5 yr old basset just went in heat. Would like to breed her, she is in very good health but has never had a litter. What is best timing for that, how long is gestation, is there special care for when pregnant and what size litter to expect?
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Great thanks, our girl is caught up on shots, etc., and due for a regular visit this week. She is shy of 5 years, has always had very good check ups, etc. Will speak with our vet as well, and wouldn’t be considering this without several good potential puppy lovers lined up and getting the best advice we can. Much appreciated…
This dog is too old! It is a basset! Large heads, long spines to get stuck in the birth canal. SOOOO many things can go wrong! You have no idea how expensive this could get so quickly! You could kill your dog! At the very least you would be looking at a stud fee, sonograms before the puppies are born so you know how many to watch for – and to rush her to emergency for a Cesarean if the puppies don’t deliver normally. Then you have a series of well puppy/mom visits to the vet running up bills for… Read more »
my opinion: with such an unhealthy breed, unless you have a specific goal in mind, best to avoid breeding her.
also, read through this: http://www.basset-bhca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=183
if you are unwilling to test for these things and submit those results to OFA, don’t breed. if you aren’t willing to do a LOT of pedigree research, don’t breed. if your bitch isn’t registered, don’t breed. if your bitch isn’t titled in at least something, don’t breed. if you’re breeding to make money, don’t breed.
find a breed mentor to help you do this the right way or don’t do it.
Hi Eric, you should have made sure your Basset was up to date with innoculations; wormed and flea treated before she came in heat. Hopefully she is ok with all those. May I just add she is getting on a bit for a 1st litter so if you are going to mate her don’t leave it any longer. Find a stud dog who has had all the relevant health checks for the breed. Bassets are prone to IVDD so bare that in mind too (research it ok). Be prepared to pay a hefty sum for the stud dog fee. Your… Read more »
Totally agree Krista….so many things can go wrong….you need to know exactly what you are doing and be ready for anything. X