Hi all, I have a question about age limits for breeding and would REALLY appreciate it if some of you knowledgable breeds could advise me on it.

I am considering breeding Ellie but am currently organising a wedding for next April, in 2008, so I haven't got the time or the money to breed her on her next season which will be Sept/Oct, so I am thinking I will have to wait till after the wedding. However, this will take Ellie to 2 and a half. Is this too old to have a first litter? I have been told by one breeder that it should be fine, but to be honest I'm not completely sure if she is as knowledgable or experienced enough to trust.

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I would think it was ok, most large breeds arent breed till at the minimum of 2 years old. Also Zero's not siring his first litter till he's over 2 I would think if anything it would be a bonus her being older and more mature as there are less likely to be complications, but I'll leave it to the experienced breeders here to answer the question in more depth. Oh btw have you found a stud dog you like yet?

Most small breeds are best bred before they turn 2 years as thier pelvis can start to harden after this makeing whelping difficult.

But I know a few well know breeders who will breed a girl for the first time at 3 years but she has to be checked by the vet to make sure she is still bi enough inside to pass the pups.

I would not worry tomuch, the bigger she is the better to if she is a little bit older.

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One chi is never enough.......anything your dog can do my chihuahuas can do better

YOu should be just fine!

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Thanks girls for the replies, they really help!

Sarah, I do have a stud in mind, yes. He is sired by Bramerita Flamin Cold and his dam is Bramerita Flamin Elle, so he has great bloodlines! He is GORGEOUS, I am totally in love! I dont suppose his owner will mind, here is a picture...what d'you think?...

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He is lovely Iv seen him advertised.

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One chi is never enough.......anything your dog can do my chihuahuas can do better

WOW he's a beautiful boy, have you got a stud date booked yet, lol if I could afford it I'd ask to go on your waiting list, smooth coats are starting to grow on me and more importantly are you going to be keeping one?

Oh Sarah, what a lovely, lovely compliment, THANK YOU! And a little ironic considering I am on the waiting list for one of Zero's offspring! lol

I have two resons for wanting to breed Ellie. The first is that Ellie was meant to be a show dog and even though she doesn't seem cut out for it I am confident it is just a personality trait and not something she'll pass down to her pups. I'd like to show.

The second reason is I have a close friend who has been ill, like me, for a long long time. She has been unable to have a dog for years because she's been too ill, but she is now thinking of getting a small dog as she's a little better, and I'd like to give her one of Ellie's pups. Ellie has helped me and given me something to smile about more than anything else since having M.E. and would I LOVE for my friend to have the same experience.

I'm a bit nervous about it though. I've done a lot of research and will continue to do so but it is a scary aspect. I've bred dogs in the past, but they were large breeds so it's very different and I'm worried I wont be good enough to breed Chis.

I haven't decided completely just yet, and the owner of the stud said to just get in touch when I want to meet up, so I guess I have a little more ime till I need to decide.

x

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