Breeding my pom.

Question
I found my pom about a year and a half ago could not find the owner so I kept her took her to the vet got here cleaned up and checked out. I asked how old she was and they said maybe 5 or 6 they were not sure. I want to breed her but i want to know how old is to old to breed my Pomeranian?

Answer
Cassie,

Breeding is a delicate issue to tackle to sometimes, especially for someone who feels as passionately about rescuing dogs as I do. I can't in good conscience recommend that you breed your dog for a few reasons. One, if you rescued her, I am assuming you don't have papers or registration on her. This complicates things in two ways - first, you'll have trouble finding a breeder who will let one of their males impregnate an unregistered dog. Second, you'll have trouble selling the dogs, because people who want to pay for a purebred puppy want puppies with papers - which would mean the mother would have to be papered. More importantly, the health of the dog is certainly of concern. If she is 7 or 8 now, she is considered a senior. Breeding can be risky enough, but I would never recommend it for a senior dog unless the breeder is experienced and knowlegeable in animal health. In fact, the absolute BEST thing for the health of an animal would be to spay or neuter. It's not so much an issue for you now if she is already 6 or 7, but its best to spay or neuter puppies as it prevents a myriad of potential health problems related to the reproductive system (pyometra, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer).

Lastly, and most importantly to me personally, is the fact that there are already millions of dogs - all of whom are deserving of a good home and all of whom would make just as wonderful a pet as any purebred dog - euthanized in overcrowded shelters across America every year. If someone wants a Pomeranian, I would encourage you to direct them to one of many Pomeranian Rescues. You can locate some by searching at www.petfinder.com.

Breeding is a tricky thing to begin with if you are not extremely knowlegeable in both animal health and the specific breed you want to work with. Given your lack of experience with breeding combined with your dog's older age... and the severity of the pet overpopulation problem the country already faces, I have to advise you not to breed your dog. I'll leave you with some interesting facts as well as some links below.

Good luck!

Ashley


Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. - and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. Of those, only 1 in 5 puppies and kittens stay in one home for their lifetime. The remaining 4 out of 5 are eventually abandoned to the streets or end up at a shelter.
Source: Spay USA

'Purebreds' account for 30% of all the animals in shelters.
Source: Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

In 6 years, your one female dog and its offspring will reproduce 67,000 dogs.
Source: Spay USA

http://dogplay.com/Breeding/breeding.html

http://adopt-a-pomeranian.1-800-save-a-pet.com/