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How old is too old to breed?

I just wanted to know what everyone thought the max age on a female is to have pups, especially one that has never had a litter before. The blue bitch I bought in May is due to come in around the middle of December and only comes in once a year. Since she is still basically still new to me I will not have her bred this time 'round. I had rather enjoy hunting with her for a year or so first. I would eventually like to have her bred cause I really like the way she hunt thus far. She is six years old now and has more go to her than my 2 year old. She gets hunted 4-6 hours 5-7 nights a week and shows no signs of slowing down. She is also a show champion. Brains and beauty...gotta love it. I always read up on everyones opinions about different stud dogs so hopefully when and if at all I decide to have her bred the choice wont be so diverse. I'm still learning about the different lines slowly but surely. Wish I knew about Jet IV though, he is in her pedigree. Heard about 5 and 6 but not 4. And even though I do pay attention to what people say about the different lines and studs out there I still have no idea as some seem to have a knack for in determining what will match up well with what.

Boy did I get side tracked or what? Anyways if (and thats a BIG IF) I decide to have pups with her and the fact that she has never had pups before, would you be afraid to have her bred at 7-8 years old if she is still in perfect health or would it be too hard on her at that age with no experience?

If she is in good health and shape you shouldnt have any problems

iv had females 10 yrs old that had pups .if they are healthy ,mother nature will let them have pups if they are ment to.most times they only have 2-3 pups when they get that old.

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Thanks for replying

Wildbill, it really dont matter if she has a litter of 2 or 10 I just thought I like the way she hunts, her conformation, manners in the pen, how she handles in general, ect and if I found a male that I thought would match up well with her I would give it a try. Even though that decision is a year or two away when the time comes that I think we're ready then I will still make a visit to my vet for his opinion and get whatever test the stud owner needs before she gets bred. I've never raised puppies before and want to take every precaution I can. And in the end if my vet says I shouldnt for some reason have her bred then I would have no problem with that either and would just shop around till I found pup I liked. I just wanted some opinions and experiences from other hunters that waited till a later age on their hounds before they had them bred. Thanks again.