hiya all, i've a friend who is insisting that he will be fine too breed from his bitch, even though she is only 12 months old...
i have tryed always to turn him off the idea, but cannot  get through. this is only her 2nd season.
what does everyone think?

at least 18 months and preferably over 2 years old :(

I think if you talk to a lot of vets they say second season is fine BUT the breed club I belong to insist over 2 years and this is far better (although one branch says whelp over 2 years the other says mate over 2 years!).  The bitches are fully mature and much more able to cope.

It will depend on the breed, the breed club are the best source of advise as they represent the largest concensus within the breed.

As the others ahve said in most breeds it is over two years of age.  In some toy breeds 18 months is prefered, because they mature quicker and being so small breeders prefer to maximise the chances of easy whelping in a supple young bitch, as they often have small litters with relative to their size, large pups.

t6here really is no hurry to breed from msot bitches, but it is a good idea for the first litter to be born before they are five, as again they start to loose their elasticity, and to some extent the maternal instinct can become dulled.

I've always believed it's best to wait till a bitch is at least 2 years.  gives her time to be a puppy before the strains of motherhood, and lets her develop her body and mind.  My girl is due her first litter this month and she is a steady and mature bitch  with a good temperament,  whereas at 12 months she was still a playful puppy and easily exciteable.

My 2. 1/2 year old Champion bitch has just passed the crucial mating days on her 3rd season and we have resisted the temptation to mate her to our Champion  dog. We just can`t wait to see what they will produce for us as this has been in the planning since we bought her in at 7 weeks.The first infact we have bought in for 23 years(apart from a ch import) as we have always introduced new blood to our line via the males.
I tell this because even when you have been breeding a long time the excitment is still there and the impatience to get on with it.
Your friend I am sure wants to produce quality puppies at the same time doing the best for his bitch I`m sure. Not knowing what breed it is is difficult to access how much it will affect her future growth(maturing) by putting her in whelp before her body and mind maybe ready for it.
Dosen`t sound as though he has read up very much in preparation does it.You can`t stop him can you? You`ll be able to say "I told you so" though if anything goes wrong. Hopefully for the bitches sake I hope it dosen`t
Tiggey

thanx for all your reply's
i am of course in full favour of your views, the breed in question is a staffordshire bull terrier
i am still trying to talk him out of the idea, but he will do has he wants,
valhav all the best for your due litter, and wishing them all a safe arrival
kind regards to you all
mark

I don't suppose appealing to his conciece may not help.

It seems that many shelters are overun with Stffs and staff crosses.  Maybe if he realises that his pups could end up like them, or their offspring???

I went to my local Dogs home about two years ago with our Christmas raffle proceeeds, and all the litters they had in were of Staff cross pups (3 litters at the time), all black brindle.  Now for some reason black dogs are the hardest to rehome.

i have a staff bitch i took her to be breeded when she was 18 mths old even though she was on the right day to be breed showing all the signs when we got her to the stud 4 severel reasons she was having none of so we came away with nothing but looking back i think i took her to young and iam glad nothing came of iam thinking of breeding her again onher next season ( about april time ) but i might even wait a bit longer has she can still be very puppy like in her behaviour so i havent decided yet i think youre friend needs to realise they are still pups and if the stud dog is to big for her it could do her more harm than good

i think you should tell you friend he's crazy you should wait till the bitch is at least 2

Unfortunately some people will breed at a very early age and if they are not a member of a breed club there isn't a single thing that you can do!!  Unfortunately people still buy from these kind of people.  I would not breed from mine until they are two.  I'm awaiting for one of my girls to come into season who will be 5 later this year and this will be her second litter.