I have asked Vets, Breeders, & GSP owners & I am confused by different bits of information that I am hearing ! What is the earliest age that you should breed a GSP bitch ? Some say not untill she is 2 . Others say the 2nd heet is fine . Others say as long as she is full grown ( which is about 9 months ). Can anyone clear this up for me ? On the other end of the spectrum , what is the oldest that a bitch should be to allow her to breed ?

I would say not before she is 2 years old. Paople used to say 2nd heat, but now it's generally considered kinder to let them have their youth themselves. She certainly won't be fully grown at 9 months!!!

As for oldest to breed - for a first litter, not after 3 and a half. For subsequent litters, the KC won't register them if the bitch is older than 8.

Hope this helps.

Hi J/Genie, are you sure about dogs not having a first litter after the age of 3 1/2yrs? I thought it was 5yrs.
Christine, Spain.

Hi Christine,
The 3 and a half years isn't a "Rule" as such, laid down by any authority such as KC, it's just that many people with medium sized breeds such as this find that after about that age (it can be extended to about 4 years) they tend to have more problems during pregnancy, and that whelping can be much more difficult. Some are fine, and you get away with it, but I wouldn't want to risk a bitch of mine after that age.

Personal opinion only!!!

Our breed clubs code of ethics advises a first litter before the age of five, and insists a bitch doesn't whelp under two years of age, and has no more than four litters in her lifetime.

The KC ruling generally for all breeds won't register a litter born to a bitch under 12 months or over 8 years (though special application cahn be made for an older bitch), and they won't register more than 6 litters from any bitch.

Hi B/less, thats what I thought, thanks. I bred my Ch. bitch when she was a month or so before her 4th birthday & she had no problems.
Christine, Spain.

Snap, I bred my bitch at 5 years & 6 months, first litter (She is a Large Munsterlander, so not so different size-wise to a GSP) and she whjeklped 14 pups no problems. Her 2nd litter at 7 years, again 14 pups, no problems. It is more to do with the physical fitness of the bitch too. I know a Cocker who whelped before she was 2 and had to have a Caesarian but she was totally out of condition, so age isn't everything!

Hi, have you thought about joining your breed club? You will get a year book which will list all the breeders that are also members and you may find a better quality stud dog eventually and make contact with very experienced breeders, some of whom may be very helpful. You will learn a lot about the breed too. She definately is not fully grown at 9 months - nowhere near - and I would disregard any advice you get from those who recommend breeding under 2 years old. Lots of people have been breeding for years , but it doesn't make them good reptuable breeders and doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with the correct experience!! Dont forget to find out which hereditary tests your breed requires as different breeds have different hereditary problems. The breed club will help you with that information. Also vets just look at things clinically, rather that what is in the best interests for the breed. A bitch under 2 years may be capable of rearing a litter but not being fully grown it may put her development back and she may not be emotionally mature enough to cope as well as she would later. Let her be a baby and a teenager and then perhaps breed her on her first season after 2 years old. Out of interest why are you going to breed from her - have you shown her and has she done well? Please be aware that bitches do sometimes die whelping, and may lose all the puppies too and you be left with a huge vets bill and no dogs. I wouldn't go into breeding unless you can cover the "tab" and be prepared emotionally for disaster - it is not always a happy event.

The GSP Club code of conduct states that you should not breed from a bitch forn then once every 12 months or before the age of 2 or over the age of 8, nor should a stud dog be allowed to serve btiches outside of these ages. Ingrid