Back to back breedings

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RedyreRottweilers

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#1
Some might wonder why a breeder might choose to breed a bitch on consecutive seasons.

Here are my reasons:

1) the bitch has had 2 years off

2) she will be 5 years old this year, I don't like breeding older bitches

3) I have taken the time for her first litter to grow up a little. She has produced very well in her this litter, and I want a couple of bitches from her with which to continue.

4) This bitch is an AKC and UKC CH, multiple UKC BIS, multiple High In Trial bitch. She is an outstanding bitch in anyone's book. I want some get from her to continue with, as would anyone who had such a bitch. She has been bred once. These 2 litters will make 3 for her, which is not unreasonable for any bitch.

5) Reproductive specialists tell us that breeding bitches closer together, and getting them spayed earlier, is healthiest for them. I will be doing the second breeding under the supervision of a reproductive specialist, and I would NEVER do anything to the detriment of my bitch, nor my breed.

6) the 2010 litter will be her last one, and she will be spayed once that one is done.

So, how about you other breeders?

Why would you choose, or choose not to, use a bitch back to back?
 

Dekka

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#2
My understanding is if the first pregnancy goes well its easier on their body to do back to back. But if there was any difficulty with the first one I would be waiting a heat.
 

LauraLeigh

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#3
Some might wonder why a breeder might choose to breed a bitch on consecutive seasons.

Here are my reasons:

1) the bitch has had 2 years off

2) she will be 5 years old this year, I don't like breeding older bitches

3) I have taken the time for her first litter to grow up a little. She has produced very well in her this litter, and I want a couple of bitches from her with which to continue.

4) This bitch is an AKC and UKC CH, multiple UKC BIS, multiple High In Trial bitch. She is an outstanding bitch in anyone's book. I want some get from her to continue with, as would anyone who had such a bitch. She has been bred once. These 2 litters will make 3 for her, which is not unreasonable for any bitch.

5) Reproductive specialists tell us that breeding bitches closer together, and getting them spayed earlier, is healthiest for them. I will be doing the second breeding under the supervision of a reproductive specialist, and I would NEVER do anything to the detriment of my bitch, nor my breed.

6) the 2010 litter will be her last one, and she will be spayed once that one is done.

So, how about you other breeders?

Why would you choose, or choose not to, use a bitch back to back?
I have been thinking about this, and really believe the bold line above, when I get my next breeding bitch, after she has proven herself and passed all health clearances I believe I will do a back to back, then spay her so she does not have to go through heats.... ( And to be honest, to make it easier for me as well:D)

Of course, for me because I plan to keep it very small, I may breed once and if I get what I want to carry on with, I may only do one litter anyways...
 

bubbatd

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#4
Your case is completely different from mine . Had I done it , I would have considered myself a BYB . I did use 2 of my males as studs , but was so picky about the Dame and turned down many .
 
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#5
This was a big topic of discussion on one of my Alapaha boards a few months back. Something else to point out is that back to back is only healthy if the bitch has fully recovered from the first pregnancy. Now of course a bitch on a good diet and exercise regimen should recover, but if their body is still showing signs of wear from the previous pregnancy then it is not recommended.

Realistically I like the idea of doing litters closer together and spaying earlier than the previous thought process of spacing them out two years apart. But I personally don't know if I could breed a bitch when I hadn't seen how the pups from her first litter had turned out. You can only tell so much from a 5-6 month old puppy, you know? Yeah, you should know the lines, etc etc, but I'm just a worry wart ;)

I also wouldn't do back to back simply for the reasoning of I never want to have a winter litter because you can't do the same amount/type of imprinting that you can do when there isn't 6 feet of snow on the ground. I want to avoid winter litters as much as possible.

So that would put me closest at every other heat, aka once a year, but even then have I seen enough from the previous litter to be able to make a decision on if I want to use her again when they're a year old? Sorry, just thinking out loud here :p Like I said, it was a big topic of discussion and has been on my mind since then.
 
R

RedyreRottweilers

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#6
Sis, that is why I have waited this long to breed her again. I wanted to see what I had from the first litter.

It has met or exceeded my hopes and expectations in almost every category.

The first litter was an outcross. This second litter coming up, the Double litter, is a loose line breeding back into some of the Gamegard stuff in her pedigree. Then the third litter is a real stone cold outcross to the European nice working dog.

I am hoping I get bitches so I can keep at least one from each litter to continue with.
 

SpringerLover

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#7
I am fine with back to back litters if, like you have done, I know what the first litter produced. I mean that in terms of health, temperament, and structure. This means I want the litter to be at least two.
 

ACooper

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#8
I am glad you made this thread Red. I was a little surprised someone hadn't brought up the subject with you before now ;)

I would not presume to know anything about the subject of breeding dogs (or anything) I do know having babies can take a lot out of us girls............but I have no doubt Penny gets the best care before, during, and after her pregnancies :)

Good luck, and I can only hope things go as well as her first time around.
 

adojrts

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#9
I certainly wouldn't have a problem breeding back to back if my bitch had an easy pregancy, whelp and lacation etc and it fit into my plans for litters. Even with C's, (depending on why she had the C in the first place and recovery etc), there is some debate that breeding right back after a C is healthier for the bitch and less scar tissue.

I think the only people these days that get up into arms about it are the ones that have not kept up on the latest repo studies. And confuse educated back to backs with a byb.
 
R

RedyreRottweilers

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#10
One more reason I should state is that she had such an easy pregnancy and whelping, she was such a good mother, had SO much milk, and bounced back to top condition VERY fast after the puppies. This was a big litter of nine, too.

So, near the end of the year when she is due to come in season again, I will evaluate her condition, and go from there.

:D
 

Fran101

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#12
Twice as many puppy pictures.. im all for it :) lol seriously, if mommy handles puppies well, has enough milk, etc.. then i see nothing wrong
 

puppydog

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#13
I see nothing wrong with it in the hands of a good breeder. Same as I see nothing wrong with line breeding by experienced breeders. As long as you know what you are doing I say go for it.

Now 5-6 litter back to back is crazy!
 
R

RedyreRottweilers

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#14
I don't think I would do more than one back to back with any bitch. For me, 3 litters are enough for a girl most of the time. Exceptions might be if there were very small litters. But I have waited now so that I can see what I got from the first litter, and I am very excited about what will be coming from these next two!
 

Tailcreek

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#15
I think there are many factors to take into consideration.
Condition and health of the bitch, # of pups in the first litter (if it was a large litter the bitch may not have fully recovered to be bred on the next heat), age of the bitch, time of year (winter puppies).
Also each heat that a bitch is not bred inceases the chances of developing pyometra. If a bitch recovers from pyo and is not bred on the following heat, she is more likely develop it again.

Jennifer
Tailcreek Mastiffs in Alberta Canada - Home
 

LauraLeigh

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#16
I would not do more than one back to back, my plan would likely be one litter, see how they turn out, skip the next heat or two, then back to back and spay.... Provided of course there was a good reason to do the breeding!
 

J's crew

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#17
After seeing the results of your Choice litter I think breeding Penny back to back isn't a bad idea. Good luck! And thanks for helping people understand the in's and out's of breeding. :)
 

Kayota

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#19
Personally? I never interfere with the judgement of breeders I respect, like Red, because the extent of my breeding "knowledge" is a few mutt litters before Baby was spayed. Aha. Best of luck with the new litters, Red!
 

colliewog

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#20
One more reason I should state is that she had such an easy pregnancy and whelping, she was such a good mother, had SO much milk, and bounced back to top condition VERY fast after the puppies. This was a big litter of nine, too.
These are the points I look at for the sheer health of the bitch. If it was an easy whelp and she was back into condition quickly, then I see no problem with it and have done it myself. If there were complications, then you have to make decisions based upon what's best for her. I think too many people generalize and think that ALL people who breed back to back are millers, but if you've got the waiting list and you're not just pumping puppies out, then there's nothing wrong with it.

I've discussed this with several repro vets and was told this was often the best way to do it, then spay them and let them 'retire'.
 

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