Our Breeding Philosophy

Some people have asked us if it's okay that we breed our girls every heat. It's better...

The following from ChatGPT explains what we do nicely.

Breeders sometimes breed dogs on every heat cycle—often called "back-to-back" breeding—based on reproductive research suggesting it is healthier for the bitch's uterus, helping to avoid uterine infections like pyometra and uterine damage caused by repeated, non-pregnant cycles. This approach is often considered healthier than letting a dog go through consecutive cycles without becoming pregnant.

Health and Uterine Health: Contrary to older beliefs, some studies show that breeding every heat (back-to-back) is less stressful on the uterus than skipping heats. Not breeding allows uterine linings to "stack up," increasing the risk of pyometra (a potentially fatal uterine infection).

Preventing Pseudopregnancy: Regular breeding protects the uterus from damage caused by repeated, non-pregnant progesterone exposure (false pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy).

"Finishing" a Breeding Career: Experts often recommend that once a breeder starts breeding a female, they should continue every heat until the dog is "finished" (i.e., litter sizes decrease significantly), rather than taking long breaks.

Health Evaluation: Responsible breeders who follow this practice ensure the bitch is in excellent condition, has a healthy weight, and has fully recovered from nursing before breeding again.

Maximizing Fertility: In some cases, skipping cycles when a dog is younger can mean missing her peak fertility window, leading to smaller litters later in life.

Note on Best Practices: Many experts advise against breeding on a dog's first heat cycle, as she may not be physically or emotionally mature. Breeding every heat is usually continued until the dog is retired, usually around age 5 or 6, to allow for a long retirement.

At the time of writing this, Phoebe, at just under 6 years old, has just had her latest litter; she had five healthy puppies. Every litter, she's had either five or six; as soon as she drops down to four or less, that will be her last litter. She's still in fantastic condition- and absolutely as weird as ever. We would NEVER risk our dog's health for the sake of selling a few more puppies; these dogs are our whole lives!