Overbreeding

Question
Hi Paula,

I'm just wondering what are the effects to the female of overbreeding?  I have read in advertisements so many bitches that are bred every time she comes in heat.

And also, are there effects on dogs (male) of overbreeding?  I live in the Philippines and there are male dogs stud (conformation champions) that are advertised and seems to be bred very very often.  Then there are also some studs that are advertised as being bred only once or twice a month.  Is there an effect on the health of the male dogs if it is overbred and does the quality of the litter suffer if a male dog is overbred?

Thanks.

Answer
Elmer,

A bitch IN MY OPINION should be a bred a MAXIMUM of 3 times during her life, after two years of age. And after all appropriate health testing for the breed has been completed.

To answer your second question, I do not believe that there have been any proven studies on how many times you can you a male at stud. The effects of keeping a male intact is the chances of testicular cancer. My personal opinion in breeding a stud dog is to produce better puppies, I don't think that breeding a stud dog 2 times a month means that someone is trying to produce higher quality puppies. The quality of a litter is not reduced with the number of litter a stud sires, but I do question the owner of the stud dog in question. Unless you are legitimately breeding puppies for a better quality puppy for performance or show rings.