Dachshund Litters

Question
Hi
I have been breeding dachshunds a couple of years now and I am concerned about over breeding my female.  She is a miniature Dachshund.  She is about 3.  How many litters is too many?  Please let me know as I can not find any info on this subject and I do love my dogs so! I worry about them getting enough water, proper feeding, being too cold or warm.  I want to make sure they are all healthy and happy. So I do not want to over breed my sweet little female!
Thank you, Shiloh

Answer
Hi Shiloh,

Ideally, a female dog should only be bred every other year and she should not be bred before two years of age. The season closest to the second birthday is a good one to start with.

It's important to keep the frequency of breeding low. You should allow at least one unbred season between breedings. This allows your dog to rest and regain her strength. A dog that whelps too often will produce weaker puppies more likely to die, and the repeated pregnancies are pretty rough on her, too.

In the same way that there is a recommended age for the first pregnancy, there is also a recommended age for the last one. Your female dog should not be bred after age six. Bitches between 3 and 5 years of age have the best conception rates and largest number of surviving puppies.

Besides age, you need to consider the total number of litters your dog has had when determining when to stop breeding. The more litters she's had, the earlier she should be taken out of a breeding program.

After age six, you should spay your dog as she will continue to have heat cycles for her entire life. Dogs do not have a period of menopause, as humans do.

If you insist on breeding your dog after age six, she should first have a thorough examination by your veterinarian. Blood work and a urinalysis should be to screen for potential metabolic conditions or organ disease. The physically demanding needs of pregnancy or hard labor could heighten the conditions of a pre-existing disease and threaten the life of your dog.

Ensuring the health of your dog in her golden years should be just as important as when she was in her reproductive years.

I'm not sure what you meant when you said you worry about your dog getting enough water. A full bowl of clean water should be available to your dog at all times. She will drink when she feels the need. If you think she's either not drinking enough, or drinks too frequently, she should have a vet exam.

There is not a fixed amount of water the dog can drink daily. It depends on several reasons, like diet, temperature, and how much exercise she gets. Usually, dogs with a dry diet will drink more to compensate the water deficit of her food. For healthy dogs under 20 lbs, their daily water requirement is about 1 cup (8oz) per five pounds of its body weight.

As far as being either too warm or too cold, the rule of thumb is this: If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog. There are many attrative dog sweaters and coats these days to help keep your dog comfy all winter long.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti