Expert: Jannie Balliett - 9/4/2009

Question
My 6 year old Boxer was bred once at 5 years of age and produced a healthy litter of 7. It's now been 15 months and counting since her last heat. All of the literature I've read indicate heats can vary greatly depending upon the bitch. She's perfectly normal and healthy in every aspect, but at what point should I get concerned? I've only owned her 2 years and the previous owner can't tell me much about her past heat cycles. Also, what's a good age to retire? She's a very young, spry 6 year old and has only had one litter. I was hoping to have 1-2 more litters from her and retire her at about 8 given her health and energy maintains. Thanks

Answer
Her heat cycle should be every 5-6 months.

Heats don't vary by once a year, let alone 15 months.

Have your vet draw blood for a thyroid test.

Thyroid disorders are common with Boxers, and cause the female to have sparingly heat, or no heats.

This is probably the case. A simple pill a day fixes it.

Also, I highly recommend NOT breeding her again- never past 5 years old.

The average life span for a Boxer is 10 years- so she is half way through her life- too old to go through pregnancy, whelping, and nursing. The physical toil it takes on the bitch is tremendous, let alone the emotional one.

It would be like a granny giving birth.

"Retiring" her at 8 years old is cruel. I'm sorry for being blunt- but that is absurd, cruel, inhumane, and leaning toward "puppy mill" breeding.

FOLLOW-Up

Sara,

First, there are no typographical errors. I am a professional writer and editor as well as a breeder and trainer of Boxers.

Secondly, I was not impolite, nor gave any incorrect advice.

I do not believe any vet would encourage a person to breed their 5-6 year old Boxer 1-2 more times. She is at half her life span and considered past breeding age.

If you have 2-3  vets that gave opposite advice- I would imagine it to be able to get the money earned for additional puppies through her. I don't know. I have 6 vets, (one is a mobile vet that comes to my home after whelping a litter) and none agree with breeding after the age of 4 years old. Once a bitch is 5, she is half her life span- and changes occur. Heats become erratic like a menopausal woman.

My advice is sound, was polite, and if you took offense about the bordering on the "puppy mill" statement: if the show fits.........