>as prevention is always better than cure.
Well this is the things. From what I have read it sir likely that most of our dogs that do not live in a vacuum have been exposed to CHV.
So it only becomes an issue if the virus activates during pregnancy whelping etc.
Now as this doesn't happen with most litters, then why does it happen with a few, and should we actually be doing something to help the issue. Are we in danger of breeding in a weakness/pre-disposition, which of course I'd rather avoid.
My breed has always been a natural hardy breed who have natural mating and rearing behaviour.
From abroad mainly the US I hear of more bitches unwilling to mate, C sections, small litters etc etc.
In the UK in the past litters of 10 - 14 pups were not uncommon, yet looking at the progeny details of many sires and bitches my own average over 21 litters of 5.9 pups reared (range 3 - 9) seems to be better than average???
Now some of this may be due to the fact we tend to not breed from our bitches until they are generally nearer three than two, and many bitches are closer to five with a first litter, and males get very few mating opportunities, so am sure that must affect fertility as they age.
Disappointing and sad as it often is, should we be letting nature take it's course more????