Breeding at the first heat

Question
Is it true that if a dog conceives during their first heat it will stunt their growth? And is it advisable to skip a heat after each litter?

Answer
Hi Robin,  It isn't true about stunting their growth, worse, it can possibly kill them.  The reason is because by a puppies first heat cycle (yes they are still puppies when they have their first cycle), if you breed them their puppies will take away essential calcium from the mother's body for her bones growing, which can cause many conditions, like rickets, and when the puppies nurse they can also cause a condition called Eclampsia which can kill a dog within 24 hours.  It is a very violent death as the dog goes into siezures because the puppies are taking so much calcium out of the mother that the mother's calcium levels dip too low which causes the brain to counteract by going into seizures.  If you don't get the mother to the vet fast enough so that calcium can be administered intravenously, the dog will die.  Then of course, you have to hand raise all the puppies.  

Yes, you should also skip a heat betweem litters, again to let the mother recoup her levels of calcium, vitamins and basic health.    Hope this helps,

Dawn