At what age is a dog mature enough to sire pups?

Fairie | 13:57 Wed 17th Sep 2008 | Pets

5 Answers

I'm quite worried and have probably been a little nieve. I have a bitch who is 4 1/2 and a dog of 8 1/2 months old. I've been planning to get the girl done as not to have pups but was waiting on vets advise till after her next season. Thing is her season seems to be 2 months late and he has taken an interest in her. Thinking he'd be too young didnt give it much thought, however, on my return home last night they were locked together!

In addition to the first question. I thought it was the beginning of the season that was the time they breed, she has been in season (bleeding) for 10 days now. Could she still be expecting a litter?

10yr old labrador

My beautiful ROCKY has died

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lankeela

Is this the dog that has had diarrhea? He has probably been fretting over the bitch in season, which could put him off his food and make him loose.

As for the mating, yes she probably will be expecting a litter - most breeders aim to mate their dogs at about 10- 14 days, although they can take at anything from about 4 days to day 30. I know of dogs 6 months old who have mated bitches and produced puppies. If the dog is the one with diarrhea, definitely get him checked by the vet, because you don't want the bitch catching anything from him if she is pregnant.

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Fairie

Question Author

Hi thanks lankeela. It is the bitch who has had diarrhea but it seems to be getting better now, i'll keep my eye on her for next day or two and if not completely gone - i'll take her the vets, i'm assuming i'll have to take her the vets anyway to see if she's expecting - do you know when this can be checked?

lankeela

A scan can be done at about thee weeks, but you would probably know by then anyway, her teats would start to become prominent and pinker, and she would start to thicken around her middle. She may become more clingy. I personally would not bother with a scan, because she either is or isn't so there's not much you can do about it. There are lots of websites with information on pregnancy/whelping bitches.

lankeela

This site is very helpful.

http://www.doggehouse.co.uk/whelping.htm

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