I read that 8 years is too old for a dame to have first litter??? If the dog is in excellent condition, fit and healthy.. never been bred before... what difficulties could be expected???

I am not sure whether this is a genuine question or a wind-up?

8 years is much too old. The cut off limit for KC registration is 7 years without seeking special permission and it would be very unlikely to grant it with a dog having a first litter at 8!

8 years of age is old for any breed to have a first litter, but I would suspect that you would be risking the life of a Dane if it was to have puppies at this advanced age.

Don't even think about it!

Snomaes

KC Same as AKC???? please explain??? NO WIND UP???

This is a UK based board - KC = Kennel Club (The) NOT AKC.  I agree 8 year is waaaaaaaaaaay too old for a first litter - it's like asking a woman in her 50's to bear a child and expect it to be healthy.  If you have a dog you love, and want a similar puppy, why not contact your original dogs breeder and investigate the blood lines with a view to getting a puppy from similar lines?

I've given up the prospect of having a litter from my ultrafit 6 year old! were it a second litter I would be quite happy about mating my Anna but because pressure of work has ruled that out and she is now 6 years old I have resigned myself to not mating her.

Regards, John

The cut off age is actually 8 with our KC.  My Miranda had her second litter aged 7 years & 5 months old and the pups were all registered without any special permission.

Yes, with the UK Kennel Club the litter must be born before the bitch's 8th birthday.

But it is still far too old for a first litter. Second or third, okay. First - no way.

I wasn't saying I thought it was ok to mate a bitch for her first litter at 8, merely correcting what had been written above by snomaes.

Hello
If you go to the following link to the AKC site you will get your answer.

http://www.akc.org/love/faq.cfm?page=6#agelimits

Hope this helps
Regards
Joan

CRIKEY! Did I read that correct? Do they really allow puppies from up to 12 year old bitches? That is obscene!

I agree John. It's disgusting. Hopefully the AKC will review its regulations this century! Talk about living in the Dark Ages! :rolleyes:

Hello John

Thats why I put the link on I thought I was reading it wrong.

Joan

Just glad I dont live in America then! How on earth can they justify breeding from 11 year old dogs?

Regards, John

Worship of the Almighty Dollar, John.

And from bitches as young as 8 *months*! What on earth is the AKC thinking of??!

What is the AKC thinking of?????  More litters mean more dollars............  You don't tell your customer he can't do something if he's going to pay you if he can.........

The States not the only place allows it either, so does Spain.

Christine, Spain.

You do if you have any ethics.... :)

8 years is way too old for a bitch to safely whelp her first litter.

OMG!!!  how could you even think of letting her have a first litter at this age  :-(

Have you just got this female?? is that why you want to breed from her?? or has a male got to her and that is why you are asking, if this is the case then i would advise geting her to the vets,why not spay her if you cant keep her away from males.

No - its not too old  - IF YOU DON'T CARE about your bitch - but as you have asked the question on this board, we would hope that you do care and love your dog.   Enjoy her for herself - if the thought of breeding from her was to get a puppy from her, try to go back to her breeder and see if you can get a puppy from the same lines.

Regards
Margot

I live in the USA and have never heard of our AKC allowing this. Its unheard of and is extremely stupid. I'll tell you now, the AKC is stupid. All they want is money money money. They don't allow anything and just plain have their heads stuck inbetween their legs. (excuse me) I ought to write a letter of complaint to them for allowing 11 year old dogs to birth a letter... What a shame. And the bad thing is, people will go by this limit and will breed their girls... *sigh* What is happening to America...