How old do Westies have to be to breed?

How old do Westies have to be to breed?

Westies are sexually mature at six to 12 months, so start training your puppy early.

How many puppies can a West Highland terrier have?

The typical litter size is between three and five puppies. The breed is predisposed to conditions found in many breeds, such as abdominal hernias. Westie puppies may be affected by craniomandibular osteopathy, a disease also known as “lion jaw”, and is sometimes also referred to as “westie jaw”.

What age can dogs start breeding?

In most cases, you should wait until your dog is at least one year old to mate him with a female. Keep in mind that large and giant breeds need more time to fully grow, so you should wait until your pooch is 18 to 24 months old to breed him for the first time.

How old can you breed a female dog?

The bottom line You should absolutely avoid breeding a dog older than 8 or 9 years old. If your dog has not yet had a litter, even this is too old. As soon as you decide that you do not want to breed your female (again), you should have her spayed.

At what age do you temperament a puppy?

7 to 8 weeks

Is it bad to choose the runt of the litter?

So to answer the question, YES it is ok to pick the runt of the litter providing they have passed necessary health check-ups and the breeder has given the necessary care for them after they were born. Any runt can live just as well as any other puppy, providing they are looked after.

How do I pick the best puppy?

How do I choose a healthy pup?

1. Talk to the owner. Ask about appetite and eliminations.
2. Observe the litter mates in action. Do they all play or is there a quiet one that retreats to a corner?
3. Survey their overall appearance. Do the coats shine?
4. Watch them move. Do they hop around on all four legs?

Is the biggest puppy in the litter the best?

Go for Mr Average. The biggest puppy in the litter can turn out to be the greediest one – he probably pushed the other puppies away to get the most food. The smallest one often can’t fend for itself and consequently doesn’t get enough food.

Are first litter puppies healthy?

Most do well, but with a little care, we can help first-litter moms be as effective as an older mom in puppy care. 45 percent of the losses with females happen in first-time moms, but most breeders rarely lose a puppy with any mom because they know the issues they face and prevent them!