Breeding Penny

As you know I was at a show last weekend. I didn't show Penny, but Sunday night George invited the 4 Irish judges over (2 husbands and wives, and one 8 year old daughter) to his house for dinner.

Well I took the opportunity and when they were there I asked them if they would take a look at Penny. It had nothing to do with me breeding her, I only wanted to listen to the judges and learn.

2 of the judges were Gundog group judges. One of them (Sean Delmar) told me that even though she is 7 and never yet had a litter, I should breed her. The other Gundog judge seconded that. He said that I should also breed her to bring new blood into Europe (Penny is from American lines).

Now I'm torn. Penny's hips were rated as B, at that time I flat refused to breed her because I only wanted to breed from HD free dogs. Now I am not sure if I want to breed her because she is getting old. I don't know what would be the best thing to do.

Penny is AKC reg, and if I breed her I will get her FCI reg. Not to mention getting an affix.

Could you please give me your honest opinions. Thank you

Isn't 7 rather old to breed a first litter from? Sorry if it's not, but I was always led to believe it was. I'm thinking of finishing breeding from my girls at 7 years old, not starting from them.

My dogs are a bit smaller than yours so maybe 7 is acceptable, I'm sure somebody will be along soon to give some advise.

That's what I mean, she is getting old. That's why I'm asking, to see what other people think and what their experiences are. I've never been in this position before

Sorry Kate

But I also think its a bit too old. But I have no experience to back it up!

Hi I would think 7 is too old for a first litter too. Sorry

Karen

Hi Kate, I agree with the others, 7 years old is too old for a first litter. I have experience of Irish Setters not Gordon, but 2 1/2 to 3 is the best age for a first litter in those breeds.

Kate - In my opinion, 7 years old is too old to be breeding a maiden bitch.

Sorry Kate but I agree with the others, 7 is far to old to let a maiden bitch have puppies. At her age the bones are to set and firm and she could have severe problems giving birth, it would be different if she had had a litter before.

I won't breed her. But now I feel so angry that I was so pigheaded that I didn't breed her before, just because of a hip score, and my "morals". Now I have to wait another 4 years.

I think you were right not to breed her before if her hips aren't that fantastic, would have been awful if the pup's hips were even worse.

How come you have to wait another 4 years? If your Mum wanted to breed a litter from Lucy they obviously wanted another dog, why not buy a pup now? Then you'd only have to wait 2 years!