Last Litter?

[RoughCollies]

In my experience, the last litter has always been no later than 5 years old. Six, was retirement time. Well, we have this one great girl. Normal eyed, great producer, somehow always throws nearly perfect blue's, Large litters, pups mostly show quality, amazing temperment, size, conformation, etc, etc. Well, she is turning six this January and if we breed her this next heat, then her pups would be born in December. This would be her fourth litter. What do you think? She would be bred to Ruler, the mighty dog!

[RoughCollies]

Ooh, I forgot, not only does she have excellent health, but also color. She is a white factored blue merle and Ruler is a white factored tri. They would have at least one white puppy hopefully! Last time, no whites. This time, we are hoping for a female to keep.

[whimzikal]

I thought, and I am probably wrong, that you shouldn't breed 2 whites or 2 white factored. (Pups would have health issues?)

[RoughCollies]

You are right about two whites. We would NEVER do that. There are two ways to acheive white collies:
1. White Collie bred to White Factored Collie
2. White factored to White Factored

As long as both have normal eyes, factored to factored is ok.

Also, two blues should not be bred together.

[rottiegirl]

Here are my thought as a breeder. Although she is six years old this is only her fourth litter (you were responsible waited untill she was old enough/rested her well) I think you should be fine. That would be my opinion. I have seen 5 yr. old puppy mill dogs whos uteruses can't contract to push out pups, they are like jelly from just constantly being streached... not pretty... but your girl sounds fine.

[RoughCollies]

Thanks, that is what I figured, just wanted opinions from other breeders.

[sheplovr]

OK Friend breed her I only breed when I have a wait list of people wanting puppies , but collies like yours will sell.
Make up a web site if u have not already or have one made, costly yes, but pays for itself in no time short of.
Make sure both sire and dam are healthy offer a warranty on whatever collies are noted for as EVERY breed has problems, tell me one that has none and I would have to call that person a LIAR and in my book that is truly bad to do.
Most people are good ones, be honest with customer that call, do not make up good lines, just tell the truth, facts of, make up a contract both signs one returned to you to be valid in case some idiot sues u.
Make it a general orginized business be it big or small and most of all take good care of the mommt worming right after a good tie, the let her alone and pamper her along till whelp time. Get a note book, scale, ribbons or neck bands, sizzors, rubber gloves, iodine, and clock to wait it out, weigh each pup I also rate from 1 to 5 the labor of having the pup, sex it in book, pounds, time of birth, color of band on neck. If somebody can film and photography great. Have fun but be wise for birthing or whelpin is long, stresful and can kill the bitch and pups if your go more than 2 hours between each pup. Good luck and go girl............

[RoughCollies]

Originally Posted by sheplovr

OK Friend breed her I only breed when I have a wait list of people wanting puppies , but collies like yours will sell.
Make up a web site if u have not already or have one made, costly yes, but pays for itself in no time short of.
Make sure both sire and dam are healthy offer a warranty on whatever collies are noted for as EVERY breed has problems, tell me one that has none and I would have to call that person a LIAR and in my book that is truly bad to do.
Most people are good ones, be honest with customer that call, do not make up good lines, just tell the truth, facts of, make up a contract both signs one returned to you to be valid in case some idiot sues u.
Make it a general orginized business be it big or small and most of all take good care of the mommt worming right after a good tie, the let her alone and pamper her along till whelp time. Get a note book, scale, ribbons or neck bands, sizzors, rubber gloves, iodine, and clock to wait it out, weigh each pup I also rate from 1 to 5 the labor of having the pup, sex it in book, pounds, time of birth, color of band on neck. If somebody can film and photography great. Have fun but be wise for birthing or whelpin is long, stresful and can kill the bitch and pups if your go more than 2 hours between each pup. Good luck and go girl............

Thanks Shep, we have bred her before and we do everything that you mentioned. My stepmom has a kennel, Night Star Collies. She is a very good, responsible breeder. All of her dogs are normal eyed and do not have demodex problems (collie issues). I am not a breeder myself, although I am learning through her what to do. I would love little bits of advice from you, too. You know so much!

[GretaJack]

Not that it should make your decision or not, but being that I work for a Reproductive Specialist Vet, I see lots of bitch es that are still having litters at 8-10 years old. I am not saying that I agree, nor disagree, but most whelp naturally and do well. Only you and your vet can be the judge of whether she is healthy enough at this age to whelp another litter.

IMO, (which I try to keep to myself in breeding situations) I think that she sounds healthy enough to whelp and doesn't sound like she has been overbred, so I would think that either decision that you made would be educated and responsible.

[RoughCollies]

thanks, Greta. I can't believe people would breed their dogs that old. In our kennel, we ALWAYS stop at six, that is why we are still debating this. Our vet thinks the dog is very healthy and said to go for it. I am really glad, because she has produced some champions and the pups are all normal eyed. Plus, since this is her last litter, I still get one more chance to get a puppy out of her! I am trying to start the foundations of my own kennel since I will be getting my own place soon (please let it be VERY soon, lol), and I always said by foundation bitch would be out of Star. Always has such excellent heads in her litters. This litter will be a rough/smooth combination! Plus, there may be whites! I can't wait until she is ready.