Very Serious Question?

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KimboBimbo

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We would like to breed Bonnie next year, we have found her a lovely Liver and White Boyfriend with good "working" pedigree etc. We now have the space and 4 people who would like one of her puppies.

However, I have a question I am too embarrassed to ask my vet
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. She really does not like when other dogs get to close to her, she whimpers and is all submissive...

So....A) Is it worth even trying to "introduce" them?

B) As she is so timid, will she be able to be a good Mum?

Your thought's and experiences please?

X
 
Honestly? I don't like breeding from timid bitches. Is she timid in all aspects of life?

Traits from the bitch line can come through very strongly.
Are there any health problems associated with her breed? I would have her tested for anything and make sure the stud is too, if test results are ropy, don't breed.

I have known a couple of bitches who didn't like being mated. One type of person will strap a muzzle on and hold her there. Another will say 'hey ho, no puppies for us'.
We took a bitch across to England to a German import and she nearly ate him. We came home again, no point in damaging either her or the other dog.
She was mated on breeders terms a few years later and she was a crap mother and the pups were all mental (through the sire line, not our choice of dog!!!)

Just my opinions and ramblings, I am sure others will be of more help!
 
No! That's exactly what I wanted to know...Thank You! An experienced perspective.

She is not timid in all aspects of her life, she puts on her very scariest bark when someone knocks on the door and is positively outgoing with people and when my OH gets his guns out. On the occasions she has done some "big girl" working she is good with the other dogs, but prefers to be on her own. However she is quiet sometimes when we need her to bark, we had a horrible few hours last Christmas, whilst out on a shoot she got caught in some very dense brambles and no-one could find her, she doesn't bark when she's in trouble like this to let us know where she is?
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We have had her thoroughly checked over and she is fit and fine, although she has a little bit of extra skin (1mm) on her inner eyelid. And of course I would thoroughly check out any prospective mate.

First and foremost she is our pet and I will not do anything that will cause her distress. I did wonder however if being a Mummy might help her? But I wasn't convinced ....hence the post!
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In my experience, becoming a mother does very little to alter the temperament of a bitch, ie 'settle her down' as a lot of people will say.

She's a springer, right?

"Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joints that leads to arthritis, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which is a degeneration of the retina causing vision loss leading to blindness, are two such diseases for which veterinarians are working on genetic markers to determine carriers. Retinal dysplasia (RD) which can cause blindness and Phosphofructokinase deficiency (PFK) which is genetic deficiency which impairs the ability of cells using carbohydrates for energy are two other hereditary conditions that both lines of the English springer spaniel should be screened for prior to breeding. Health issues are usually similar in both types of English Springer however phosphofructokinase deficiency in particular can appear more in field lines, however carriers in show lines have been identified."

Those are things to look out for.

I do not know how badly springers are affected by HD, but the GSD breed has a pretty well established x-ray programme.
 
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Is x-raying breeding stock normal or is it just accepted? Obvs Sheps suffer badly because they have a lot more weight to bear, but you can't eradicate it unless you know which animals carry it, surely?
 
I'm not sure about show stock, but I would doubt very highly that working stock are tested for very much, other than general health. I would hazard a guess that if they are fab workers and a litter is wanted, they are bred from. Although I wouldn't bet my life savings on it.
 
Yes she is a zany crazy springer spaniel!

I absolutely refuse to breed her unless I know it is right for her and her puppies. I think I am going to have to go and visit my vet with her, who I have known since I was 4 and has looked after all my beasties, from Hamster to Horsey over 37 years! And be honest with him, although he is a bit like my Dad now (only in generation) and even at the grand age of 41 I hate to ask him silly questions because I get little girl flash backs!

I will scrutinise prospective mate and owners and probably scare them off with my paranoia! (Currently printing off your last reply to highlight important facts and ask Robert (vet) and Benson's owners!)
 
No worries
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Hen it would be interesting to know how much HD in springers is related to stress on the joints at a young age - obviously screening can help but accidental damage and overuse of the joints in puppyhood seems to be a factor as well - and we all know how bouncy they can be!
 
Most of the cases I've heard of have been in fairly young dogs (around a year) and have improved immensely with some swimming sessions (in a controlled pool, etc).
So I would guess that quite a few of the cases are mild, and down to to much exercise and not enough muscle. And perhaps down to the Vets being a little quick to mention HD.

I do know of one Springer that apparently has no socket at all, but is so well muscled that it manages to do days out working, how true it is, I'm not sure though
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Hee! Hee! Just got back from lunchtime walk, she now stinks and my staff have banished her to the yard, following on from a long "swim" in the brook and then the pond....don't worry I have got her in wrapped her in her towelling bag and she is now sleeping it off in her basket, under my desk! I am oblivious to the smell!!!!
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Thank you for your thoughts...do you think she knows the angst she causes me?
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My beloved springy spangle?
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Not that Henry is a Springer (he is of course far superior to those ruffians
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) but his gait has improved no end since he stopped being a flobba and turned into a Lean Mean Bin Diving Machine, so I think his hips must be better
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[ QUOTE ]
Most of the cases I've heard of have been in fairly young dogs (around a year) and have improved immensely with some swimming sessions (in a controlled pool, etc).
So I would guess that quite a few of the cases are mild, and down to to much exercise and not enough muscle. And perhaps down to the Vets being a little quick to mention HD.

I do know of one Springer that apparently has no socket at all, but is so well muscled that it manages to do days out working, how true it is, I'm not sure though
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[/ QUOTE ]

I had a lovely little GSD bitch many years ago and she had awful hips. Prof at Liverpool vet hospital said she would be a cripple by the time she was 2. She lived until she was nearly 13 with never a days lameness, she was always on the go and swam regularly, my vets believed the fact she had no sockets worth speaking of was in her favour, nothing to form arthritis
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Re the OPs question, I have also known of bitches who were force mated (not mine I should add) who then had problems whelping, or single pups, or proved to be awful mums. I think it is natures way of telling us things sometimes. As CC has said, other than temperament I would definitely do some more research on HD in your bitches lines and the dog you are planning on using.
 
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