To Breed Or Not To Breed - That Is The Topic!

[MarkArcher]

Have a Pedigree Bullmastiff and considering breeding her. A Kennel in Bangkok has a male of a different blood line and not sure if people will want the puppies. Anyone in the area interested or know of anyone that might be??

Also heard it might be better not to breed on her first time in heat - is this true?

Also any advice from an experienced breeder would be welcome....

[thaimiller]

I have always been told never to breed on the first heat, and never consecutive heats on all breeds of dogs. People do though.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I breed on the first heat. And on the first date, too.

[nicksal37]

Has the male from Bangkok sent her flowers yet?

[little_muppet]

ohhhh i want to see the dog please post the pic. I have great dane here but they r getting old already .

[CMSteve]

Definitely not on the first heat, maybe not even the first few heats. Gotta give her time to be fully develop so you know what you are breeding. Same goes for the stud. Needs to be old enough to know what traits are going to be passed.

sorry, don't know what kind of demand there is locally. good luck.

[Nienke]

Gosh no, don't breed her on her first heat. Not even on the second or third one. She's a large breed dog which matures slowly. Now she's still a puppy in a big body.

That she has a pedigree still doesn't say that much about the physical and mental health of the dog and the blood line.

Even at the Crufts dogs with hereditary defects become number 1. Here and elsewhere it isn't much better.

Watch this and the other 5 parts:

So, for breeding your dog, I suggest you first find out about her litter-mates and all the other dogs from her bloodlines. The same for the male dog. Find out about their physical and mental health. If that's okay, you may consider breeding her. But if you find hereditary defects, please do NOT breed her as she will pass it on (for which YOU are responsible).

Hereditary defects that exists in the Bull Mastiff:

Entropion, Hip and elbow displasia, retina displasia, Progressive retina atrophy, Cerebellaire Ataxia, Wobbler syndrome, Brachycefal obstruction syndrome, Mastcel tumor, Pulmonasis stenose, Lymphoma Sources: http://rashondenwijzer.nl/rashond/Bullmastiff_/18 , http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/breed/bull-mastiff

Then, read up about:

* commercial dog food and how it can effect health, what does a label really say,

* (over) vaccinations, too early vaccination, multi-vaccines, and the side-effects (which is a lot and what often is not told to you by the vet). Keep in mind that MORE vaccinations does NOT give more immunity. However, it does increase the chance on side-effects,

* what is a proper whelping box for a large breed dog

* how to take care of the bitch before mating, during pregnancy and after whelping.

* how to properly take care of the puppies.

* what to do when something along the line goes wrong with mother dog and /or puppies

* etc.

In case for whatever reason the mother dog is not able to feed her pups. Do you have time to take over. Meaning feeding them initially every two hours, day and night?

As a responsible breeder you should know about the importance of socialization, which starts once the pups are born. The pups should go to their new homes not younger than 7 weeks of age, thus you need to have sufficient time for the early socialization and toilet training of the pups.

Last but to least, make sure you have GOOD homes for the pups before you mate her. Make sure that the buyers have the intention to keep and properly care for their dog till the end of the life of the dog.

[Beetlejuice]

I breed on the first heat. And on the first date, too.

Yes I know, but are you of good pedigree?

My father had me sterilised when I was a child after he discovered we had Welsh ancestors. Dad said if the word got out, it would bring us great dishonour and shame.

[harrry]

I breed on the first heat. And on the first date, too.

Yes I know, but are you of good pedigree?

My father had me sterilised when I was a child after he discovered we had Welsh ancestors. Dad said if the word got out, it would bring us great dishonour and shame.

pity not one generation earlier.