wigeon jim Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Hi, just realised that my fowling companion my very fit black lab will be 9 years old in February, don't know where the years have gone! Is she going to be to old to take a litter of pups from? Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 If she is fit and well then no you could take a litter from her, seen it down with terriers and lurchers.litter size isn't as big and she may not take , worth considering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Bad advice. No kennel club papers. As they won't register a litter from a bitch of that age , especially a first litter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Yes if you need kc papers then it's a no no... If you want to breed a dog for yourself and don't need papers then can't see a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Recommending breeding for the first time from a nine year old bitch is exteremely bad advice IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 I've bred and trained labs for 45 years and I would strongly advise against anyone breeding from an older bitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telf Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Recommending breeding for the first time from a nine year old bitch is exteremely bad advice IMO. totally agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Think of it as wanting your 56 year old wife to have a baby. Not a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wigeon jim Posted December 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Thanks for all the advice, was thinking she was just getting to old, the usual story of putting things off till its to late, as I said she is still very fit and still runs around like a young dog so hopefully we have a good few seasons left together , Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Out of curiosity, what would the collective think is the oldest your bitch could be for her first litter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 I bred mine at just 6 when she whelped but that was late and I wouldn't leave it any later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) 3-4 is a good age for a working bitch as they have their training under their belt by then and are physically mature if you want them to have one litter only. Not too old to put them at risk being too old and they recuperate better. A first litter is normally bred from a bitch earlier if more than one litter is wanted. If they have their season early enough in the year to be past the shooting season before mating and give you 9 weeks for pregnancy then 8 weeks to wean the pups and then time to build the bitch up again and refresh training. If you rough shoot in the Spring/Summer you are going to be without your shooting companion for quite a few months. You have to think carefully about why you want a litter and can you provide the facilities and time they need to have a litter. Is it worth the risk to your shooting companion if things go wrong. Its a lot easier to look around and buy another pup with simiiar breeding if you want another gundog and just as likely or not to make the grade as a gundog as a retained puppy from your own bitch. Edited December 19, 2016 by loriusgarrulus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Makes perfect sense 👍🏼 I have bred a few litters of terriers but getting another Lurcher pup in April rather then breed from my bitch, similar blood but far easier then trying to rehouse pups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 If you really care for your dog do not bread her at that age, My wife and I have bred dogs all our lives, ability to cope with puppies depends on the breed but at 9 she is too old, there would probably be health complications during pregnancy even if she is still fit, but her ability to cope with a very demanding litter of puppies diminishes with age. Also it would take a severe toll on her health post pregnancy and could have some long lasting effects. My advice for what its worth is keep her working and buy in a new pup to train on ready for when she retires. If in doubt ask a vet, but I am sure his advice will be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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