How old do dogs have to be to have puppies?

Question

I'm planning on breeding later on in my life, well, in about ten years. I've read three books so far, and none of them said the age of the dam or the sire, so i don't know when they could start? does it range differently for every dog? any answer would be great help, thanks.

Answer 1

2 years old at the youngest and only after proving the dog is of breeding quality through showing, and having health testing done to prove it is free from genetic defects that could be passed to offspring.

Answer 2

They can breed was they have their first heat cycle, however its better to at least wait till the second. Their first happens between the first 6months to 1 year of their life. The second with happen 6 months from that time. PLZ dont breed, there are many puppies at shelters that die due to this. Instead of people adorpting puppies, they will buy and that results in uthinizing dogs that dont get adopted. Thats totally your desicion though, just plz do it properly and make sure the dogs get proper care. GOod Luck!

Hope that helped!!! :D

Answer 3

dogs are capable of reproducing as early as 6 months (depending on when the female starts her first heat cycle)..

However, a dog should not be bred until at least 2 years of age.  DOgs are not fully mature until then.  Both the male and female should have proper genetic health tests done prior to breeding to assure they are not passing genetic diseases to future generations.

Tests like OFA, CERF, BAER, PennHip and Optigen are valuable tests.

Answer 4

when they start the heat cycle but as young as 2