Hi
Just read on another thread that 8 is too old for breeding.
What is the ideal age for breeding, just curious.
Is there an age limit for the stud too?

Hi Dame, there are so many other things that need to be ideal, apart from age. Most will say not before a bitches 3rd season, but it also depends upon the breed too, body size, shape and mental maturity. Things like temprament, conformation to the breed standard, proven by consistently good results at shows or working events appropriate to the breed.
There are loads of things to take into account when deciding whether or not to breed a litter.

I will say though that 8 years is way too old for a first litter, but there are circumstances when it might be OK to have a last litter from an important bitch slightly over the 8 year mark.You would have to satisfy the Kennel Club of the circumstances well in advance though or the litter could not be registered.
Dawn R.

Oops, forgot to mention probably the most important thing. Good results on both parents health screening. Vet check-ups do not do!!
Dawn R.

Thanks Nursey
There does seem to be an awful lot of problems with breeding.
I never thought of breeding before, but have been intersted by reading these threads, I would love to learn about it, but am not sure I would want to do it, seems too problematic and very expensive as well as often heartbreaking.
I did not know dogs have to be 'shown' before breeding, or that dogs might be refused registration by the KC for instance, I have read about health screening.

I wonder how long it would take to learn how to be a good breeder?

best wishes

Every breeder learns something new with each litter, so it's an on going thing.  The first litter I bred was from my cocker spaniel, it ended up costing me £1300 (over one weekend) on vet bills as she went down with eclampsia :-(

Not all dogs have to be shown before breeding!!  If you are unsure whether your dog is of the quality for breeding showing it and seeing peoples interest and how judges place them does help.  There are many dogs out there who are not of show quality but have a brilliant pedigree behind them who produce champions!

You have to be in touch with people who know the breed and who can look at your dogs qualities and pedigrees and who can advise you on a suitable mate.

I've been in Spanish Water Dogs for nearly 12 years and I'm still only at the learning stage, anyone who says that they know everything etc. in just a couple of years isn't correct.

It's not compulsory for dogs to be shown before they are bred from, but it is sensible, because it means that unbiased people can assess your dog, so you learn whether it is a good enough specimen of the breed to make a litter worthwhile. We all think our own dogs are the best (!) but only about 10% of pedigree dogs are good enough to breed from. Showing a few times under different judges is the quickest way to get a true assessment.
:)

Just an opinion, but I hope if I ever say that there is nothing more to learn then I never breed another litter - theres always something to learn, and we have to all hope we dont learn it the heartbreaking way :(