Too late in the year to breed?

Heat lamps can be very dangerous. I did use one in Jan. in the barn but I triple tied it with wire, made sure nothing could reach the cord and worried a lot. I have a new heat lamp from Premier 1 in my coop right now for some chicks and it is a MUCH better and safer light than the old metal ones. I also had a friend whose dog didn't want to be with the pups as she was too hot in with them and a heat lamp. A hanging heater would be awesome, but I haven't found one in my budget yet; Sweeter Heater is the one that comes to mind. There are some heated pads too, but I didn't want one that could get torn. I bought a heated mat for a radiant floor heater and was going to install under a sheet of plywood but never did got around to it. The pups were on a raised wooden floor with a layer of straw under the kiddie pool they were in (hard to find a pool in Jan). More straw in the pool and then tarps hung around the area to make a 10x10 "room". This was in a pretty open barn with lots of ventilation but with the heat lamp they did well. It was cold that week too, but I am in CA so cold isn't cold compared to some places.

During the first four days of life, the environmental temperature where the puppies are kept should be maintained at 85 -90°F (29.5-32°C). The temperature may then be gradually decreased to approximately 80°F (26.7°C) by the seventh to tenth day and to about 72°F (22.2°C) by the end of the fourth week.


It is not necessary to heat the whole room to these temperatures. Heating the area over the whelping box with the aid of a heat lamp is usually all that is necessary.

The puppies' behavior and condition gives an indication whether they are comfortable and healthy. If they are warm and content they will be quiet and gaining weight, otherwise they will be restless and crying.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heat-lamp-orange-replacement-parts

This is the heat lamp I bought, regular ones scare me. I suggest (being in Minnesota myself) to have the pups in the house for the first few weeks then move them out with some sort of heating device tot he stall. In the house is much more regulated and they can chill so easy in the beginning. THen you are there to monitor her more as well. We had Collie/Great Pyrenees/Saint Bernard puppies last November and into February who stayed in the house the entire time. I will never have a winter litter again.

Before you breed ask yourself this...
Do I have homes for these pups?
Will I be able to mentor those that purchase my pups?
Do I have the time to clean up after the pups?
Do have have proper fencing to contain the pups?
Do I have the finances if my dogs needs a c-section? or goes hypo-calcemic?
Do I have the finances to vaccinate, and deworm a litter?
The stud male... How is his temperament? Structure? Health?

Bringing puppies in to the world is easy but if you breed you have an obligation for the life of the pups. At least responsible breeders do. Some push them out the door and they don't care after that. Don't be one of those breeders. That is why the rescues and shelters are filled with these dogs. Lg dogs get put down, not adopted. Many that get their first LGD's are ignorant to the raising and many pups end up shot or disregarded.
Do you have a contract for pups?

I was hoping Southern would chime in soon! Have you checked shelters and/or breeders near you? You could probably find a pup somewhere, like Southern said they are everywhere. I know a lot of those dogs aren't going to be able to be trained because of their age or background but maybe you could find a pup without all the craziness of breeding!

I got very lucky with my first LGD pups that I bought but this last one, Mia, has been a trial since day one. She reminded me yesterday that she is still a puppy. I need another dog right now and I am scared to death to get another puppy and wishing that I had kept one from the last litter. There is something to be said about knowing the temperament of the parents and the imprinting that is done in the first few weeks. I am EXTREMELY hesitant about getting an LGD from rescue and I am not one to return a dog that doesn't work out, it is a marriage for life.

All that aside I agree 100% with what @Southern by choice said. It is almost like having children.

@Green Acres Farm you might want to start another thread, so that this thread isn't "hijacked".

To the OP- I agree with SBC.
What are you going to do with the other pups?
Are you able to give training advice if/when you have someone call you with having puppy problems?
Do you know the appropriate de-worming schedule for this type of dog?
Do you know the proper nutrition for required for welping and for the pups? Sometimes they grow to fast and have calcification on the bones, how do you avoid this?

After the other pups leave your farm, will you be willing to take them back if there is an issue?

I am not an "anti-dog breeder" person. BUT I only support responsible breeders.

I just saw an ad on CL for a Pyr. A sweet, great tempered dog.
The 1st owner bought it from a breeder, but the owner passed away.
Owners sister took the dog, but didn't want to deal with her so took her to a shelter.
Shelter adopted the dog to someone who thought they wanted her. The other dogs didn't get along well with her.

Dog is now back on Craigslist.

Where was the breeder in this?
Obviously the breeder didn't do anything.

What will you do if this happens?

In all of the pups I have raised I have always told the buyers to contact me if there is ever a problem and I have heard from exactly ZERO buyers other than ones wanting another puppy. I am not naive enough to believe that my puppies were all perfect but I have not stayed in contact with 95% of those people so I have no idea where those dogs are. After 4 years if someone was to contact me I honestly could not take the dog back. I am not equipped to bring an adult dog onto my farm. So yes, we have a responsibility for these puppies but I don't feel that it is for the life of the dog. JMO

@Green Acres Farm I have raised 9 or 10 litter of pups in 30 years and never had to have a c-section.

I think the questions were for the original poster (OP). Although they're applicable to anyone who wants to breed dogs.