Part one; responsible breeders, vet techs or vets: how many consecutive pregnancies do you feel is acceptable?

One litter per year (skipping a cycle in between litters), starting after the age of 2 when all genetic testing is complete, and ending at age 5. Some breeders will go for a 4th litter, but I say no more than 3. In the code of ethics for my breed of choice, it does say no more than 4 litters between the ages of 2 and 6.

There are a few ways that are considered acceptable. I, personally, don't breed a b*tch until she is 3-4yrs old and have had a first litter at 5yrs. Then again with my breed that is desired. I raise 2 litters out of my girls before they are retired and on one girl I did raise 3. This is a once a year breeding.

Some claim that breeding for 2-3 consecutive heats and spaying promptly after the third pregnancy is not only ok BUT more beneficial to the ***** in the long run. If I can find the information that supports this I will post later. Of course this is considering the fact that both dogs are health tested, worthy of being bred, extremely health and in their prime as far as age is concerned. I don't know how I feel about this personally. In retrospect, I had 4 children in a bit over 5 yrs and I will say from a personal viewpoint it takes a lot out of ya!!!! LOL.

Most good breeders adhere to a skip a heat cycle in between way about things. This gives the b*tch time to recoup for raising pups physically. Altho, body condition etc comes back quickly after weaning things such as calcium and iron stores are used up and can take quite awhile to get back to peak levels to adequately support another litter. Along with that, just about all breed clubs require that a ***** be bred a maximum of 3 times in a lifetime.

SO to answer your question...I would say that 2 consecutive heat cycles is ok so long as the female is spayed/retired from breeding afterward. But I would prefer to see a heat cycle skipped.

That depends if she is a quality show dog she should only be bred 2-3 times in her breeding period. of maybe 4 1/2 years. Never breed a dog older then 5-6.

If it is just a pet quality dog I don't think they should be bred at all.