The American Beagler Forum

what do you guys think about breeding the first heat is it safe? i asked the vet and he said it was fine but i have herd that it is bad

i would wait until the second heat cycle, she is still to young

chapkosbeagles wrote:what do you guys think about breeding the first heat is it safe? i asked the vet and he said it was fine but i have herd that it is bad

How old is this bitch?

Leah

9 almost 10 mounths

I never breed until over 2 year old. Gyp is older and in better shape by then. Also, I won't breed a gyp unless she is a good dog...and at 10 months I would think it is too early to tell what kind of dog you have. None of my dogs will ever be bred unless they can do a good job in the field, reguardless of blood lines or anything else. It also seems to me you can mess a young dog up if they are started by breeding that early. There is alot of layoff time when bred that a young and that is when they need to be on the ground running.
This is just my opion and may not be right.

chapkosbeagles wrote:9 almost 10 mounths

In my opinion that is much too young. She is still a puppy. Her body and her mind are not ready for puppies. Skip her this time and wait. You'll have a much better outcome and she'll be ready.

Leah

chapkosbeagles wrote:9 almost 10 mounths

Absolutely too young. She's still a puppy, not even completely physically (or mentally) grown yet! It's very difficult to determine what type of a hound she'll grow into, many pups start out great, then fizzle out into adult hood. Heck, I have one bitch whose pups don't even start until 8-10 months old. You just don't know what you have at that age. Another thing you need to consider is that most genetic defects will crop up around the 2yr mark. One main reason I will never breed or breed to a hound that young is because htey many be healthy as pups, but they may not grow into genetically sound adults. Just way too young, I wouldn't condone breeding at that age for any reason whatsoever. Wait until she's at least 2yrs old.

thanks guys that is what i was wondering

beagled1, can you explain to me what you mean when you say

Beagled1 wrote:but they may not grow into genetically sound adults

this dog is a very solid bitch and will run with any dog already she is extreamly fast and runs a tight line she will turn on a dime she is a full 15 inches but i was just wondering what you all think she just come in yesterday

Tim H wrote:beagled1, can you explain to me what you mean when you say

Beagled1 wrote:but they may not grow into genetically sound adults

The vast majority of genetic health problems will crop up within the first 24 months of the dog's life - certain ones sooner, many, many others creep up later on. After 2yrs, the chance the dog will be afflicted with a genetic disease sharply decreases. Certain problems such as epilepsy normally do not emerge in a puppy ... they begin in adolescence to early adulthood. Can still happen, of course, but the risk is so much lowered.

I COULD BE WRONG BUT I THIBNK AKC WANTS THEM TO BE A yr old before they r bred 1st time i have it something about it somehwehere. always breed best to best ,, theres way to much junk out there now.!she maybe a good now and may finsh great i have seen young dogs look like pros then blow up with no reason to it,not often but every great now and again.

I'd wait until her second heat cycle is she is really that exceptional of a bitch but better to wait until she is a few years old. I have read where many think it matures and settles a bitch down after she has a litter. I had a bitch get caught at her second heat cycle and everything worked out well but I think the 3rd or 4th cylce is better. Unless there is a stud dog that is up in years that you want to breed your bitch to there is no reason to rush.

As others have said, No.

You don't even know if you have a dog yet.
She hasn't proved herself in the field under various conditions.
There hasn't been time for certain faults and possible genetic defects to even show.
Wait until she is 2 and you have 2 gun seasons behind her.
If she is what you want then consider breeding her if you can find a suitable male.

beagled1, now I see what you were saying, I thought you were saying, if the mother was under 2 then it would cause the pups to have genetic defects. Your just saying genetic defects may not have shown up in the mother yet.

I am a little surprised with all the experienced breeders on here that more questions weren't asked before advice was given. Most breeding decisions aren't based on one piece of information (her age). I'm not saying anyone is giving the wrong advice, just saying IMO it would be better to get more information about a potential breeding before giving advice.