Hi all.
Just a quick question about breeding. Does the bitch have to be a certain age before you can breed her.    

Yes

Helpful kazz..... Why bother if you cant say more than that?

Kazz answered the question that was asked, Timhere. A more detailed reply would require more background knowledge (breed etc) than was given, so in that case it is better not to give misleading information.
:)

I think they they are her breed tho!

Surely "guest, this is not my area of expertise but as a general rule a MINIMUM age of 12 months before breeding"

I still have no idea what breed the guest has, Timhere! But to be perfectly honest, the only correct (detailed) answer to the question has to be that the bitch must be old enough to come into season. After all, that's when she can be bred from - when it is physically possible. If the guest is asking when a bitch should first be bred from, then that's an entirely different question. We don't even know if this is a pedigree bitch at all, so even info about KC registration may be completely irrelevant! That's why it's best to only answer the question asked, to avoid insulting the guest by making wrong assumptions.
:)

As the subject title is 'Breeding Staffs', so would assume it's Staffordshire Bull Terriers :D ;)

M.

My mistake! :o

Yes if the bitch is KC reg regs states over 12 months but ideally 2 years old and pref 3rd or 4th season we have just mated Ruby red staff 21/2 years old and just had her 4th season so should know in about 3 to 4 weeks time.

you would be best to wait until the 2nd season at least to give your bitch time to mature :-)

Timhere please keep your childish comments to yourself. This is not meant to be a place to berate other people. The question was simply put and simply answered. Guest should have given more info to us to go on so that we could give an informative answer!

Since I pointed out how unhelpful the first response was others seem to have managed to give a helpful and constructive response.

Shame you missed the opportunity to gain the moral high ground and give a 'helpful and constructive response' yourself! ;) :D

Guest,

It is believed by responsible breeders who care for their dogs that it is wise to wait until around the 3rd season or 2 years of age.  However, please note that it is obviously possible for a bitch to get pregnant on her first season, but not wise as they are not physically or mentally mature and may have problems giving birth or rearing a healthy litter, resulting in large vet bills and possibly no puppies.

If your bitch is KC registered, the KC will not register puppies born from a bitch who was mated before she was 12 months of age, so she would have to be at least 14 months of age before giving birth.

As with all breeds, Staffies have recommended health checks which should be completed to ensure that puppy buyers are not open to take the breeder to court for negligence.  Someone who knows your breed will no doubt point these out.

Also, you should check that your bitch is of a good enough standard to breed from, or you may find it very hard to sell puppies and may have lots of unsold dogs eating you out of house and home, quite literally. :D

Hope that helps.

M.

Guest,
if you love your dog and want to be a reputable and ethical breeder then you will heed the above post :)

Hi Guest,

Did not mean to be rude however it appears I may have been. In answer to your question Yes a bitch be she Stafford or otherwise does have to be a certain age before you breed from her.

How old is your bitch?

Karen

kazz answered the question.what the problem?if the guest wanted a more detailed answer she would have asked a more detailed question.
i know thw kc says 12 months.but my dogs arent kc staffs but irish and american bulls.i would never breed or any1 i know wud breed from anything younger than 18 months.ideally shud be 2 when fully matured physically and mentally.
plus also if your bitch is worth breeding.ask yourself willl you be contributig to bettering your breed if you breed your bitch?if not then dont breed.

pyndath makes a good point, the bigger types of staffie (Irish / american) take longer to mature and should not be bred from until they are on their 2nd season at least, preferably 3rd.