breeding/bleeding my boxer

Question
QUESTION: 1.Why should I get her eyes checked before breeding? 2.Why wait till 2nd cycle to breed,should I wait till 3rd or 4th?3.She didn't bleed till almost 2 yrs of age,is that too long? 4.When time to breed, what should I look for? 5.How many pups will she have approximately? Thank you for allowing me to ask my questions!

ANSWER: Hi Shawn! 1. You should get her eyes, hips, and heart tested before breeding. These tests will tell you if she has something wrong with her that can be passed on to her puppies. 2. It depends on when she started her heat cycle. If she went into heat for the first time at about two years of age, then I'd wait until her next heat cycle to breed, as most health tests can't be done until she's 2 years of age. I'd wait, for any dog, until the heat cycle after she turns two, so she can finish growing, and have her tests done, regardless of how many heats she has had. 3. Every dog is different, and so is her heat cycle. I had a female who didn't go into heat until she was about 2 1/2 years old, and then only went into heat once a year. She was fine. I think of it as a blessing when a girl waits to go into heat. 4. The best days to breed are on days 11 and 13, or on days 12 and 14. She'll stand for the male, and her bleeding will lighten in color and frequency. Her vulva will also soften up. 5. About 6 is average. I've had a dog that had 10 in one litter, and her sister had 8. It depends on the dog.

No problem! If I can help in any way, let me know!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE ON MY FIRST QUESTION(S). HERE IS MY OTHER QUESTION(S), 1. I'VE HEARD IF SHE HAS CHERRY EYE ( WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF SHE HAS? I HAVEN'T TAKEN HER TO THE VET YET FOR CHECK-UP BEFORE I BREED HER, BUT HER EYES ARE RED UNDER HER PUPILS AND SHE HAS TINY AMOUNTS OF DRAINAGE. ) THAT IT IS A DEFORMITY....? 2. WHEN I BATH HER, SHOULD I NOT GET WATER IN HER EARS AND IS IT OK TO LATHER HER UP ON HER FACE AND EARS ? 3. WHAT OTHER THINGS AS FAR AS BATHING HER SHOULD I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME !!!!

Answer
Hi again Shawn! :-) 1. Many believe that cherry eye is a genetic problem. They believe that it can be passed on to the pups. If it is cherry eye, you'll see red tissue buldging from the corner of her eye closest to her nose. That has to be taken care of by a vet. With Boxers however, if the dog is flashy (a lot of white), or carry the flashy gene, the haw may be pink, or red. There won't be any red, swollen tissue protruding from the eye. Have your vet check her out to see if it is cherry eye. It can be very irritating to the dog's eye. 2. It's best to not get any water in her ears. I don't get my dog's face wet. I'll use a wet washcloth on them insead. 3. Just make sure you get all of the soap off of her. That way, she won't lick herself and ingest some of the soap. It might make her sick. Another thing, if you don't get all of the soap off, it may make her itch like crazy. If I can help with anything else, let me know!