Dear Needing: Let’s just take a deep breath and examine your situation.

You have a German Shepherd puppy. She is not yet two-years-old and you are already planning on breeding her? Why, may I ask, do you want to breed her? Is this the first time you have bred a dog? And from your question, I can tell you do not have grounded knowledge about a bitch’s reproductive cycles.

The Reproductive Cycle

To start, let’s review your bitch’s cycles. You puppy was eight months old when she had her first “season” as breeder’s sometimes call it. The first time a puppy goes into season can vary greatly. It can be as early as six months or as late as one year or beyond in some breeds.

Then once she starts ovulating on a regular basis, she can come into season on average every six months or twice a year. Again, some dogs cycle as frequently as every four months, others wait every eight months. It is really up to Mother Nature and we mere breeders are always at her mercy. You can not plan ahead to have a February 2006 litter. You must wait for your bitch to go into season on her own and then be ready to implement the breeding once she is ready. 

Before You Breed

But you are really putting the cart before the horse here. Responsible breeders will most likely wait until there bitch is two years old before even considering breeding. Along the way, they will assess her temperament, study and judge her conformation and usually take her to dog shows to get the expert evaluation of judges and other breeders as to her quality.

Then when the bitch turns two-years-old they have her hips X-rayed for hip dysplasia, check her eyes for any inheritable diseases, and test her for whatever else the breed may be prone to, such as thyroid, kidney, or heart conditions.

After all her health screenings are clear, the breeder beings to search for a stud dog that will complement and improve upon what the bitch possesses in terms of temperament and physical characteristics. A breeding takes place generally to improve the breed, not just for the fun of it or to make money. Hobby breeders are a passionate lot and after they have created a litter of puppies then they take great care to raise the pups and place them in loving homes. In addition, if for any reason the new owners can not keep the pet, the breeder will take the dog back for the life of the dog.

If you are willing and able to follow such guidelines, then you have plenty of work to keep you busy until your bitch turns two-years-old before you delve into the world of dog breeding.

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

According to the Wall Street Journal this week, while this may not be coming to a dealer near you soon, it sounds like fun for you and your dog:

At the Tokyo Motor Show this month, Honda will reveal a concept car designed for dog owners. The glove compartment converts into a carriage for a dog the size of a dachshund. For bigger pooches, the second of three seat rows changes into a pen. Floors are paneled instead of carpeted.

“It’s easier to clean up the mess,” says senior designer Takeshi Yamaguchi.

The minivan, for now, is a trial model developed to test consumer reaction. Honda officials haven’t disclosed specific plans to market a production version.

At the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public Oct. 22, Honda also plans to announce a line of “Travel Dog” car accessories for sale in Japan this year. Pet carriers for small dogs start at $220, while a $440 “pet cargo cover” turns the back of a van or wagon into a dog bed.”

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.