I would like to know what is considered the best age for a dog to sire his first litter - thanks

Trisha, it would seem that studs start from 10 months upwards, the majority seem to be 18-24 months. Average age of sire of litters is 48 months.

A dog needs to be min of 12 mths old before a litter can be reg with the KC
I maybe think 10mths is a bit young for a deerhound but than I think it would just depend on the dog itself

Dogs seem to reach sexual maturity some time between 12 and 18 months and it differs slightly for each dog. I think 10 months would be very early for a Deerhound to sire a litter, but I have read of it happening.

Pam

suerose wrote:


As I know to my cost, a bitch needs to be twelve months before she's mated in order for a litter to be registered with the KC. And Tavish and Dileas didn't think ten months was too young, unfortunately. Pity neither of them let on at the time, but there you are. That said, I believe it's unusual for dogs that young to be sexually mature.

Sid wrote:


Excuse my ignorance but if they mate when under 12 months is it that they then cannot be registered? What happened with the pups from Tavish and Dileas's mating?

houndy wrote:
[quote

Excuse my ignorance but if they mate when under 12 months is it that they then cannot be registered? What happened with the pups from Tavish and Dileas's mating?[/quote]

It's the bitch who needs to be over twelve months at the time of mating - doesn't seem to matter if the dog is under age, so to speak. And Tav and Dileas's pups both went to excellent pet homes - WendyS on the Forum has Isla and the other one lives with a family in Fife.

Can I add that as we all know deerhounds mature late and you don't know what your 'stud' will turn out like until maturity. Hopefully that would be an important factor when choosing to use a dog at stud.

that is a very good point Liza

Thinking of advertizing then?

No-was just interested to know really

Always good to know new stuff eh??

yes indeed