I AM LOOKING FOR SOME ADVICE AND OPINIONS ON WHETHER IT IS BETTER FOR A BITCH'S HEALTH TO ALLOW HER TO HAVE ONE LITTER.  I HAVE A 2.5 YR OLD KERRY BLUE TERRIER, AND AM GETTING MIXED OPINIONS FROM THE BREEDER & VETS AS TO WHETHER IT CAN PROVE SAFER FOR A BITCH IN LATER LIFE TO HAVE HAD ONE LITTER.  PERSONALLY, I HAVE NEVER BRED A LITTER ALTHOUGH MY HUSBAND HAS PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE.  WHAT I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW IS WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PROVEN FACTS ABOUT THIS ARGUMENT, AND WHY PEOPLES OPINIONS DIFFER SO?!!  SHE IS FROM AN EXCELLENT PEDIGREE, A LONG LINE OF CHAMPIONS BUT IS A PET AND NOT KEPT FOR SHOW.  ANY MORE INFO REQUIRED FOR ANYONE TO OFFER AN EDUCATED OPINION OR ADVISE I AM HAPPY TO EMAIL.  THANKS!!!

As to the so called fact that it is better to let a bitch have a litter. It's an old wives tail with no basis in fact. To breed just for the sake of breeding is irrisponsible. Enjoy your dog as the pet she is and leave it at that.

Regards, John

As John says - it's an old wives "Tail" . If you don't want to breed - don't. Remember that breeding could put her life at risk. If she was mine & I was sure I wasn't going to breed I'd have her spayed while she is young and healthy - better than waiting until she's older & maybe gets a uterine infection. JMO

Oop's! Wrong tale!!! Sorry guest :)

Regards, John

Ditto to what the others have said

You also need to think of would you be able to take back any or all of the puppies if the buyers no longer want them for any reason ? If no then you should not breed

By having a litter you risk the health and even the life of your bitch. A few bitches will have temperament changes after a litter. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever, physical or psychological, why you should breed your bitch. Having a litter will cost YOU a considerable amount of money, a great deal of time, enormous worry, probable heartache; and could cost your bitch her life.