Too late in the year to breed?

babsbag

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I think the questions are good and need to be asked, it isn't cheap or easy to raise puppies and not all LGDs are worthy of reproducing...(the verdict is still out on my puppy, Mia). I personally love raising puppies and always have a list of people that are looking for a puppy.

If someone buys a pup and they have problems or it just doesn't work I would take it back AS A PUPPY. But my barn and field situation and my current dogs would not allow me to take back an adult dog, I would have no where to put it. And if it was having problems as an LGD I would have to send it to @Southern by choice for remedial training. ;)
 

Southern by choice

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Personally, I think breeding your dog just to have 1 replacement dog for down the road is ... well... not logical.
The financial aspect, time aspect, responsibility for an entire litter is not worth it.
Far better to just go to a responsible breeder than can evaluate and match the right pup for your circumstances.

I am old school. Where I came from people bred dogs to improve and had a goal. The dogs were carefully selected to be bred to accomplish x,y,z.

As experienced as I am and as picky as I am I did not breed my last 2 German Shepherd Dogs yet they were far and above excellence. Why? Because it really was weighed as to my purpose. I could not bring a whole litter of pups into this world simply because they were awesome dogs and I wanted to keep 1 pup.
The LGD' I breed are for a specific purpose. They must meet certain criteria. Anything I do not like or see and I won't breed.

I also weigh this- if I cannot find just the right homes can I keep them? Do I have the resources to do so?
What if you breed a litter of LGD pups yet one or two are only ever going to be pet quality with no guardian traits? What if the do is not working out?

I will take any dog back for the life of the dog. I am very selective, if one of my dogs needs to come back I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt there are life circumstances that dictated it. Every one of our clients can call anytime for assistance for the life of the dog.
No most do not do this. But, like I said, I am old school and that is how responsible breeders did it.

Not to discourage you but help you to look at all the pros/cons.
Puppies are wonderful and they are so enjoyable but they do grow up and their fate is somewhat in your hands.
 

Bruce

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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.
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Heat lamps are bad, do this instead!
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

Besides being nearly impossible to start a fire, MHP heats a SMALL area using less electricity and the chicks are warmed by CONTACT with the pad, not warm air, just as they are under a hen. Chicks do NOT need an ambient temp of 95F for a week, then 90F for a week, etc. My broody raised chicks were outside in 75F max temps and spent little time during the day under mama after they were a few days old. And they benefit from a normal day/night cycle which they can't get with a heat lamp.

Now back to your regularly scheduled dog breeding discussion ;)
 

babsbag

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I now have a commercial brooder (got it used) and I use a Brinsea brooder in the house for the first few days. I love that thing. I see the mama hen out with her chicks when it is chilly so I agree that they don't need it as hot as we are led to believe.

I have 2 ducklings and 16 chicks in an open air coop so I give them a light at night... For a few more weeks. That premier lamp is the bomb, I feel totally safe with that thing.
 

Debra Cummings

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I had planned to keep my Great Pyrenees out (Maggie) with the sheep until she passes away, but then got to thinking that once she hits an older age she may not want to be in there when I put the ram in (I know I wouldn't!). So I thought maybe I would breed her and keep one of her pups, and then she can help to train the pup to guard the sheep. I'm not an expert on telling when a dog is in heat (I know sheep and horses ;)), but I think she may be now. Her bottom seems more swollen and she was licking herself.

I just worry it's too late in the year now, I know dogs only stay pregnant for about 2 months, meaning the pups would be born late December early January. Would the puppies be warm enough if they were in my horse's stall with lots of straw? Would mama keep them warm enough? Or a added heat lamp? I could try and wait for spring/summer, but would that not be a good idea either as she would then need to guard the newly born lambs? If she had pups would that take her "away" from the sheep too much since I'm sure she wouldn't be out walking the pen as much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I want to do the responsible thing, I want what's best for her and the pups.
Please, please reconsider. Unless you plan on keeping the entire litter or have solid, experienced lgd homes for all of them, just buy a young dog from an experienced breeder who understands the genetic lines etc. A huge number of LGDs end up in shelters due to people breeding. You breed, you are responsible. And if your dog needs a c section, be prepared for huge expenses .
 

WindyIndy

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Hi Everyone, I'm so sorry for not replying sooner. I have been terribly busy, I don't have time to answer all the questions yet, but I will say that IF i breed I think I would rather wait until it's warmer, I'm just not feeling comfortable with Jan/Feb pups, that's our coldest months :(
 

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