When Can You Breed a Female Dog?

Part of being a responsible dog breeder is ensuring you are doing it for the right reason, to improve the breed. This means taking the time to learn as much as you can about the breed of the dogs you are breeding. This includes beginning the breeding process at the right age. Our veterinarians at South Mountain Canine Reproduction and Pet Care in Draper can answer any questions that you may have about breeding dogs.

What You Need to Know about Breeding

Female dogs have their first heat after about six months of age, however, this can vary based on the breed. Small dogs, for example, tend to reach sexual maturity faster than larger ones. Just because your dog is the right age and going through her first heat does not mean she is ready to breed. It is best not to breed your female dog during her first heat because the young age of the still-growing animal could lead to a difficult pregnancy.

It is also customary to avoid breeding a female dog on consecutive heats to allow time to recover between pregnancies. Not only do you need to pay attention to what ages you start breeding your female dog, but you also need to be aware of when you need to stop breeding it.

Female dogs can usually breed up until around 8 years old, while standards place the age limit as low as 5 years for some breeds, especially smaller ones. If you breed a female dog when she is too old, it could lead to complications during the pregnancy or cause health problems for both the female dog and her pups.

Are You Interested in Canine Breeding?

Responsible dog breeding is all about having a thorough understanding of what is good for your animal. If you would like to begin breeding your dog, our team at South Mountain Canine Reproduction and Pet Care in Draper can help assess the health of your dog. Call our office today at (801) 987-3639 to make an appointment with one of our veterinarians.