suebroughton
Beginner
where would I be without my Rana and Shadow
Posts: 49
|
Post by suebroughton on Dec 27, 2006 2:17:59 GMT 1
 Hi all. Can anyone tell me please asap, how old a pup is before they can reproduce. Rana came into season today, and baby shadow is 7 month old. I will be making an appt tomorrow for to get him castrated, but please please someone tell me he is too young yet to catch her.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheryl on Dec 27, 2006 2:41:23 GMT 1
If he's descended, and she allows, he is able... usually a dam will not allow a son to mount her, even the breeds not as intelligent as we think weims are...I am always wondering when looking at line breeding in pedigrees, if humans intervened to ensure the event occurred since many of my bitches in the past "chose" who they allowed to mate with no matter what my intentions were!
To be safe, I'd take turns crating them, and show them they are still much loved and not in trouble, but you can get thru an entire heat cycle doing the crating without any problems if you do choose to... he's young enough, he would be easy to keep distracted and she should be secure enough to want to "den" in the crate. Just make sure you are with her no matter what every single time she is outside the crate to "defend her honor!" (For an entire month)
|
|
|
|
Post by fyreside on Dec 27, 2006 3:09:16 GMT 1
Sue, I would be thinking very carefully about castrating Shadow at such an early age. Most weimaraner males are not fully developed until they are more towards 18 months of age. I guess it depends what you want to do with your boy. Are you showing him or considering doing some competitive activity like obedience? You should find out whether or not he can still compete when he is neutered BEFORE you take that step. Dogs that I have seen in the vet clinic that were neutered early tend to stay fine in build and look more puppish / immature. If you want your boy to fill out then I would leave him entire until he fills out. Having said all that, if you are not going to use him for breeding or showing etc then it is better to neuter him at some point. As a breeder I have recommended to my puppy buyers that they wait until the dog is at least 12 months preferably 18 months before they neuter.
Another option would be to talk to your vet about chemical castration - an injection - that lasts for about six months and can be repeated.
I agree with what Cheryl said about crating your dogs, I do that with mine when my girl is in season. My boy however has learnt how to collapse the wire crate from inside (when he is in it) so we have to tie the ends to the sides to make it impossible for him to get out. Houdini has managed to get out several times and also break through glass windows (twice) from outside to get at the bitch. Boy that drive is strong, but then I have a very tarty bitch who likes to tease.... LOL. Moral of this story always keep an eye on your dogs!
Marg
Fyreside Weimaraners
|
|
|
|
Post by Weims on Dec 27, 2006 12:09:38 GMT 1
Sue, It is perfectly possible for a 7 mth old to mate and reproduce. I also think 7 mths is far too young to castrate a dog, he needs the teenage hormones to mature into a "grown up" dog. if necessary you will have to kennel Rana until she has finished her season. You could have Shadow howling for her, not eating, pining after her if she is there. On the other hand he may not bother, in which case you may be ok. But to be on the safeside I would kennel rana.
Lynn
|
|
|
|
Post by marjolein on Dec 27, 2006 12:26:00 GMT 1
No matter if you castrate him now, he'll still be able to reproduce for a while. This period can last up to 6 weeks after the op.
So no need to castrate him at this early age. Just keep them seperated. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheryl on Dec 28, 2006 0:36:21 GMT 1
Thanks, Marg! Slade/Bub does the same thing with steel wire crates. If you have the ends clipped with the snaps like on the ends of leashes it is easy to remove or put back on. The plastic airline crates work well if you make sure your fittings are secure, too.
Sue, Hopefully your little guy will not pay much attention at his age, some do and some don't...
I neutered Slade at an early age since his sire and cousin are 80# of muscle and Slade has seasonal plus food allergies. He is now my very strong, sweet, large, Quarter Horse who gallops with gusto! I wonder if he would be the HULK if I had waited to neuter him!!!
At the time, I didn't think he'd stay so sweet and gentle, well mannered...but he has, I was worried back then how I was going to ensure such a future heavyweight would be controlled with his size and power- worried needlessly!
Crate and tire the boy out:) But don't forget she needs her daily time, too, within arm's reach!
|
|
