Evening,

Could I please ask your advice?

How many litters do you feel is OK for a bitch to have in her lifetime - I have a large working dog?  My opinion has always been no more than three if she has had large litters.  For example my girly had 10 in her 1st litter, 9 in her 2nd and 9 in her 3rd. 

Would you consider it unethical to have a 4th litter from her as she has had 3 large litters?

My personal view is YES!

Yet she is perfectly healthy, looks fab, is in tip top condition and is 6 in October.

I only ask because I know several breeders with bitches older than mine who are on their 4th BIG litter.  If mine had only produced 3 small litters my thoughts would be different.  I am also asking as I have just mated her daughter who missed last time, I am doubtful of her being able to have puppies (dont know why but she will stay with me for life as I bred her).  Her daughter took TWO 1sts at Crufts last year and I have 6 people waiting for babies.

What are your thoughts please?

What do you think?

My personal view is that 3 is enough.

Linda

I think 3 litters from a 5 year old large breed bitch is going some too.

> How many litters do you feel is OK for a bitch to have in her lifetime

Depends on the bitch and her lifetime.

One who has one litter and has problems, poor puppies or comes through the whole process badly then one's enough.
Another shells them like peas, produces better than herself,comes out the other side of the litter looking a million dollars then 2 or 3 litters could be considered taking into consideration the state of the breed as a whole.
Having a 4th litter from her would be greed - unless your whole kennel had been wiped out or this bitch was found to be the only clear dog in a restricted gene pool with genetic problems. IMHO

I've had large litters from both my bitches and considered 2 enough - the number of pups equates to 3 average litters.

I think it depends on the bitch and what they are producing and how many pups they have. 

Its a bit like humans some are fabulous mums and love it and others cant wait to get away from their puppies.  My eldest champion bitch loves being a mum and even before she was one used to help her mum out.  She has had 3 litters but I dont know if we would have 4 or not really.  I always mate mine quite early around 2 years anyway as my own opinion is they go up quicker.

I think it is something you personally have to decide.  I wouldnt condemn anyone one way or another really. :)

I would only have another litter from her if you find you need to keep another pup from her because you can't breed from the daughter or get your lines back through earlier offspring.  Of course this assumes she has been a very good producer.

Otherwise I would say that she has had enough in three litters to make a contribution to the bred.