My 11 month old chihuahua is in her second heat. Because it was close
to her first heat I took her to the veterinarian. The vet told me she
was in perfect health and to breed her now if I wanted. Most
information I have read says 24 months and I am looking for a second
opinion. I just want to do the best thing for the dog.

Thanks,

Tony

On 13 Mar 2006 15:28:00 -0800, "Tony" ,
clicked their heels and said:

My 11 month old chihuahua is in her second heat. Because it was close
to her first heat I took her to the veterinarian. The vet told me she
was in perfect health and to breed her now if I wanted. Most
information I have read says 24 months and I am looking for a second
opinion. I just want to do the best thing for the dog.

If you truly are looking for the best thing for your dog, you'll sit
down and give an honest examination of why you want to breed her. Are
you willing to risk her dying? Everyone who breeds a bitch has to be
prepared for that possibility. Do you have a mentor? Your bitch's
breeder? How are you going to select a stud? What are you hopng for
by breeding her? What are her strong points? Her weak points? I
don't know all of the health issues with Chi's, but have you
researched all of those and know how to find out if she's a carrier or
has various conditions herself? Are you prepared for emergencies
during pregancy and whelping? Have the time to stay home with a
litter? Have a good way of finding amazing homes and screening them,
as well as give thought to whether those puppies should be on s/n
contracts or whether you want the buyers to continue to flood the
market with Chi's? Is your bitch registered with AKC? Do you have
full registration?

An awful lot to think about, and ultimately, more times than not,
what's best for the bitch, the breed, yourself, is to have her spayed.

--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:47:21 -0500 Janet B whittled these words:
I
don't know all of the health issues with Chi's, but have you
researched all of those and know how to find out if she's a carrier or
has various conditions herself?

I've done a fair amount of research into chihuahua breeders. The breed
culture is among the worst in terms of concerns about breed health issues.
It is really difficult to find a breeder concerned about breeding for good
sound genetic health. That is really sad since I've seen what wonders
can be had in a fit, healthy, well structured chihuahua. Sadly unless a
person is truly dedicated they are going to find it difficlut to find a
breeder who is willing to be open and honest about health issues in the
line. That, naturally, accounts for the large number of health issues
affecting the breed. There ARE good breeders, but it takes a truly
caring person to put in the effort it takes to uncover them.

Are you prepared for emergencies
during pregancy and whelping? Have the time to stay home with a
litter? Have a good way of finding amazing homes and screening them,
as well as give thought to whether those puppies should be on s/n
contracts or whether you want the buyers to continue to flood the
market with Chi's?

Yeah, this breed is also among the riskiest to breed. The bitches die too
often, the puppies even more often. Trying to save the puppies that are
less than optimal can break the bank. The breeders intrested in the money
just give that one up and try again.

There are breeds where breeding well is expected. Unfortunately in the
chihuahua breeding, for wins tends to be stressed over breeding for
health. So it could be tough to find a mentor who will teach breeding
practices that are good for the dogs, intead of good for the ego or
pocketbook.

--
Diane Blackman
There is no moral victory in proclaiming to abhor violence
while preaching with violent words.
http://dog-play.com/ http://dogplayshops.com/

Thank you for your class on ethics. However, all I wanted to know was
what age is suitable to breed the first time. I have no intentions of
starting a puppy mill!

In article .com,
Tony wrote:
Thank you for your class on ethics. However, all I wanted to know was
what age is suitable to breed the first time. I have no intentions of
starting a puppy mill!

Well, what you said was that you wanted to do the best thing
for your dog. The best thing for your dog is not to breed
her at all - it really is pretty risky through the entire
process (breeding, pregnancy, whelping).

So, given that you don't want to do the best thing for your
dog but want to breed her anyway, I'd wait until she's at
least two, which will allow time for genetic health issues
to start becoming evident. Because, presumably, if you're
genuinely interested in your dog's health you're probably
interested in the puppies' health, as well.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community.

On 14 Mar 2006 05:57:45 -0800, "Tony" ,
clicked their heels and said:

Thank you for your class on ethics. However, all I wanted to know was
what age is suitable to breed the first time. I have no intentions of
starting a puppy mill!


but you think casual breeding is better?

--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

On 14 Mar 2006 05:57:45 -0800, "Tony" ,
clicked their heels and said:

Thank you for your class on ethics. However, all I wanted to know was
what age is suitable to breed the first time. I have no intentions of
starting a puppy mill!

"In six years one un spayed female dog, her offspring and their
puppies, if none get spayed or neutered, can produce up to 67,000
dogs."

--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

"Janet B" wrote in message
...

"In six years one un spayed female dog, her offspring and their
puppies, if none get spayed or neutered, can produce up to 67,000
dogs."

I realize cats are more prolific than dogs, but it still applies. Friend of
mine started to feed stray cats. It started with 3. The female had two
litters. A few more cats showed up. Within six months, over the winter,
the number became 18 or 19. Roughly half of these cats were females, and
old enough to be bred this spring. Several were visibly pregnant. Come
August, there would have been easily 60 cats, or more.

I've seen people let their dog have a litter, and they can't place all the
puppies, and some of the puppies get bred at 8 months. And suddenly, they
have about a dozen dogs. Even a dozen Chihuahuas is still a lotta dogs.

flick 100785

(Melinda Shore) said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

So, given that you don't want to do the best thing for your
dog but want to breed her anyway, I'd wait until she's at
least two, which will allow time for genetic health issues
to start becoming evident.

I'm not sure whether epilepsy is common in Chihuahuas, but I'd
go with at least three years old so as to reduce the chance of
passing on IE.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.