Does the dog have any inheritable health conditions?
Inheritable health conditions, if present in a parent, can spread and multiply in the offspring quickly. Even if the dog appears to be in good health, it may still be a carrier. The more offspring a dog produces, the more the chances of his health issues showing up.
Inheritable diseases are more common in purebred dogs, mainly because they lack the genetic variation to counter these diseases. Some species are also more prone to certain diseases, and having them breed with the same breed can multiply the chances of these health conditions appearing in the subsequent generation.
Always have a detailed health screening of both the male and the female before having them breed. Watch for any abnormalities or disorders that can pass on to their successors. Diseases such as degenerative myelopathy, thyroid disorders, deafness, blindness, hip dysplasia, and heart and kidney problems are common inheritable health conditions in dogs.
What is the oldest age a dog can have puppies?
If you have older dogs, you may think that they are not capable of producing puppies especially when they may not have as much energy as before or no longer want to head out for walks several times a day like they did when they were puppies.
There is no straightforward answer here since it depends on several factors which we will touch on below.
First, let’s discuss when a male dog is too old to have puppies.
Timing of previous litters
In female dogs, the timing of previous litters matters as much as the number. While a healthy dam can rear up to 5 litters without problems, it is best to space them out so she gets plenty of time to recover.
The breeder’s goal should be the longevity of their dams. Malpractices like breeding the dog too young, too old, too often, or too excessively put the mother and the litter’s lives at risk.
Dogs Mating Everyday – How Old Does a Male Dog Have to Be to Mate & Breed?
Most male dogs can breed until they are senior dogs, but it is difficult for older dogs to get females pregnant. After your dog is around 10 years old, you may want to stop breeding him. Some believe that certain small breeds shouldn’t be bred after age seven, while other breeds can be bred up to age 12.