Should a Bitch Have at Least One Litter?

Is it beneficial for her health, or is it an old wives' tale?

No. There is no medical or emotional need for a bitch to have a litter before she is spayed.

It is a common misconception that allowing a bitch to have one litter is in her best interests, will improve her health or will prevent medical problems later in life. There is no evidence that having a litter provides these benefits.

Dogs do not experience a human desire for motherhood and will not miss the opportunity to reproduce. Pregnancy, whelping and nursing a litter also carry genuine risks to the bitch and her puppies.

Possible risks of breeding

Even a carefully planned pregnancy can develop complications. Possible risks include:

Difficulty giving birth, known as dystocia
An emergency caesarean section
Haemorrhage
Uterine infection
Eclampsia caused by dangerously low calcium
Mastitis or other problems affecting milk production
Loss of puppies before, during or after birth
Rejection of the litter or an inability to nurse the puppies
The need to hand-rear puppies around the clock
Risk associated with anaesthesia and surgery

Emergency veterinary treatment can be needed without warning. Anyone planning a litter must have access to 24-hour veterinary care and sufficient funds to cover an emergency caesarean section and treatment for the bitch and puppies.

When should a bitch be spayed?

There are differing opinions about the most appropriate age to spay a bitch. The decision should take account of her breed, size, age, physical maturity, health and lifestyle.

There is no single age which is suitable for every dog. Your veterinary surgeon can discuss the individual benefits and risks and help you choose an appropriate time.

Health testing before breeding

If you decide to breed, both the bitch and the proposed stud dog should complete all health tests recommended for their breed. Tests should be completed and the results understood before a mating is planned.

Health testing helps breeders make informed decisions, but it cannot guarantee that every puppy will be healthy. Temperament, pedigree, genetic diversity, conformation and the overall welfare of both parents must also be considered.

Finding responsible homes

There is no guarantee that every puppy will find a suitable home by eight weeks of age, regardless of how carefully the litter was bred. The breeder must be prepared to keep any unsold puppies for as long as necessary.

Prospective owners may want evidence of appropriate health testing and may also ask whether the parents have demonstrated suitable temperament, conformation or working ability.

Changes in the economy and people's personal circumstances can also make responsible homes more difficult to find.

Lifetime responsibility

A responsible breeder remains available to support puppy owners throughout each dog's life. This includes being prepared to take a dog back if an owner's circumstances change.

A puppy may be returned within days, months or many years. Before breeding, consider whether you could accommodate or responsibly rehome one or more adult dogs from the litter in the future.

Before planning a litter, consider: health testing, suitable homes, veterinary costs, emergency care, hand-rearing, keeping unsold puppies and accepting lifelong responsibility for every puppy produced.

Please note: This information is not intended to replace veterinary advice. Discuss your bitch's individual health, spaying and any plans to breed with your veterinary surgeon.