Recently at an AKC Dog Breeding Symposium held at Michigan
State University with key note speaker Dr. Claudia Orlandi Ph.D. (AKC's breeder
of the year and author of The ABC's of Dog Breeding) shocked many breeders when
it was disclosed that there have been scientific studies to show that it is
detrimental for bitches to skip heat cycles. It was shared that once you have begun
to mate a bitch that you should NOT skip any heat cycles until she is
completely finished breeding. A bitch is said to be "finished"
breeding when her litter size is drastically decreased. The study involved
following females that were bred every heat cycle and females that were bred
every other heat cycle. After they were "finished" breeding, the
bitches were spayed and their uterus dissected. Those showing most stress, and
damage of the uterus were the females that were bred "every other"
heat cycle. Part of the rational that skipping heat cycles is harmful stems
from the fact that with consecutive heat cycles there is no "flushing
action" of the uterus, that normally occurs by having a litter of
puppies.The female will go through Estrus no matter if she is bred or not and
by breeding a healthy bitch back to back,can lesson the chances of the female
experiencing pyometra, infections and false pregnancys. The choice to breed or
not, should be contingent upon the goals the breeder has and for sure the mental
and physical health of the female, above all else. The important information to
take away from this study, is that a breeder with healthy females, does have
"choices".
Some people will say that "you should not breed a
female before 2 years of age". However many experienced Breeders, will
bred healthy females at 1 year of age or a female's second heat. Many
"experienced" Breeders believe that breeding when the female is
mature will avoid Pyometra and fertility problems that can happen when the female
goes through too many heat cycles and is not spayed, or not bred. AKC registers
litters from: Females 8 months of age until 12 years of age AKC registers
litters from: Males 7 months of age until 12 years of age
AKC considers these ages "acceptable practice".
"Physically" a female should not be bred before
she is physically mature. Determining when physical maturity depends on when a
female comes into heat or estrus. The magic age of "2" years of age
came about when Xraying and grading hips through OFA began in an attempt to
eliminate or reduce the chances of Hip Dysplasia being passed on to puppies
from affected parents. In order to have a dog's hips evaluated and certified a
dog must be 2 years of age on the day the Xray is taken.This is the ONLY reason
that 2 years of age became common practice and no other reason. Some females
are mentally and physically ready to have pups at 1 year of age and some others
not until they are 3 years or more. Every female is different and it is up to
all breeders to know their dogs and do what is best for them.
Most people live
under the assumption that you are a puppy mill or Backyard breeder if you breed your bitch every
heat, which is not true at all. If any reproductive vet is contacted they will
all agree, that skipping heat cycles is not beneficial to your Bitch, and can
actually be dangerous. * information courtesy of AKC.org, abcsofdogbreeding.com and mylittepuppypaws.com
Our local Reproductive Vet, Wilson Animal Clinic of
Sterling Heights Mi, will agree with
this, skipping heats is not good for your dog. If you are a breeder, you should
not breed by the standards of other people's opinion(s), but by professional knowledge of people that
have studied this topic and know what they are talking about.
For further questions about this topic please feel free to contact a professional,our reproductive veterinarian at 586-939-4020.
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