AKC question

goldenboy

goldenboy

Well-known member
Guys I have a question for people that know about the AKC rules. My bitch just had a litter of pups on Wednesday Oct. 29th. I had 6 pups pre-sold and 3 people on a waiting list. I also was planning to keep a pup out of this litter as well. Wouldn't you know it she only had 5 pups! Long story short I gave up my pick, had to return one person's deposit, and had to tell 3 other potential buyers that I did not have a pup for them. It is killing me. I love to make families happy with great puppies and now I had to disappoint many families. I did give them other trusted breeders names but it still bothers me.

Now my question I typically breed my females every other year but because of the small litter and still not getting a pup for myself I am thinking to breed her again next year. Does anyone know what types of rules AKC has for how often a bitch can be bred? I know there are age restrictions but I can't find anything about how long between litters and if they have suggestions or rules for this type of question.
 
Hey Joel...sorry to hear about the reduced litter et al. Have you called the AKC and inquired about litter numbers?

How's your hunting season going?

Jon
 
Give Dr Joel a call. He will be able to help you.
 
I don't think you have anything to worry about. I know of litters that are only 6 months apart and all dogs are AKC registered. You can check with AKC but I'm quite sure there are no restrictions on the number or how frequent you can breed a bitch. But I could me wrong so that's why I'd check.
 
There is no restriction. I don't do the 6 month thing, but I will breed a dog about a year. I do know of some folks that have done the 6 month cycle breeding and all is well. My self just wish to do things with my dogs, and give them a break. If you breed after 2 which you should because of OFA and hip development etc, at every other year your not going to have many cracks at a pup. I have had them go as many as 15 months before going in season after a litter, so you just never know. But no, there is no time constraints. AKC wants the doe. No matter what we think about AKC, they are about making $ like any business. Why they will send endless emails about having people register the dogs.;)
 
Correct, there are no restrictions. If you do some research, you will find that many of the top repro vets state that it is in the best interest of the bitch's health to breed the litters consecutively. They recommend breeding them younger (not less than 2) and getting the litters done with. I would have to do some digging to find the articles, but will try if I remember later. I have done back to back cycle breedings with no issues. I have not done 3 in a row and my preference would to be to do 2, skip one, then do 2 more maximum. I think 4 litters is plenty for any bitch, but that is just a personal thought. It is a possibility I may do 3 consecutive litters out of one of my current ones, but I haven't decided yet. I sometimes struggle with putting human thought and emotion into things instead of using science.
 
It all depends on the bitch as well. Some just wont take to that load. It takes schooling of hard knocks and common sense to figure that out. Some, it is like going to work for us. I myself don't have that many litters to worry about it too much. 1 gal I have there is no way she would pull through 2 back to back. Why her clock waits 15 months I guess lol.
 
For sure. You have to take into consideration if they had any complications and how they bounced back from the last litter. My wife and I just discussed this tonight and I think we decided for sure not to go 3 in a row. A lot of that decision includes us needing a little break. It is for sure a lot of work to raise a litter properly.
 
Last edited:
Gatzby said:
Give Dr Joel a call. He will be able to help you.
Click to expand...

Gatzby,

I talked to Dr. Joel he said AKC "recommends" no more than back-to-back-to-back, three litters in a row. But they do not limit you on how often you breed a bitch.

By the way guys the pups are doing great and because the mother is in excellent health and because she is only taking care of 5 pups all the pups are doing really well also. Fat chubby little things that are now starting to play with each other.
 
I'm not 100 percent sure but several years ago when we were trying to breed our Boston Terrier to a friend's older male, he was right on the verge of being too old, I think the age limit was 10 or 12 years old. But that was a few years ago, we have our own male now so no worries for us
 
There is no age limit as well. I have a dog that came from a sire twice that was 14, and also bred to one that was 12 and got 8 nice pups. Depends on the dog, sperm check etc. Nothing to do with AKC age wise. They may have a recommendation on some things, but so does a zillion other people. I believe they have to be a minimum age of 9 months, which is way off base as we all know. So their recommendations are not something to ever go by. I would take advice first from respected long time breeders, or a reproductive specialist.:thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top