[trayart5682]

Hi All,

I have a Female basset that isn't spayed as I was planning on breeding her. She is 2 years and 4 months old and only weighs about 35 lbs. I imagine she may fill out a bit more. I am feeding her 4 cups (I upped her amount as I had 4 dogs in the household previously which only allowed me to feed her around 2 cups a day) Call of the Wild Bison/Venison food daily.

I am wondering if it is okay to breed her if she doesn't get much bigger. then she is now. I am hoping I can at least put another 10 lbs on her... but I am not sure that matters if she doesn't grow in length or height anymore, which I am doubting she will due to her age. Doesn't seem like it would be a good idea for her to carry a large litter and be so much smaller than most bassets.

I don't want to breed her if it could put her life at risk (more so than any other basset pregnancy).

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SophieB]

I don't know what others think, but your Basset sounds very small and lightweight compared to most Bassets I know... my Basset girls are quite big (not fat, just chunky) and weigh 68lbs and 70lbs... and when you said you could only feed her two cups of food a day because you had four Bassets, are you implying that you couldn't afford to feed her sufficient food for good growth?

Maybe that's not what you were implying, but if it was, then how can you afford to breed from her? Have you a couple of pics of her please?


Edit: Here's a link to an old topic where someone was asking about an underweight (36lbs) Basset.
http://www.basset.net/boards/basset...s/9809-picky-eater-point-she-underweight.html

Here's a Basset Hound that is possibly around the size of yours (although it's a boy) and I wouldn't like to think of a Basset this size having eight or more pups growing inside her....

Hopefully Mikey and the forum members who breed and show will help you better than I can!

 

[Kirska]

Quote from another member on the topic:

There are so many back yard breeders out there, adding to the dog over-population problem and producing bassets with all kinds of health and genetic problems- please don't become a part of this problem.

If you truly want to breed bassets to make the breed better and not to make money, you need to attend dog shows, find a mentor, and be willing to do the hard work of learning what breeding is about.

So my advice to you would be to find someone in your area who is a reputable breeder- someone who shows their bassets and is concerned with the betterment of the breed rather thatn someone who is making puppies to make money- and start educating yourself about breeding by talking to that person.

http://www.basset.net/boards/faqs/12390-help-new-puppy-breeding.html

 

[Mikey T]

Hopefully Mikey

not a breeder,

I am hoping I can at least put another 10 lbs on her... but I am not sure that matters if she doesn't grow in length or height anymore,

It certainly does matter weight is a boor indication of body condition, You do not want an over weight dog putting on fat is detrimental to the health of the dog
Corpulent Canine

I am wondering if it is okay to breed her if she doesn't get much bigger

No and it has nothing to do with the bitche's size. It is the mere fact you are not prepare to breed and take the responibilty that that entails. As indicated by the question in the first place.