by 
quarkum
ANSWERS: 16
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Well after she has her first heat, it's safe physically. But many bitches are not ready emotionally to handle a litter. Only Mom and Dad can make that determination. Is yours ready? =)
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My mother in law had her first child at 19.
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I agree with vet_theory, 100%. Our general rule of thumb (my mom and I used to have a small kennel of Yorkies) was at least after two heats then it depended on the dog's personality and temperament.
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it kind of depends on the breed. Some can be ready after their second heat so they would be older than 1 year old. Many large breed dogs aren't ready then, though. We have Newfoundlands and we usual wait until they are over 18 months of age. And chihuahuas should be over two years old before they are bred as they must be fully grown AND mature because it is so physically taxing on them to have pups. Dogs have to be old enough so you can check them out physically as to their condition and fitness for breeding. They should be X-rayed for their hips at least over age one to be OFA certified. (It's meaningless to do it too early)
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You really shouldn't breed a dog younger than two. They can breed at 6 months, but it is not a good idea. Dogs that are bred too early don't grow to their full size, and often suffer other health issues because of it. Also, if you intend to breed responsibly you need to get CERF and OFA health certifications, which you can only apply to after a dog is 2. Personally, I would wait til 4.
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You need to wait until their second heat cycle. In some cases of smaller dogs, the bitch doesn't have her first heat cycle until she is over a year old. In that case, some say it is okay to breed her on that first cycle . . . I say wait until the second no matter what! I think it helps the bitch mature and makes it easier on her body to wait until the second heat cycle even in cases of not having a heat cycle until she is over a year old.
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I would wait until the dog was 2 years old because then they should be fully past all that puppy stuff and will be fully developed. You can also then have your vet check them for common hereditary problems common w/ their breed to make sure that you arent breeding hip dysplasia or something into their next generation.
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Depends on the biological maturity of the bitch.
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it depends on how old she is. dont breed her till she is over a year old that way she is mature enoughbecouse she is still a pup at six and seven months old thats to young
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Old enough to bleed, old enough to breed...
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SAFELY have a first litter after 2 years of age. By 2 her body will be ready to handle the tremedous stress of a litter (even a 2 year old ends up looking like a skeleton after giving birth), carrying a litter is very hard on female. If you breed before 2 her growth may be stunted and it could actually cause health problems. The other issue conserns the mental preparedness of the bitch. Some females still act like puppies until they are 3 and they shouldn't be bred until they are mentally mature. A litter of pups on a mentally immature female could mess her up, and it could leave you having to nurse and clean a litter of pups. Physically they can have a litter at first heat, but that would be like a 10-13 year-old having a baby.
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I was warned against breeding my bitch before the 2nd heat but she was 'got at' by the dog I would have bred her with on her 1st heat. Now my dog is 3 weeks pregnant, she seems tired as to be expected but coping with the changes all the same. I'm worried that she wont be a good mum as she is very mardy with us and now wont leave our side. I would most certainly have taken her for the morning after pill if i'd have seen this coming. I just hope with our support she will cope. I advise 2nd heat or after or even not at all.
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I have been in this discussion with others before. You can breed a dog at her first heat. If a dog is going to be a bad mom she will whether she is 6 months or 6 years. The thing with waiting until she's two or second heat is just taking precautions. It is harder on their bodies when they are that young and you should let them be puppies before having puppies.
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My dog has had a heat 3 - 4 times but still sorta acts like a puppy, i think. she is a miniture dacuhund/poodle mix so they are generally hyper. now she is on her 50th day of pregnancy and showing signs. will she cope well?
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I think she was the runt of the litter.
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in the second heat because it is not safe for dogs to be mated in the first heat
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