Breeding my Jack Russells?

18 months is TOO YOUNG

Dogs are not done growing and maturing until the age of 2.

Also you cannot even do proper health tests until 2 years of age. You dont really know that your dogs are healthy until proper health tests have been done.

Get both dogs spayed and neutered.. there's no reason to even have "just one" litter. There's no shortage of poorly bred Jack Russels... leave breeding to the professionals who have CH or working dogs.

There are many risks to breeding dogs.. smaller dogs are expecially prone to complications.. expecialy when the owner hasnt dedicated a few years to researching under the guidance of a mentor. Its not uncommon for dogs to DIE during pregnancy/whelping! I know EXPERIENCED breeders who have lost or nearly lost their dogs!

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If you really insist on breeding.. then go SHOW your dogs, work on their CH titles and find a breeding mentor there who can guide you.

If people really want JRTs so badly, there's more than enough in shelters and rescues. Only CH or working dogs who have had proper health tests should be bred.

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Unless your vet is an AKC judge, a veterinary ophthalmologists, and is also able to review OFA exams.. your vet is not one to determine if your dogs are breeding quality or not.

1. 18 months is still too young to breed. She needs to be at least 2

2. No offense but unless your vet is a JRT breeder with years of experience under his belt he is the LAST person to ask about breeding your dog beyond the basics. Vets do not know the ins and out of every breed and should not be relied upon for judgment calls like this one is considering she could very well die.

3. If your dogs haven't be evaluated by and outside source well versed in JRTs they are not breeding quality, no matter WHAT your vet has said.

4, "Just one litter" is never a good reason to breed a dog. Its a cop out that EVERYONE uses. Its a selfish reason to risk her life.

5. Both she and the male need full health clearances, that means OFA, CERF and whatever else is needed for this breed. A simple vet check up is NOT and never will be enough.

6. Join a JRT club get them BOTH into some field trials and/or showing and actually prove they are breeding stock.

I just want one litter is the biggest reason for anyone having a litter.

Just stand back a minute and think about it.

Why do you just want one litter, and it will have something to do with YOU wanting to take care of them and experience it, rather than what the life of the puppies you are creating will be. Because unless you do that right then that can be a life in a shelter, passed from home to home or put to sleep. Unless any pups you sell go on the understanding that they come back to you if they ever need to be rehomed.

Also then consider how many people have got a b*tch that they would like "just one litter" from. And the next generation and the next etc.

Can you not see just how many unwanted pups are born per year without there being the good homes for them to go to.

If your dogs are so good that you have got a list of puppy owners that are prepared to wait just for your pups and so you know that they will sell easily then maybe - but it isn't easy to find GOOD homes.

why do you want her to have a litter? who will you adopt the puppies to? do you know how to care for the mother while she is pregnant? do you know how to spot signs of problems? do you know what to do during birth, and after?

sensible advice - why not wait until she is 2 years old? the extra 6 months will makes tons of difference. and make sure you have them tested and stuff for whatever jack russels are prone to. to make sure they are clear and healthy enough to be bred.

@ Maria - yes some people may breed their dogs at 12 months, but that doesn't make it correct or the right thing to do. going with the 7-1 age thing, that is like a 7 year old girl getting pregnant!

Most people say breeding dogs at 18 months is too young however, many people breed dogs from 12 months. If you are getting your dog spayed, i've heard it's better if they haven't had puppies it's better (i'm not sure weather that is true). If you have done your research about breeding dogs, and you have already got people who are interested in buying them then perhaps you may be ready for your first litter. With it being your first time i would advise that you see your vet and get a second opinion and he may be able to give you medical advice and thoroughly explain how to go about having your first litter.

If you are so bound and determined to breed your dog find what is called a breeding mentor! They will teach you what you need to know about what you need to do to breed your dog.

Spay TODAY!

Castrate TODAY!

Anybody asking any breeding./whelping Qs here is just a BYB-wannabe w/JUNK dogs!

Know how many crappy-bred JRT are dumped daily? HUNDREDS!! Go count on petfinder.....go ask Russell rescue!

*&* if it had a false-pregnancy? It's BAD& proven NON-breeding stock!