KC progeny endorsement is in place on the KC documents, she can not then breed her dog and register the puppies with the Kennel Club.

Rachel

[suebroughton]

Thank you Rachael . I see there is a lot to consider. I have 2 Weims, one of each, and did not get them for breeding, just for pets.
Any othe rcomments welcome
Thanks

[tasha]

talk to the breed club there maybe considerations that need to be taken with your specific lines it would be heartbreaking for anyone to produce intersex or puppies with liver shunts for example just through a lack of knowledge about their lines. Do your research you can't check everything but you can at least find some information.

Something to note at the moment is that alot of breeders are struggling to sell their stock so unless there is a good reason to breed (taking a puppy back) then to be honest I'd give it a miss unless your friend can cope with bringing on a litter past the 8 weeks.