is it ok to breed the first heat

[chapkosbeagles]

thanks guy i was just wondering and like i said this a exceptional dog the best female i have ever owned and just might be becoming my best dog. she has a ton of hunt and speed like a ch largepack dog but brains to slow it down and pick it apart big monster mounth. i am just excited about this dog and with the way she run anyone who knows what a rabbit dog is would love to own her. i just want a bunch of good pups and i think she would produce them

[Tony Jr]

It's not recommended but it happens. Normally it's the most dangerous one also so if you do bread WATCH HER CLOSELY!!!! If you can wait, I would though!!

[fulcount]

Tim H
what other questions would you have one ask?
the guy asked if 9-10 mnths was too young and got the answer
and some good reasons for the answer!
The answer being no in almost all cases

[Windkist]

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.

What other Questions are there to ask when someone is contemplating breeding a puppy bitch? My opinion and its MINE is that she is too young. End of story!

Leah

[Big Dog]

Windkist is right. 9 months old is a puppy, all bets are off as soon as the age of the dog is given. There is no reason to breed any dog at that age. You don't even know what you really have yet. Wait until at least the 2nd heat cycle and make sure that the dog is still solid. I have seen dogs start off great and then completely blow up or become a bust by the time they are 2 years old. Don't rush it.

[ANTHONY KERR]

What good reasons could there be for breeding a 10 month old bitch ?

[Tim H]

Here's a simple question that might solicit some useful information.
Why are you thinking of breeding on the first heat?
Here are some answers you may get to this question that may require you to rethink your advice.

Had this line for years and so there's a real good history of pups out of this bitches line that give as good of indication as any that the pups will be as desired.
Last female in this line and don't want to risk losing the line.
Stud is getting old enough and don't want to risk not being able to make this cross.

I bring these points up because I would like to learn from others about this issue as well, but there isn't much education going on here. Most are saying it's too young but I'm not seeing any supporting evidence, either analytical or anecdotal.

If someone has a line that they can be reasonably sure is not passing on genetic defects and can fairly well predict what to expect out of the line, what would be your reasoning behind the blanket statement that you should not breed on the first heat?

Not trying to offend anyone, just trying to learn something.

[Windkist]

I bring these points up because I would like to learn from others about this issue as well, but there isn't much education going on here. Most are saying it's too young but I'm not seeing any supporting evidence, either analytical or anecdotal.

If someone has a line that they can be reasonably sure is not passing on genetic defects and can fairly well predict what to expect out of the line, what would be your reasoning behind the blanket statement that you should not breed on the first heat?

Not trying to offend anyone, just trying to learn something.

Tim,

I don't think anyone here is trying NOT to answer the question but, what we are saying is that there isn't a good reason to breed a bitch on her first season especially if she is 9-10 months old. If she was 18 months then I'd say yes go for it if she is a good represenative of the breed and has something to offer. A puppy at 9 months will likely not be mature enough (mind or body) to become a good mother nor will you know what her potential is. If you have a stud dog getting old then use another bitch or ask a buddy if you can breed to one of his. Just because a bitch can have a season doesn't make her a good candidate to breed and while she may very well whelp and raise puppies you've set her back by taking the time out of her life breeding her when she is prime to be learning whatever it is you want her to do. So, yes! by age alone I would say that waiting is the best answer.

Leah

[RiverBottom]

None of you answered the question. Yes, it is physicaly OK to breed a dog on it's first heat. Won't hurt her at all. Happens with livestock and wildlife all the time.

Chop, I would trust what your vet tells you more than anything you read on the computer.

[Tim H]

Leah,

I understand your position but what I'm not seeing is evidence that is strong enough to support how strongly you are stating your position.

A puppy at 9 months will likely not be mature enough (mind or body) to become a good mother nor will you know what her potential is.

At 9-10 months old you sure can know what the mothers potential is as far as performance and conformation. You never know what a mothers potential is to be a good mother until you have the first litter. I will give you that the odds might increase with age but that's not for sure either.

If you have a stud dog getting old then use another bitch or ask a buddy if you can breed to one of his.

If the stud is getting up in age and you think that it is the best stud for breeding to this bitch, is your evidence really so strong that it really supports abandoning the breeding?

while she may very well whelp and raise puppies you've set her back by taking the time out of her life breeding her when she is prime to be learning whatever it is you want her to do.

I've seen dogs not run a rabbit until 3 years old and do just fine, so I don't agree with that being strong evidence for not breeding on first heat.

I know there are a lot of people who are stating that it is never OK to breed on the first heat cycle, I would just like some hard evidence that supports the position. What you have given me are your thoughts on it and not evidence. I'm not saying your thoughts are not valid, I do appreciate them, they just aren't evidence of the negative results of breeding on the first heat cycle.

I'm seeing all the strong and absolute statements about not breeding on the first cycle. Most of the time when someone makes a strong statement they have strong reasoning behind it based on facts. I'm assuming that is true on this issue as well. I want to hear that strong reasoning based on facts so I can have the information to help me form my own opinion.

[chapkosbeagles]

i dont plan on breeding her now but i just thought with all the exsperienced breeders that it would be a good question

[Windkist]

I'm seeing all the strong and absolute statements about not breeding on the first cycle. Most of the time when someone makes a strong statement they have strong reasoning behind it based on facts. I'm assuming that is true on this issue as well. I want to hear that strong reasoning based on facts so I can have the information to help me form my own opinion.

No need for reasoning.. Good common sense should apply

Leah

[Tim H]

Common sense is based on good reasoning, isn't it?

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

Tim,

I don't think we want our 13 year old daughters having babies. I have to agree with the consenus on this one. I agree there are certain dogs that could handle an early litter but why would we want to risk early breedings? I think these young dogs need more time to develop mentally and physically. Just my opinion.

Ed

[Tim H]

Ed,

We don't want our 20 year old daughters having baby's with their cousins, grandfathers, uncles or nephews but it's generally accepted with our hounds. I have mostly felt the same way about breeding at a young age but this post got me to wondering if the reasoning was sound. So I've asked some questions. I still haven't heard solid convincing evidence that it would have such terrible negative effects that it should never be done.