beagle breeding

Question
How old must a male beagle be before it is possible for him to get another dog pregnant. A friend of mine brought over his year old german sheppard chow while she was in heat to prevent her from getting pregnant from another dog in their home. Meanwhile I have a make beagle who was born on July 28, 2008. We just found out recently that big dog (german sheppard chow) is now pregnant. Is it possible that she was already impregnanted before she came here at the beginning of january while she was in heat or is it possible that my 5 month old beagle at the time is the one who got her pregnant..its very hard to tell because my beagle is so young.

Answer
Hi Megan,

Oh dear, quite a predicament. As long as your little boys testicles were working and capable of producing sperm he could have impregnated her, as well she could have been already pregnant and got a double dose. There is no way to know until they come out if the beagle boy did his thing. This is why it is now recommended to spay/neuter very early, as early as 10 weeks because there is no foolproof way to know how soon they begin to produce sperm and reproduction is a natural drive/instinct for them, has nothing to do with age or love. I wish you the best of luck!