IS IT BENEFICIAL FOR A BITCH TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE LITTER, OR IS IT AN OLD WIVES TALE

It is a very common mis conception that a bitch should have at least one litter as 'it is in their best interest for their overall health and will avoid problems in the future'. There is no medical evidence to support this theory, and having a litter can have have its own health problems from infections to emergency C sections - and as anyone knows, there is always a risk with any kind of surgery.

Dogs are not like humans, they do not feel broody, and will not miss the opportunity to reproduce.

A google search has revealed a vast differing of opinion, vets will push for bitches to be spayed as early as six months, sometimes before their first season, but there is strong evidence to suggest that this can cause more harm than good and they need to mature first, more information on that subject can be found HERE.

In addition to to the article above, you need to prepare for the possibility you could be left with unsold puppies well after eight weeks and it is only right that you are prepared to provide life time back up for new puppy owners should their circumstances change.  It is quite possible you may end up having a puppy returned sooner or even years later, should the new owners’ circumstances change.

There are various health checks that are required to be carried out, these tests are to ensure that the health of certain breeds as a whole is monitored and more importantly, improved. 

When people purchase pedigree puppies they are often looking for quality and are interested whether the bitch has been successful either in the show ring, obedience or other working capacity.  That said, in the current economic climate there is no guarantee that even the best bred litter of puppies will find suitable homes and this is another factor to take into account.

If you do decide to breed from your bitch you may find this article of interest HERE.