Bluedogman
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Lumpkin, Ga
Posts: 8757 |
When you say READY do you mean being able to reproduce or mature enough for breeding purposes? The below is from the Foster and Smith Veterinary site. Please note the last sentence!
"Q. At what age do dogs become sexually mature?
A. Male puppies will display mounting behavior at a very young age (3-4 weeks), but are not producing sperm. This puppy mounting behavior will often disappear in a short time and then reappear as the dog approaches puberty. Half of male dogs will display mounting behavior by 5½ months of age, and will become able to sire a litter around that age. Note that some male dogs may be able to sire a litter before 5 months of age - 5 months is the average.
Female dogs become sexually mature (have their first heat) between 5 and 12 months of age. Small breed dogs tend to have their first heat around 5-6 months, while some giant breed dogs will not start to cycle until they are 18-24 months of age.
Although most dogs are sexually mature by one year of age, dogs should not be used for breeding until they are at least 2 years of age."
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Johnny Williams
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