Experts recommend breeding a female dog only three to four times in her lifetime. Breeding should start when the female dog is between one and two years old, when physically and emotionally mature. Each pregnancy should be separated by 12 to 24 months to allow the female to rest and recover. After giving birth, she needs time to heal before becoming pregnant again, especially if she had a cesarean section.
Some breeders carefully breed their females twice a year for several cycles before spaying them. If nutrition and health are closely monitored, this can be done safely. However, breeding too frequently increases health risks for the female. An older female, over 8 or 9 years, should not be bred at all due to higher risks.
Most experts recommend mating the dogs every other day while the female is in heat, for a total of two or three matings. This is usually enough to achieve pregnancy. Attentiveness to the female’s health and responsible breeding practices, with guidance from veterinarians, are key to preserving dog breeds while ensuring the dogs’ well-being.