The American Beagler Forum

I have a bitch that will be 11 in July that just came in heat and Im womdering what your thoughts are on breeding her. I dont need thoughts on who to breed to. The last time she was bred was a year ago and the litter was a disaster. There was lots of deformities and none of the pups made it. The last pup died around day 4 and it seemed that she was very high strung/crazy acting the last litter. Its not an easy decision to make for me cause by far this is one of the toughest running bitches I have ever seen run and the only two dogs I have left off her will be 9 in July. If any of you have breed a female this old how did things go. I also thought about having a c section done on her if I do breed her. Do you think this might help the pups chances of making it.

I wouldn't breed her again.

Bobby Vest wrote:I wouldn't breed her again.

I agree. To much stress for her.

I am sorry to say, I agree. I would'nt breed her again.

If you do decide to breed her, I sure wouldn't breed her to the same male as before. Something was sure wrong with that blood mix!

Her age wouldn't make any pups she has be anything other than normal pups.

As others said, Mother Nature will do the controlling whether she can have pups or not. It'll vary with each dog, whether male or female.
Her physical condition will dictate whether she will come in heat, and breed and after that, Mother Nature will dictate whether she will carry the pups or abort and lose them and when born Mother Nature will once again dictate whether she will have enough milk or any at all. All this is as true with a young dog as it is with an old dog. If all the above goes positively for you and her, then its easy to say she was meant to have pups.
Age doesn't figure in at all.

Its like asking an old married couple at what age will ya'll quit having sex?

As others have mentioned,I wouldn't breed her.
Alabama John.I have to respectfully disagree with you.AGE does have a whole lot to do with her sucess and/or failure to produce and raise a healthy litter.Older females whether it be dogs or women are much more prone to having problems in their pregnancys through the gestation period [carrying the litter ] and dilivery.The chances of birth deffects are also much higher as with older women the % of Down's Syndrome increases considerably.The uterus of an older female is thinner/weaker than that of a younger bitch and often is not as capable of supporting fetal growth and nourishment as it needs to be.
John, as you mentioned Mother Nature will dictate whether she can have and/ or raise pups.Well, I would say that Mother Nature gave you a pretty good indication with her last attemped breeding that you said was a disaster and she wasn't good acting with them that she shouldn't be bred again at her advanced age.
I would try getting something out of one of those 9 year olds if you really want to hang on to some of her blood.Just my 2 cents worth.

I've heard that the eggs of an older bitch arn't as good as those of a younger dog. Higher chance of deformities. That's why there is also a higher risk of problems in women over 40.

I strongly disagree, If you want to keep her blood alive ....BREED her, What have you got to loose? I recently had a litter from a 10 yrold female and an 11 yrold male, She only had 3 pups but they were HEALTHY, STRONG, and NORMAL. Both dogs had been gunned over HARD all season (3-4 days a week) at the time they were bred, THAT would have alot to do with a strong litter. If she's heathy and in shape DO IT. However I don't think I would breed her to the same male as before, Something don't mix with that cross. JMHO