I have a very healthy bitch aged three years who sucessfully whelped a healthy litter early October 2009, she then went on to have her regular season 6 months later. We planned a repeat mating for this year but the bitch has come into season 4 weeks earlier than due and has mated (I have the stud dog too). This will mean the puppies will appear (if in whelp) just over 11 months after the last litter and I am now concerned that this may be a problem. I have searched on the KC and the Code of Ethics does not say anything in relation to frequency, I naively thought that you had to have a clear season between litters - if she had come in on time we would be fine but she is early!  What is the score with 11 months between litters - I do not want to put myself at risk or the bitch although she is very fit, healthy, vacinnated wormed, insured and well cared for and underwent a routine healthcheck prior to mating! I am seeking advice please as to the way forward and please do not judge me on this as I want the best for the bitch and puppies and we have bred to keep a puppy as we always have done! Any useful help appreciated for a concerned small scale breeder!

sounds fine to me, she sounds healthy, but im not sure of the kennel clubs rules in your country sorry

No problem in the UK as long as your not a 'Registered breeder' (requiring a Local Authority License).  Such breeders are not supposed to have a litter for a clear 12 months.

i am wanting to mate one of my girls next time, luckily she seems to be holding on with her season and her daughter will be 8 months at the end of this week.  She only had two pups and the breed average at the moment I think is 7.  Ten weeks after the pups you couldn't even tell she was pregnant and she is extremely fit.

As has been said as long as you are not a registered breeder there is no problem, don't know about accredited breeders though?

The Kennel Club will register the litter although they prefer a year. They say if it becomes a habit they will write to the breeder

They say if it becomes a habit they will write to the breeder

Their idea of a habit, and mine must be completely different then if you read the BRS many people knock out litters quite regularly at 6 month intervals from the same poor bitch (not talking about the OP here, just commenting on the idea that the KC will act)

i have to agree wid u sarah, sometimes i understand mistakes can happen and sometimes yes the mother is not  fully on time like on the above occasion which is also ok but i disagree with people that breed there dogs every six months just to make money this is not fair on the dogs if you dnt luv your dogs truley then dont have them and it makes me mad that even when you tell the kennel club that certain people are breeding there dogs every 6 months they dnt give a dam they just say MISTAKES HAPPEN although my dogs r K.C Reg to me it means nufink K.C r only init for the money not for the well being of dogs. Sorry Kennel Club but truth hurts ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Hi taggabags

It happened to me a couple of years back.  One of my maiden girls had her first litter of 2 pups and was fully recovered well before her next season (which she was NOT mated on.) 

The vet said that it wasn't so much the carrying of the litter that dragged them down but the rearing of large litters, so put that down to her regaining fitness so fast.

He agreed that he had no problem for her to be mated on her next season (after her resting season.)

She came in early.  So her first litter was born at the end of January, and her second litter was born early January of the following year.

So when people talk about breeding bitches too close together, I think you need to know the background.  My girl had 2 pups both times (which were for me), and I had no problem with registering them.  I don't think that I was overbreeding my girl, and I see no problem with you registering 2 litters that didn't quite make the 12 months break.

Thanks all for your posts, I am not a registered breeder as we do not breed to sell so to speak and this will be only my third litter in 16 years!  I have established the KC will register them and I know I will not be one of those who "repeat" the mistake as I do not expect to breed again for a good few years after this litter if she is in whelp so should not give them any cause for concern and as said four weeks short is hardly back to back matings as some appear to do!!!

Now to get to work to see if she is in whelp and support her thorugh the pregnancy, she had a litter of five last time all reared with not a single problem and the most easiest of deliveries - just praying for same again.

Thanks once again.

Good Luck- I hate the waiting to know...