9 Year old Female

ridge hunter · Post by **ridge hunter** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:03 pm

I have a 9 year old female that is an excellent rabbit dog. She is in very good health and I run her with my other dogs about 4 times a week. She has only been bred 1 time when she was 3 years old. She had 15 pups in that litter and lost all of them. ( I did not own her at that time ). I would love to be able to get a couple of pups from her but I am afraid to breed her because of her age. I don't want to do anything that may hurt her. What do you all think?

S.R.Patch · Post by **S.R.Patch** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:12 pm

Holy Cow!!! 15 pups...

Well, if she's still cycling and in good health, I would give it a go. But, I would have a brood matron to help wet-nurse the pups, as you may have another boat load of pups on your hands, but surely as she's aged the number of eggs may well have lessened also.
Best of luck...Patch

GR · Post by GR » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:40 am

I have raised several litters from females over nine years old. If she is in good health and you run her and she is in good shape there should be no reason why she couldn't raise pups. The question is why did she lose the last litter? Was it her fault or was it other circumstances.

ridge hunter · Post by **ridge hunter** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 5:00 pm

The guy just told me that it was too many for her to take care of. That is all that I know about it. I really appreciate your replies. This seem like the best place to find out what to do. Wish me luck...Thank You

illinois boy · Post by **illinois boy** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:37 am

i just got pups out of my 9 year old female she usualy had littlers of 11 the first 2 times bred and this time she had 6 but lost 3 and the other 3 are 2 weeks old and doing good.
i think u will be fine so long as she is in good health but after u have her bred continue to run her till about 2 weeks before she welps it seems to make the birthin easier on them so good luck

GR · Post by GR » Thu Mar 31, 2005 9:44 am

I agree with Illinois boy, I alsways run my pregnant females up to 7 - 8 weeks into the pregnancy. Keeping them in decent shape makes the whole process easier on them.