My young homebred bitch (large gundog breed) has rear nipples that are very close together (both sides) approx 1/4 " apart. They all seem fully developed, but I am a bit concerned that if I do decide to mate her, that she may have problems feeding her puppies.
I have spoken to other breeders, and had various views, some saying that probably only one nipple per side will actualy supply milk and the other one will not enlarge, others have said that possibly both nipples won't function properly, others have said don't worry about it nature has ways of working these things out.
Her other nipples are all evenly spaced, it is just the the last two on each side, that are very close together.
I was thinking of asking the vet next time we are there for boosters, but to be honest I trust my vet on all things medical, but when it comes to breeding dogs, I feel there will be far more experience on this forum.
My bitch is fully health tested, Hips, elbows, eyes, DNA all excellent results. Both her parents are SH CH's and she herself has been well placed at Championship & Open Shows.
Has anyone else had bitches with nipples so close together ? Any experiences would be much appreciated.

They often have an odd number and sometimes in odd places have you asked the opinion of the vet as to if these are practical nipples so to speak or just for decoration.

I was going to ask him to check them next time we are there. All the nipples seem similar size and are well developed. Just that they are so close, not sure if quite large pups would be able to feed that closeley together.

I've had a fair look at a few bitches over the years and many do actually have nipples (generally extra ones though) close to others which do not function whilst lactating, so you may well be right in that only one will function but I would be surprised if both didn't, I've never actually seen that.

So just to clarify are you saying that she has 6 normal and then two close to the latter teats, or 8 normal and two next to the 8th teats?

At the worst even if she has 8 pups they will find a way to feed even with just 6 working teats, look at the Dam's who have over 8 and they manage just fine. :-)

The usual number is 10 but some bitches have fewer and some more.  I have had a couple of mien with one missing one side and a double one like you say the other and only one of those functional.

My bitches all seem to have an extra nipple really close to the last teat on one side.    Two bitches have had pups and on both occasions the extra nipple worked as well as the 'official' one.    I just put any slower pup on that nipple as they seemed to be giving a bit more for less effort, as pup would have 2 nipples in his mouth! ;)

I never thought to worry about them :) (I did find other things to worry about though ;) )

The only trouble one of mine had was with the first two nipples up under her front legs.   They were too flat for use but had 'milked' up.   I couldn't even express them, and no pup was able to feed from them.   They caused trouble after the pups were weaned and she had mastitis.    Her daughter didn't have any trouble in that area thank goodness!

interesting reading about other peoples bitches. My bitch has 16 teats but only 10 of these function when she had puppies earlier this year.

She has 10 teats the last two being close together. The average litter for the breed is 10 puppies. Litters of 12-15 are not uncommon. The lines I have tend to produce smaller litters, her mother was one of only 4 puppies, which is not a problem, give me quality over quantity every time !!!
Thanks for all the replies, makes very interesting reading.

I have a dog (male) with an extra one totally off line it is located in his armpit and yes it is a nipple and not a wart.

My small breed bitch had 3 pups and they made full use of all 10 teats, I thought they would have missed the 2 up by her armpit but No they found those too.

Just to update, she had her booster today so I asked the vet to check. She thinks all of the nipples will function as they are not false ones. She was completely unconcerned about it and said " just goes to show they are all different." Not sure if large pups will be able to feed so closely, but will just have to wait and see.
Not in any rush to have a litter, as I want to show her this season. Thanks for all the replies, at least I know she is not on her own !!!

Realised recently that my puppy bitch has two nipples such as you describe, very close to one another at second to her end ones by her lady bits. Very peculiar!