I have a 5 yr. old rottwieller who is in heat. My 2 part question is: is she too old to have puppies now; and I heard that I can not mate her with her brother, is this true?

At 5 years old she is really too old to have her first litter. Besides, she would need to be hip-scored, elbow-scored and eye-tested before mating (and so would the sire) to prevent you being sued by the people who bought the pups and they turned out to be "faulty".

A very close in-breeding such as you are contemplating should only be undertaken by a very experienced breeder who knows all the genetic strengths and weaknesses of the line - as well as fixing good points it will also accentuate the bad.

Don't do it.

Hi Guest

Like Jean has said, a mating this close together would need alot of experience in the breed and lines of your dog, please dont do it. :)

one of our bitches had her first litter at five but as jeangenie quite rightly said you must make sure your bitch has had all her BVA tests hips,elbows, eyes and anything else which is relavent to your breed.
In addition we are experianced breeders it may not be advisable for you to mate a five year old bitch if you have no previous experiance you will have a higher than normal chance of having problems! i think ther would have to be a very good reason for breeding from a five year old bitch not just that you fancy a litter or you want a litter before she`s to old!.
and please dont use her brother over her your asking for problems you need years of experiance and a world of knowledge on all the dog s in her pedigree to even consider a brother ,sister mating