A breeder's bitch has died after givng birth to 16pups. This poor poor dog has had 2 previous litters of 9 and 8 less than 7months apart in 2002 (accidental mating). Is it acceptable practice to have mated her again or let her continue carrying so many pups?

The number of pups may not have been known and a vet would view the year + between the last 2 litters as no problem. Two litters within 7 months is not acceptable and must be rare as most bitches would not come in as quickly as that.

Although this is very sad it is not unusual and probably nothing to do with when or the number of litters, it is a sad fact that a lot of bitches die each year either giving birth or in whelp and it is a real risk that we tell people of when they are talking about breeding their family pet and have know idea what they are doing. Loosing a bitch is bad enough but to then try to rear the pups and watch them fade away one by one is if anything even worse.