When Is Should You Stop Breeding Your Dog?

• 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.

What age should you stop breeding your dog?

When your dog is around 10 years old, you may want to stop breeding him. When deciding whether your dog should continue breeding, think about how old he is. Most male dogs can breed until they are senior dogs, but it is difficult for older dogs to get females pregnant. Some believe that certain small breeds shouldn’t be bred after age seven, while other breeds can be bred up to age 12. Talk to your vet or consult your kennel club to see what’s recommended for your breed. If you choose to breed after that age, you should understand that the odds of your dog getting a female pregnant is significantly lower, so pregnancy may not occur.

Fertility Considerations

Recognize that the sperm count can decrease as the dog ages. Most male dogs can breed until they die. However, sperm counts decrease as the dog gets older. The dog can still breed, but it may be difficult due to the lowered sperm count. If you are unsure about your dog’s sperm count, consult your veterinarian.

Check the conception rates. Your male dog should have little trouble getting healthy females pregnant. This means that the female dog should get pregnant when she mates with your male dog. If the dogs are not getting pregnant during the matings, it may be time to stop breeding your male dog. If this is occurring with your dog, you should take them to the vet to get them checked out. You can also stop breeding your dog completely.

Health Considerations

Take your dog to the vet. If you are unsure about whether or not you should continue breeding your dog, take them to get a checkup by the vet. The vet can check your dog to determine the overall state of their health. The vet can also advise you on whether or not you dog should continue breeding. Your vet can do a sperm count and see if your dog's sperm levels are dropping off.

Avoid breeding your dog after an injury or physical problems. Infertility is uncommon in male dogs. However, it can occur if your dog suffers an injury or infection that affects the reproductive system. Other physical problems may result in you needing to stop breeding your dog. Injuries or degeneration to the testicles or reproductive system may cause problems with reproduction. Infection can also cause reproductive problems. Arthritis or other mobility problems can make it impossible for dogs to continue breeding.

Stop breeding your dog if he has bad health. You should evaluate your dog’s health before breeding them. Only male dogs who have the best health should be bred. If your dog’s health has started to decline, you should stop breeding him. When you get ready to breed your dog, take him to the vet. Get a thorough checkup so you will be positive you are breeding a dog with great health.

Your Dog's Condition

Determine if your dog is still up to breed standards. As your dog ages, keep a critical eye on him and evaluate him frequently. You should make sure the dog continues to adhere to breed standards. If your dog is not up to standards, he should not be bred. For example, your dog’s coat should stay a certain way, and his gait should be up to par. These things may deteriorate with age and may affect the dog’s breeding.

Evaluate the litter sizes. If your male dog has produced a smaller litter size than you expected, it may be time to stop breeding him. This can be an indication of a fertility problem with your male dog. You can compare the litter sizes to previous sizes of litters your dog has sired. If your dog hasn’t sired many different litters, you can compare the litter size to litters from other dogs of the same breed.

Determine if the dog is still interested in mating. Some male dogs can experience hormonal changes, which can affect their reproduction. Due to these hormonal changes, your male dog may no longer be interested in mating with females in heat.