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Most male dogs can sire litters even when they are senior dogs. However, sperm counts decrease and it can be more difficult for male dogs to get female dogs pregnant. To know when it is time to stop breeding your male dog, consider his age and check his overall health.
Things You Should Know
- It's a good idea to stop breeding your dog when they're 10 years old. Sperm count can go down as dogs get older.
- Stop breeding your dog if he has poor health. If you aren't sure about your dog's ability to breed, take him to the vet.
- See if your dog is still up to breed standards, and stop breeding him if his litter sizes seem to be small.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow many times can you breed a male dog?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Male dogs have an almost endless capacity to breed. But immediately after one successful tie and mating, the male will have a depleted sperm count, so bear this in mind if the dog is to sire puppies.
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QuestionWhen should you stop breeding a male dog?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Any dog is considered senior when they reach 8 years old. Whilst the male may still be capable of mating after this age, the quality of their sperm starts to degrade, so there is an increased risk of infertility problems.
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QuestionCan a dog be too old to have puppies?Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.Yes, the rigors of pregnancy and giving birth is too much for an older female dog to cope with. As a rule, the female should have a first litter (if she is going to be bred) before around 4 years of age. She should not have further litters once she is 7 years or older.
Tips
References
- ↑ http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/breedingtie.htm
- ↑ Tom Robertson. Dog Breeding Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
- ↑ Tom Robertson. Dog Breeding Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
- ↑ http://www.askabreeder.com/Male_Female_Dog_Breeding_Age
- ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_infertility_in_male_dogs
- ↑ http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/Registration/FAQsTooOld
- ↑ Tom Robertson. Dog Breeding Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
- ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/reproductive/c_dg_infertility_in_male_dogs
- ↑ http://www.all-about-goldens.com/dog-breeding.html
About This Article
To know when to stop breeding a male dog, keep in mind that male dogs that are older than 10 years usually have a hard time impregnating a female, so you may want to stop breeding your dog around this age. You should also stop breeding your male dog if it has health problems or any injuries or physical problems, like arthritis. If you're not sure whether or not you should keep breeding your male dog, take it into the vet to get a professional opinion. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to tell if your dog is still up to breed standards, scroll down!
