Infertility increases with age: an average of 15-22% in the under age 4 group, 25-53% in the 4-8 age group, and 70% in the over-7 age group. In beagle studies, puppy mortality (after unassisted whelping) increases from about 22% when born to a 1- to 4-year-old bitch, to about 33% when born to a 4- to 8-year bitches.*
That said, it is common in many breeds, particularly the larger ones or longer-lived ones, to breed older bitches. I know of someone who just bred their nine-year-old bitch. (different breed) Not something I would do, but it is done. Leanne ---Original Message--- I would think breeding any bitch at age 6 or over would be stressful and possibly dangerous. I tend to even think 5 may be getting a bit too old. What do you think? Glenn ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
