For instance, the Pekingese, weighing in at just pounds, may give birth to as many as 10 puppies. Big litters can be dangerous to the mother dog dam due to delivery problems, especially in smaller dogs. Some of the puppies may be delivered stillborn, and the dam may become exhausted during delivery. Reputable breeders want more puppies if they have a lineup of people wanting them.
Dog owners may want more bundles of squirming puppy joy from their canine companion. Humans have control over certain aspects of when and how a female dog is bred that can affect litter size, but there are limits. Artificially inseminated dams produce smaller litters than those impregnated naturally. A male is usually able to breed by six months old, however good breeders will wait til the dog reaches full maturity which can be 15 to 24 months based on the breed's size.
This is so they can do recommended health tests to make sure the dog will not pass on any genetic conditions.
It also will give you a better idea of the dog's temperament and behavioral soundness. The AKC will not allow breeders to register a litter if the sire is seven months or younger.
Technically there's no limit to how many times a male dog can sire a litter. Responsible breeders wait at least a day between breedings as breeding every day can affect the quality and quantity of the sperm.
Some breeders will wait up to six to eight weeks to ensure a healthy and successful breeding. While a male can continue to breed throughout old age, the quality of their sperm will decrease and breeding may be more difficult due to health issues. It is recommended that male dogs be retired around seven to eight years of age though this depends on the size of the breed. The AKC will not accept registrations if the sire is older than 12 years.
Breeding a dog involves a serious understanding of genetics, temperament and the care of both dogs involved. Responsible breeder ensure that their dogs are of proper age before breeding. They also keep the number of litters over the lifetime of a female dog to a level that will keep her and her puppies healthy. Number of Litters for Female Dogs It's possible for a female dog to have a maximum of three litters a year. If a female dog has more than four litters in her lifetime, her health will definitely suffer.
Too many pregnancies could even shorten her life. Recovery time is regulated in some countries. For instance, in Finland, you must wait at least ten months from the time a dog gives birth to breeding her again.
The recovery time is essential for female dogs. Consider that they go through almost three months of pregnancy. Then they give birth and care for the puppies, nursing them regularly, and more. Recovery time is imperative for her health and the health of her future litters. Back-to-back reeding is not acceptable, though there are breeders who practice this with their female dogs. However, with this breeding method, female dogs have time to recover in between pregnancies.
And this can be damaging to their health. So, there you have it! For female dogs who are healthy and of the right age, they can have about three or four litters over their lifetime, not more. Some seem to have incredibly easy pregnancies, deliveries, etc. A good breeder should be taking into account a large number of factors and be willing to retire a dog early if needed, while other dogs may be able to easily have 5 subsequent pregnancies with zero health concerns.
A dog is capable of having over ten litters in her lifetime, however, most dogs will not be able to produce this number of healthy litters and remain healthy herself. One obvious sign that a female should be retired is that her litter size drops drastically. Small litters or litters that for one reason or another have some health complications can happen even among young, fit mothers, but they can also be a sign a mother is older and needs to retire from breeding.
Most reputable breeders will cap even their fittest, best mothers at around litters so that she can be spayed while she is still young and at her healthiest. Reasons that a reputable breeder may have to retire a dog sooner would be difficult deliveries that may require C-sections or other common reproductive related difficulties such as recurrent mastitis or uterine infections.
However, most well-bred dogs are able to have a good handful of litters with no health concerns. Remaining active during pregnancy and whelping and being able to maintain a healthy weight during nursing are signs that your dam is feeling good and able to continue producing litters.
A breeder should always be in touch with their dogs and show a high degree of concern for their wellbeing. Other times, a dog may not seem to jive with motherhood. A breeder should be willing to retire a dog early if they simply do not seem to enjoy being a mom.
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