We have a 6 month old male rottie who we bought as a pet rather than for breeding purposes, but now we are considering in buying a bitch for max as a companion first and foremost, with the option of breeding if we so wish.
Would it be a good time to get a bitch now or wait until max is older?.

We would be grateful for any of your comments

Tracey :D

Unless you have the facility to seperate them when the bitch is in season, then you should not consider geting him a bitch companion.

As for breeding, how will you know if he will be the best suited mate for her? You will have noo idea how she will turn out, ajnd as yet no idea how your boy will finish up. The only good reason to breed is to improve maintain the quality of the breed.

You would only wish to take one or two litters from your pair, so what are you going to do the rest of the time when she comes in season. bitches do not have a menopause. Even if you have her spayed after bree3ding, you will have to keep them apart for probably 5 consecutive seasons, as a Rottie should be around 2 1/2 to 3 years at lest before being bred from.

By all meand get a companion for him, but wait until he is two or 3 years old and well trained, anjd have one or other neutered.

Max comes from a very good line and we do have alot of contact with the breeder, who has bred rotties for 25 years along with Joan Blackmore, in fact max descends from her line.
We do have alot of contact with the breeder if we have any questions and have found them very helpful.
We have touched very lightly on the breeding subject, and they have said they would help all they can, but there are alot of things to consider, as you so kindly pointed out.
We think that it is important to get as much feedback as possible from people who are experienced in these matters.

Thank you for your comments, they are issues that we will take into consideration.

Tracey :D

I would then be guided by your breeder. If they are a respected breeder and think your boy is outstanding when he matures, she may recomend him as a potential stud to fellow breeders wanting to use her lines. Most serious breederws will pick their potential Studs from dogs they see at shows, where they can studyt them, check their bloodlines and suitability for their bitch. After all a breeder has the choice of using the top males in the breed.

Also in a dominant breed the occasional use of a pet dog at stud may make him less easy to own as a pet.