Oldest age for first litter?

[Hurtwood Dogs]

Sorry, I did have a quick look but couldn't find anything immediately - what's the oldest age medically recommended for a first litter (working cocker)?

[smartietopdog]

Hope someone knows, I'd be interested to find out too!

[Ninasmum]

The advice i have been given is a recommended age between 2 & 3 years for a 1st litter, and ideally closer to just over 2 years.  Not before the age of 2 as they need to mature.
This i would think is the same for show/working cockers.    It will be interesting to see if others have the same idea on this. 

[Jane S]

There's no maximum age written in stone for a first litter - we've had first litters without problems from 4 year olds but not sure I would go beyond that age personally. There seems to be general consensus that 5 would probably be too old for a first litter (due to greater risk of complications). However a very fit, lean bitch may well have no problems having a first litter at 5 - it would depend entirely on the bitch.

[cockerhoop]

i suppose there is a maximum age
as the KC specifies litter cannot be registered for pups born to a bitch of greater than 8 years of age at mating

[Jane S]

i suppose there is a maximum age
as the KC specifies litter cannot be registered for pups born to a bitch of greater than 8 years of age at mating

The OP was asking about the maximum age for a first litter (I hope nobody would ever be stupid enough to mate an 8 year old bitch for the first time!)

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

i suppose there is a maximum age
as the KC specifies litter cannot be registered for pups born to a bitch of greater than 8 years of age at mating

The OP was asking about the maximum age for a first litter (I hope nobody would ever be stupid enough to mate an 8 year old bitch for the first time!)

Ok im going to ask a seriously stupid question but please be gently with me because i knows nothing about breeding. Why? what difference does it make that they have had a litter before? Again im sure this is a very studid question 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I don't know much about it either but one reason is issues with flexibility etc - so once a dog has had a litter when they're youngish and still very flexible, as long as all was well in theory, it would be able to accommodate another litter when a bit older as the bones and joints have already stretched and flexed to accommodate a litter. If the dog had a first litter when much older and less supple, then there are more likely to be problems with joints etc...

But I'm sure someone who knows about it will be able to explain more and more fully!

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

I don't know much about it either but one reason is issues with flexibility etc - so once a dog has had a litter when they're youngish and still very flexible, as long as all was well in theory, it would be able to accommodate another litter when a bit older as the bones and joints have already stretched and flexed to accommodate a litter. If the dog had a first litter when much older and less supple, then there are more likely to be problems with joints etc...

But I'm sure someone who knows about it will be able to explain more and more fully!

That makes sence, thanks 

[bluegirl]

Its like a young woman of 20 and an older woman of say 40+ having their first child. The risk of serious complications are much higher for both fetus and mother the older the female is.

[cbabe]

Ideal age for a first litter (in my opinion) varies from bitch to bitch. Gypsi was far more mature than Bryony so Gypsi had her first litter at 3yrs old and we have waited till Bryony is 4.
I won't mate a bitch until she is over 2 yrs old as i like them to enjoy being puppies first (pathetic eh!)

Clare