A best practice is 4-6 litters per dog
Most reputable breeders will cap even their fittest, best mothers at around 4-6 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.
Physical health is one factor that breeders should be highly aware of, but a dam’s emotional health matters, too. A breeder should always be in touch with their dogs and show a high degree of concern for their wellbeing. Some dogs seem to really enjoy being mothers and spend extra time with their pups and actively choose to play with them, bring them treat/toys, etc.
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. This can look like a dog not wanting to spend time with her puppies, seeming particularly anxious during the whelping process, etc. A breeder who is in tune with her parent dogs will likely retire some earlier than expected for reasons such as these.
Besides actual number of litters, there are other questions to consider when it comes to the ethics of breeding your dam. When and how often your dog should be bred are also questions that every breeder must grapple with. And similar to the topic of number of litters, the answers to these questions do vary based on size and breed of dog as well as other factors.
Even reproductive vets tend to disagree when it comes to the answers to these questions. As an example, previously, skipping heats between pregnancies was strongly encouraged in the breeding community. However, newer research has suggested that the more heats a dog has in her lifetime, the greater the risk of pyometra and other health concerns.
Research shared by Dr. Claudia Orlandi PhD, suggested that a breeding female should not skip any heat cycles until she is retired. The study involved dissecting the uteri of retired females. The uteri that had the most scarring and “damage” were from those who had skipped a number of heat cycles.
So some breeders feel strongly about breeding their females back to back, while others insist that skipping heats allows their females to completely recover physically between pregnancies. Regardless of their answer, your breeder should be able to tell you why they breed their female as often as they do in a way that shows concern for their dog.
Is it the next new Chinese dog breed coming your way? An experiment in genetic modification that escaped from the lab with the help of an ambitious entrepreneur?
Just a few of the many unanswered questions from our time on the streets of Urumqi in Chinas Xinjiang Province.
Virtual Field Trips
Education is key to our mission. We enjoy teaching “kids” of all ages! Our field trips, both virtual and onsite, are ideal for groups of kids. Our “Kid for a Day” Adult Camp provides a unique learning opportunity while allowing adults to channel their inner child. While all of these opportunities are structured differently, in the end we want everyone to walk away knowing more about the animals we care for and what they can do to help protect them.
Get involved at Carolina Tiger Rescue
These 10 Dogs Were Recently Created
Selecting a future hunting buddy can be a confusing process if youre not sure of what to look for. In this online exclusive running in conjunction with the PRO TIPS column appearing in the March/April/May 2011 issue of GUN DOG titled Which One, sixteen different breeders give insight on how they handle the puppy selection process for the breeds they specialize in.
John Greer of Tiger Mountain Pointing Labradors: Ellensburg, WA 98926; (509) 929-4032; Web site: www.pointinglabs.com; e-mail: [email protected].
“We place our puppies at seven weeks,” John said, “but only after we have completed our weeklong puppy evaluation program in the field with birds.”
John said they welcome scheduled visits before selection day for buyers who want to see their older dogs, their training program and their farm. But they dont let visitors enter the whelping barn, where their current litter is.
Tiger Mountain knows each puppy well, especially after the week in the field on birds. They become familiar with each buyer through questions and conversations with him.
“We inquire about his family life, hunting habits, goals for the puppy, and field trial and hunt test experience and plans,” John said.
With that knowledge, they place each puppy with the buyer for whom that puppy makes the best match.
“Rapport will grow as the two get better acquainted and bond with one another,” he noted.
Tiger Mountain recommends selecting a breeder whose program you have confidence in. A conscientious breeder will be there to help you through your puppys rearing and training process.
A: Order of picks is determined on a first-come-first-serve basis. We put your name down in the order your deposit has been received. Once we have received your deposit, your name is placed on the pick list according to the type of puppy youve chosen (color and gender). All the pups in the litter will be pre-selected for you by us based upon your preferences to not only color/gender but to demeanor, disposition, family life, type of hunting, etc, etc. If the puppy you choose isnt born or is born but doesn’t pass our Puppy Evaluation Program, well move your deposit to another litter.
Q: Once my puppy is born… whats the earliest you recommend we come to see the litter.
A: We offer “visitation”, to see our dogs and any older pups but our litters are after the pups are vaccinated and are 7 weeks old, basically pickup day. Please wear appropriate clothing/shoes. No one, outside of ourselves, is allowed in the whelping barn. All pups are pre-determined for their new homes by us.
Q: What do I need to do in order to put a deposit down on a puppy?
A: We have a waiting list pretty much year round. In order to get on the list, we require the first month’s training fee ($800) in advance to put your name on the list. We recommend you put the deposit down when you buy your puppy or started dog, etc.