The appropriate age to breed a sire(male) or a dam(female) depends on several factors such as the breed of the dog, size, the female’s heat cycle, health of the dogs, sexual maturity, etc.
It is irresponsible to breed a female dog too early or on her first heat as that may cause potential health risks for puppies and the dam. Attempting to breed dogs before they reach their full size and maturity will result in grave danger to the dam as her body is not yet equipped to handle the pregnancy stress.
Breeding the dogs too old will result in low sperm quality for the male dog and possible health complications in the female dog, along with fewer puppies in the litter being born.
Best Mating Age For Top 50 Popular Dog Breeds
| Breed | Best Age To Breed | |
|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |
| Akita | 2 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| American Shepherd | 2 years upto 8-10 years | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Australian Shepherd | 12-15 months upto 8-10 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Basset Hound | 2 years upto 8 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Beagle | 9 months upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 5-7 years |
| Belgian Malinois | 2 years upto 8 years | 2.5-3 years upto 7 years |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 12-15 months upto 8 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Bichon Frise | 1.5 years upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 8 years |
| Bloodhound | 2 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 6 years |
| Border Collie | 1 year upto 9-10 years | 18 months upto 9 years |
| Boston Terrier | 12-15 months upto 10 years | 2 years upto 5 years |
| Boxer | 12-15 months upto 9-10 years | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Brittany | 2 years upto 8-9 years | 2-2.5 years upto 6-7 years |
| Bull Terrier | 1 year upto 8-9 years | 1.5 years upto 8 years |
| Bulldog | 2 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 4-6 years |
| Cane Corso | 24-30 months upto 6-7 years | 18 months upto 6 years |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 2 years upto 7-8 years | 2.5 years upto 5 years |
| Chihuahua | 1.2-1.5 years upto 9 years | 2-2.5 years upto 6 years |
| Chow Chow | 2 years upto 8-9 years | 18 months upto 7 years |
| Collie | 1.5 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Dachshund | 1 year upto 8-9 years | 1.2-1.5 years upto 8 years |
| Dalmatian | 2 years upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Doberman | 16-18 months upto 6 years | 2 years upto 6 years |
| French Bulldog | 12-15 months upto 12 years | 10-12 months upto 12 years |
| German Shepherd | 2 years upto 10 years | 2 years upto 8 years |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | 1.5-2 years upto 8 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Golden Retriever | 2 years upto 10 years | 1.5-2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Great Dane | 12-15 months upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Havanese | 1 year upto 9-10 years | 2 years upto 8 years |
| Labrador Retriever | 1 year upto 10-11 years | 1.5-2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Maltese | 1.5 years upto 9 years | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Mastiff | 10-12 months upto 9 years | 18 months upto 8-9 years |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 8 months upto 12 years | 1.5-2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Newfoundland | 2 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Pomeranian | 1 year upto 8-10 years | 2-3 years upto 5-7 years |
| Poodle | 12-15 months upto 8-10 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Pug | 12-15 months upto 8-9 years | 18-24 months upto 8 years |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 2 years upto 8-9 years | 2-3 years upto 6-7 years |
| Rottweiler | 15-18 months upto 9-10 years | 2 years upto 8 years |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 2-2.5 years upto 7-8 years | 2 years upto 6-7 years |
| Shiba Inu | 1.5-2 years upto 8 years | 2 years upto 6 years |
| Shih Tzu | 8 months upto 9-10 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Siberian Husky | 12-15 months upto 10 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Spaniel (Cocker) | 2 years upto 6-7 years | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
| Spaniel (English Springer) | 2 years upto 8-9 years | 2-2.5 years upto 7-8 years |
| Vizsla | 18 months upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 8 years |
| Weimaraner | 15-18 months upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 7 years |
| Welsh Corgi | 6-12 months upto 6 years | 18 months upto 8-9 years |
| West Highland White Terrier | 1.5 years upto 5-6 years | 1.5 years upto 5-6 years |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 1 year upto 8-9 years | 2 years upto 5-7 years |
Akita
| Best Age To Breed Akitas | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
Pregnancy issues specific to Akitas include mothers hiding the pregnancy. A breeder must attend regular vet checks to keep track of the dam’s health. Akitas can also get quite irritable during pregnancy as compared to other dogs. Be sure to keep the female comfortable to avoid any behavior issues from cropping up.
American Shepherd
| Best Age To Breed American Shepherds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
Multidrug Resistance Mutation, better known as MDR1, is a genetic mutation common in herding breeds. It is the miniature American shepherd more susceptible to the side effects of certain medications like medications to prevent parasites and treat diarrhea. A breeder must do thorough health and DNA check to prevent the passing of this mutation.
Australian Shepherd
| Best Age To Breed Australian Shepherds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 8-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7 years |
Breeding an Australian Shephers around 18 months allows for further bone development. If she is a Merle, do not breed her to a male blue/red merle as it will result in a 25% or greater chance of having puppies that are deaf or blind.
Basset Hound
| Best Age To Breed Basset Hounds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
Basset Hounds are a squished-up version of their descendants, bloodhounds. The “squish” is actually the inability of the cartilage in the bones to grow normally, causing dwarfism of the limbs. Although not fatal, these breeds are further prone to obesity and incapacitating arthritis.
Beagle
| Best Age To Breed Beagles | |
|---|---|
| Male | 9 months - 8-9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-7 years |
Pre-breeding testing must include Testing should include hips, CERF, elbows, CCD, and thyroid. Medical tests and evaluations must be done for your Beagle on a regular basis to make sure that she is receiving plenty of rest in between litter and full-body recovery.
Belgian Malinois
| Best Age To Breed Belgian Malinois | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years to 8 years |
| Female | 2.5 - 3 years upto 7 years |
While the female Belgian Malinois can be fertile way into her old age, it’s not recommended to breed an older female since that would impact the offspring. The same applies to male dogs.
Bernese Mountain Dog
| Best Age To Breed Bernese Mountain Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
Bernese mountain dogs are breeds with a relatively shorter lifespan. The average age at death of the ancestors of the pup is particularly relevant before breeding this dog. The breed does not generally go through C- sections since the size of the uterus allows for a healthy pregnancy.
Bichon Frise
| Best Age To Breed Bichon Frises | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5 years upto 8-9years |
| Female | 2 years upto 8 years |
The average litter size would be 4 puppies. The size of the dog matters, as, in cases of smaller dogs, the usual output is 1-3 puppies, whereas bigger Bichon Frises usually give birth to 3-5.
Bloodhound
| Best Age To Breed Bloodhounds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 6 years |
Since Bloodhounds are still growing and maturing during their first two years, many health tests looking at joints in particular (i.e. hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia,) cannot be definitive until the dog is 12 or 24 months old.
Border Collie
| Best Age To Breed Border Collies | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 9-10 years |
| Female | 18 months upto 9 years |
Generally, to get merle color in a border collie litter, a breeder has to breed for that specific color which is acceptable, as long as it is not by breeding two merles together. Breeding two merles together will almost inevitably cause deafness and vision problems in future
Boston Terrier
| Best Age To Breed Boston Terriers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5 years |
A common health concern with this breed is Dystocia. Dystocia occurs when the fetus faces difficulty passing through the pelvic canal. The female Boston Terrier has a narrow birth canal, hence, puppies with broad shoulders and wide chests have a hard time passing through.
Boxer
| Best Age To Breed Boxers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 9-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
Look for signs of swelling in your female Boxer’s genital area. She will often move her tail to one side. This behavior is called flagging, and it’s a prominent sign that she’s ovulating and ready to mate.
Brittany
| Best Age To Breed Brittany | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2-2.5 years upto 6-7 years |
Bred as a bird dog, Brittany’s are generally used in championships and hunting games. Therefore breeders have to be extra careful while raising not only the dam and sire but also the puppies. A thorough hip and joints check, health check, and DNA check are advised to breed a healthy litter.
Bull Terrier
| Best Age To Breed Bull Terriers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 1.5 years upto 8 years |
As compared to other dogs, the mother Bull Terrier tends to be more anxious. They can be a little scramble-brained at this time and therefore it is recommended to take them to the vet more frequently than other dogs
Bulldog
| Best Age To Breed Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 4-6 years |
It is advised to breed only 2-3 litters from a dam, with ample time between litters to let the bulldog recover to full health.
Cane Corso
| Best Age To Breed Cane Corsos | |
|---|---|
| Male | 24-30 months upto 6-7 years |
| Female | 18 months upto 6 years |
You will know whether a Cane Corso female is ready for mating or not bypassing your hand over its croup and loins: it squats without touching the ground with its rear and lifts the tail taking it aside.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
| Best Age To Breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2.5 years upto 5 years |
The littler size tends to increase the more time a Cavalier gives birth, but it usually caps at six puppies and often decreases after the fourth litter.
Chihuahua
| Best Age To Breed Chihuahuas | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.2-1.5 years upto 9 years |
| Female | 2-2.5 years upto 6 years |
Although small breed, one of the crucial elements for a safe Chihuahua pregnancy and delivery is for the pelvic region and hip width to be fully formed and at the maximum width. Younger than 2 years Chihuahuas also do not have strong enough knee and hip formation, which is so important for carrying extra weight.
Chow Chow
| Best Age To Breed Chow Chows | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 18 months upto 7 years |
Often c-sections will be required mainly because puppies that are too big to pass through the female’s birth canal. Puppies should always be handled with care and Chow Chows have a guarding instinct
Collie
| Best Age To Breed Collies | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
The older the dam, the smaller her litter is likely to be. Dams bred from two to five years old usually have larger litters. Regardless of her age, however, her first two litters will probably be smaller than those that follow.
Dachshund
| Best Age To Breed Dachshunds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 1.2-1.5 years upto 8 years |
The mating of two Dachshunds with the dapple gene or double dapples produces litters with an increased chance of serious health problems. The AKC does not register puppies from two dapple parents.
Dalmatian
| Best Age To Breed Dalmatians | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
It’s important to have a sturdy, clean, and sized whelping box for the litter. It MUST include a “pig rail” around the edge to prevent the Female Dog from laying on or smashing her pups, which is a common phenomenon in large breeds. It should be big enough to allow the Female Dog to turn around but small enough to prevent the pups from being “lost” in the unused portions.
Doberman
| Best Age To Breed Dobermans | |
|---|---|
| Male | 16-18 months upto 6 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 6 years |
If the female’s uterus is not strong enough for contractions, birthing can be difficult. Sometimes, if the litter size is large, it may result in difficult labor. However, Dobermans are strong breeds hence C-sections are rarely performed on them.
French Bulldog
| Best Age To Breed French Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 12 years |
| Female | 10-12 months upto 12 years |
The most notable standard of breeding a French bulldog is that any alteration apart from the removal of the dewclaws is considered mutilation. The time period of 9 days after heat is the time the female is fertile and will allow breeding. For breeding, ovulation will usually occur in the first 48 hours of this period.
German Shepherd
| Best Age To Breed German Shepherds | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 8 years |
As GSD dam ages, the quality of her eggs will begin to deteriorate, making it harder for her to carry out her pregnancies to full term or even causing stillborn puppies. Breeding a female earlier than two years may have negative effects like stillbirths or serious issues during whelping as her muscles may not be large or strong enough.
German Shorthaired Pointer
| Best Age To Breed German Shorthaired Pointers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5-2 years upto 8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7 years |
GSP females should not conceive in their first season. Because they are larger dogs, they need a minimum of 2 years to fully mature and go through possible pregnancy complications.
Golden Retriever
| Best Age To Breed Golden Retrievers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 10 years |
| Female | 1.5-2 years upto 8-9 years |
If in case a Golden Retriever has hip dysplasia or any other illness that can hinder the mating process, the dog must strictly not be mated. Mating largely depends on the willingness of the female Golden Retriever. If she is not ready, she can be quite aggressive and may attack the male in response. It is important to wait till both dogs reach sexual maturity in order to breed
Great Dane
| Best Age To Breed Great Danes | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7 years |
There are genetic issues associated with the specific colors of this breed. The merle color is often associated with deafness and eye problems. When breeding two merles together, the puppies have a 25% chance of inheriting two merle genes. Their chances of health issues also increase, hence it is considered unethical to breed two merle Great Danes with each other.
Havanese
| Best Age To Breed Havanese | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 9-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 8 years |
Start planning prior to your bitch coming into the season as a stud dog may be reluctant to perform in unfamiliar surroundings. It is advised to take the female to the stud. In some cases, the female will remain in the stud owner’s care for several days before or as mating takes place
Labrador Retriever
| Best Age To Breed Labrador Retrievers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 10-11 years |
| Female | 1.5-2 years upto 8-9 years |
There are a number of inherited conditions to which Labradors are susceptible. The minimum health clearances required for a Labrador are hip scoring and eye testing. It’s a good idea to wait for two years and make sure that the female dog has fully grown physically before breeding
Maltese
| Best Age To Breed Maltese | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5 years upto 9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
Toy breeds have a slightly increased need for a c-section but anatomically Maltese are a well-proportioned breed which the majority of the time whelp normally and without much human assistance.
Mastiff
| Best Age To Breed Mastiffs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 10-12 months upto 9 years |
| Female | 18 months upto 8-9 years |
One CANNOT leave a dog of that size alone with the puppies, especially newborns. There would rarely ever be an empty spot on the floor for her to find or a safe empty spot to lie down, and she would kill (squish) some of the puppies while trying to lie down or sleep. This does happen VERY often with very large-breed litters that are left unsupervised
Miniature Schnauzer
| Best Age To Breed Miniature Schnauzers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 8 months upto 12 years |
| Female | 1.5-2 years upto 7-8 years |
Canine Reproductive specialists say that a healthy female can be bred until the number of pups in her litter drastically decrease.
Newfoundland
| Best Age To Breed Newfoundlands | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7 years |
There must be at least 12 months between litters. Newfoundlands should only be sold in countries that have a reciprocal agreement with the Kennel Club and not to those countries, by reason of climate or philosophy, are unsuitable.
Pomeranian
| Best Age To Breed Pomeranians | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 8-10 years |
| Female | 2-3 years upto 5-7 years |
Male Pomeranians, unlike their female counterparts, don’t go into heat and can mate any time of the year effortlessly. They are more likely to be bred more often than females. However, most breeders don’t agree with this and would rather give the males a break too to ensure good sperm condition.
Poodle
| Best Age To Breed Poodles | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 8-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
If a female undergoes a C-section, it is recommended to retire the Poodle from breeding. In the case of toy poodles, it’s best if the female is larger than the male for better chances to deliver naturally and produce puppies within the “toy poodle” range
Pug
| Best Age To Breed Pugs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 18-24 months upto 8 years |
Hemivertebra is an inherent disability in the Pug Breed that does not show up immediately but commonly appears from young adults onwards, hence it is imperative to perform health checks on the dogs
Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Best Age To Breed Rhodesian Ridgebacks | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years to 8-9 years |
| Female | 2-3 years upto 6-7 years |
The average litter size of the Rhodesian Ridgebacks litter is around 8 to 10 pups in a single litter. It is one of the few dogs that birth such a massive litter in one go, solely owing to the sheer size of the dog.
Rottweiler
| Best Age To Breed Rottweilers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 15-18 months upto 9-10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 8 years |
With the female Rottie, the key reason for most failed breeding is wrong timing. The vet can to an extent narrow down the most effective breeding time, based on age, size, discharge, and hormonal changes, however, it is likely to be a hit and miss
Shetland Sheepdog
| Best Age To Breed Shetland Sheepdogs | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2-2.5 years upto 7-8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 6-7 years |
It’s advisable to wait for a minimum of 2 years to breed a Shetland because they will then process the proper gametes for procreation. Before that, the breeding process may be unsuccessful due to a lack of vitality and biological fluids.
Shiba Inu
| Best Age To Breed Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5-2 years upto 8 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 6 years |
Shiba Inus have an average litter size of two to five pups. This small litter size is due to the small build of this dog. This breed has a coefficient of inbreeding of 6.9%, which is slightly higher than the recommended average for purebred dogs (6.25%).
Shih Tzu
| Best Age To Breed Shih Tzus | |
|---|---|
| Male | 8 months upto 9-10 years |
| Female | 2 years - 7 years |
It’s not recommended at all to take 2 “runt” Shih Tzus and allow them to mate in an effort to produce very small-sized Tzu puppies. It is very unethical and very dangerous to the health of the dogs
Siberian Husky
| Best Age To Breed Siberian Huskies | |
|---|---|
| Male | 12-15 months upto 10 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
Larger female dogs like Huskies take a bit longer than males to mature. It’s not advisable to breed a Husky until she has her second heat cycle. Huskies have their first heat cycle at 5 to 7 months, but their body isn’t mature enough for breeding at that time.
Spaniel (Cocker)
| Best Age To Breed Cocker Spaniel | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 6-7 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-6 years |
It is common for Cocker Spaniel dams to experience a sudden drop in temperature during and after the delivery. It’s advisable to take the help of a vet to ensure that the process is smooth.
Spaniel (English Springer)
| Best Age To Breed English Springer Spaniel | |
|---|---|
| Male | 2 years upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2-2.5 years upto 7-8 years |
Only physically sound and mature dogs of stable temperament are fit for breeding. These characteristics can only be determined before the age of two years for either males or females.
Vizsla
| Best Age To Breed Vizslas | |
|---|---|
| Male | 18 months upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 8 years |
It is strongly recommended that breeders wishing to reduce the risk of elbow dysplasia should select their breeding stock (both dogs and bitches) only from animals with an overall grade of 0. Elbow Screening remains mandatory.
Weimaraner
| Best Age To Breed Weimaraners | |
|---|---|
| Male | 15-18 months upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 7 years |
A common dystocia problem that happens in Weimaraners is when during birth the umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck of a puppy. This not only makes the birthing process challenging, but a puppy may begin to suffocate if the tube is not removed quickly.
Welsh Corgi
| Best Age To Breed Welsh Corgi | |
|---|---|
| Male | 6-12 months upto 6 years |
| Female | 18 months upto 8-9 years |
It’s advisable to wait till a Corgi’s third heat cycle to breed. Failure to do so may result in health issues in the dam and the litter upon reaching maturity. The optimal number of litters for a female Corgi is between 3 and 4.
Even though a Corgi could easily whelp more than four litters, it is highly recommended that we must not exceed this number.
West Highland White Terrier
| Best Age To Breed West Highland White Terriers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1.5 years upto 5-6 years |
| Female | 1.5 years upto 5-6 years |
When breeding, Highland White Terriers often deliver via C-section. The birthing difficulty is a common occurrence among breeds that have large heads combined with the female dog’s small frame
Yorkshire Terrier
| Best Age To Breed Yorkshire Terriers | |
|---|---|
| Male | 1 year upto 8-9 years |
| Female | 2 years upto 5-7 years |
Because of the small size of the breed, when a female is going to be paired with a male, the female should weigh more than the male. This is vital to help the dam to carry well and deliver with the least complications. The male should be under 4 pounds (1.81 kg) or 4 pounds maximum.
Things to look out for while preparing to breed a litter
| Research about the breed and understand the commitment | |
| Know about the breed demand and have a good, credible clientele | |
| Research and thoroughly know about caring for the dam before, during, and after pregnancy and delivering | |
| Devote time to learning about the process of puppy birthing to raising | |
| Be prepared for emergencies | |
| Watch dogs in action and study pedigrees | |
| Get registered | |
| With your dog, mate another dog that will complement them, meaning, find a dog that will help overcome your dog's weakness. E.g., If your dog doesn't have the desirable coat color, mate them with a dog that has | |
| Raise your dog to have a fantastic temperament – calm, friendly, curious and find a dog that has an equally good temperament | |
| Get multiple thorough health checks done on both the dogs | |
| Know your dog's genetics – the puppy's health, soundness, temperament, coat quality, color, looks, etc. will be passed on from gene to genes | |
| Learn about chromosome numbers and structure as they're directly linked to genetic diseases |
![How to Find a Breeding Mate for Your Pet [Step-by-Step Guide]](https://petmeetly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/find-breeding-mate-dog-2-400x250.png)