need your help.I've rarely ever bred a bitch back to back and rarely ever more than 2 litters in their lives.Two of my girls broke that rule due to my family's accidental breedings when I've been hospitalized and the fact that one of my girls had produced a litter before becoming a part of our family.No one runs with a male nearing a heat cycle now.I have a couple of girls that have never had a litter for one reason or another. I have always felt that a bitch needed to be a superior producer of quality and NEVER at the request of puppy buyers.I also would never want to join the ranks of a puppymill and get the reputation of just cranking out puppies.With a past history in doing rescue,I've lashed out against BYBs for doing just that.I do plan litters carefully and keep something from almost every litter if possible,even if only on a co-ownership arrangment.So here's my quandry.....I do have a waiting list for puppies,some repeat buyers from years ago and I take into consideration the age of the bitch as I have never bred a bitch over 5 years old and with my vet's opinion that the bitch is very healthy.I once even had Xrays done before breeding a bitch as her back always seemed tender to her.It turned out she had some pretty bad arthritis in several places so I felt it would cause her pain carrying a litter so she was never bred.She was only 4 years old.Summer litters are so easy so this would be a perfect time...pending what I find out at the heart transplant center on the 9th.Hubby and I are hassleing over this.

You probably know the answer better than anyone.

Hi Becky, if I read your post correctly, is your dilemma over whether to breed a litter for those on your wait list??? As for age, I'm okay with breeding up to 7 years old if the bitch is in great health. But I am a firm believer that litters should be bred with the intent of the breeder wanting to keep at least one puppy and not to just satisfy others.

I've been on and have seen many people be on wait lists for over a year. If the breeder is worth it, they will wait.

Erika, Marquee, & Magnum

to Spain and placed a great male show pup with Genoa,I truly wished I had kept a pup.My girls are aging with Savanna retired and now 8,and PJ almost 5,and both Star and Rave 5,and Dolce over 4 with ovulation issues,I kind of feel like my foundation is crumbling.Becks will go to England at the end of the year.Thinking of breeding wasn't only the waiting list as I know they are willing to wait and I had decided to wait until next year originally.I was thinking more of the timing I guess and just everything.

I think you should do what your gut tells you to. Only you know best.

Erika, Marquee, & Magnum

i think you have excellent dogs! (i know i'm a bit partial here), but really the quality in kayden is just bind blowing and let me tell you, you've got a LOT of NC fans down here. You are so trusted in the breeding world with all the other good breeders that if you think your girl should have a liter then i don't think anyone would question it. You've got to keep c-side akita's producing wonderful pup's for the world! So i say GO FOR IT! I know i would never doubt your decisions. And you've got a LONG LIST so.. i have no doubt they'd all get good homes. I don't think anyone would ever put you in the byb category. If they do.. you and i will GO AFTER THEM! Trust yourself.. you've been doing this for a LONG time.

Elea, Sierra, Haylie & Kayden

I'm so glad Kayden was a good fit for you.My puppy owners have made me very happy 99% of the time.I'm far from perfect but I do try to do the right thing.

the people will understand your issues and will wait....its your timing not theirs...they will be patient....

PENNY

You are killing me! You know that you are a responsible and ethical breeder and you dont need anybodys permission or approval to have a litter.

sometime's people's perceptions can be hurtful.I usually don't play the game by what anyone else thinks but I was recently told of comments about my "breeding practices" on another list.That kind of stunned me.My breeding practices?It literally said that I seem to be all about numbers these days.I know many of the "big" breeders have numerous litters per year,one right after the other and that seems ok but let someone else have more than a "perceived acceptable amount" and the buzz starts.Of course the question would be...how many litters are too many?I always felt like if the litters were well thought out and clearances done and you could provide excellent homes,then at least that covered the basics.

makes me sick.....grrrrr

that someone said something about your breeding practices.. .Are you kidding me.. I don't know anything about the show/breeding world.. but i would think recently they haven't heard much from c-side akita's b/c you've had other things going on. Don't pay them any attention.. you show me who's talkin smack at nationals.. i'll go "akita" on them! You breed whatever you think is right.. forgot those people!

Elea, Sierra, Haylie & Kayden

because of the quality of your dogs. They want to try and give you a bad name or something because your dogs are better than theirs and they feel threatened/jealous. Sort of a "conspiracy theory" but really the only thing I can think of as to why someone would say something about YOU of all people. If I want to give someone an example of a responsible breeder, YOU are who I think of.

Do you have older pups that just wouldn't sell, waiting to be sold? NO!

Do you give your pups to just anyone, because you have a hard time finding homes? OBVIOUSLY NOT, as you have a long waiting list.

I say, if YOU feel it is the right time for a litter (which it seems like you do), GO FOR IT and to hell with what any of the naysayers say!

Whether or not you decide on another litter of pups is nobody's business - but since you asked, I say take of yourself first - there will always be another opportunity for another breeding, but another heart for you? At some point, you need to put your health on the front burner, and maybe this is just the Big Guy's way of saying "take a little break for awhile..."

Take care of yourself first, so you can continue doing what's right by your Akitas, as always -- The breed needs you in good health, girlfriend !!!

Becky:
You know that I have had serious misgivings about the whole realm of breeding and its lack of legal definitions (ie puppymill, hobbyist, AKC breeder, byb).
Please google up and read this on line article by Charlotte McGowan (AKC judge), What is a Puppy Mill
Please focus on point #4 where she speaks of overpopulation as 'rhetoric' and why, and then #5 that Petland and Hunts exist because AKC breeders are NOT fulfilling the demand for quality pets.
To all the world you know what you are. I surely know what you are (and I mean that in a good way).
You are not someone who should/needs to be challenged about breeding.
(Among others), people that NEED to be challenged about breeding are folks that breed without AKC paperwork for the parents and ultimately for the get.
And, by the way, if you study or look at a genetics chart/study, it IS about the numbers.
When you posted you alluded to an accidental breeding. If this is an already occurred breeding situation then I would look at this situation like that of the Native American community...All new life is a thing to welcome. Even if an unwed girl is pregnant, the new life is not responsible for the parents actions an is to be welcomed into the world.
An unplanned breeding from a kennel such as Countryside should not be a reason for termination of the pregnancy.
Becky, you state that summer is an easy time and I think that you have a pretty good support network. It may do your heart good to play with the pups during recovery.
The answer is inside of you.
My advice is to stop posting on the other Forum.

Well, I re-read your post and see that you are currently "not expecting."
I understand your concerns about your breeding stock.
While older breeders have to weigh in an entry and then a very conscious exit strategy (upon retirement), I do not think that you are, by any means, ready to retire as a hobbyist...
Please know that I firmly support your ultimate decision.

The accidental breedings I was talking about was the recent Slider X PJ litter,now 5mos old.I was in the hospital after a stroke and my family was not vigilant ( I think they were partying )and the year I went to Holland the first time,4 years ago,my family "forgot" I had a bitch in heat so let her run with a male.Nothing is bred right now.I will make a decision after my Dr visit this Thursday if the bitch is still in heat.Thanks so much for your vote of confidence

I obviously don't know much about....much, lol, but, screw what those other jerks are saying. I know, easier said then done, but try your best not to listen.

I mean, from me, just a pet person, reading that you don't usually have the bitches bred more than twice is HUGE. That tells me that you actually care. Know what I mean? I don't think anyone would ever put you in with the puppymillers. If anyone did say something like that, they are just being an a-hole. Maybe trying to get you riled up for one reason or another??

And reading "felt that a bitch needed to be a superior producer of quality"...that is how is should be!

Just see what happens on the 9th, and go from there. What is the recovery time for a heart transplant? Maybe you can have one more litter before then, and you can keep a couple of the pups.

I don't doubt that you will do what's right. Pretty please try not to listen to others, when it comes to your breeding "practices". Whatev.

I don't think you should be spending any more time on that forum, especially if others did not back you up after those comments were made. If they know you, even just for a short while, they should know better. Don't listen to any of that BS. If you chose to have multiple litters this summer I still would know that you are, what I consider to be, an example of a reputable breeder. You ALWAYS have the dog's best interests in mind, and that, my friend, is why when the time is right to add another Akita to my family, it would be one of yours, if you approved my application.

I am with Elea, I want to "GO AKITA" on them with her. Don't let those fools upset you! I, for one, will stand behind any decision you make!

Love,
April, Muggsey,Vixxen, and Klondike
Akitas (and Mals) Bring Happiness!!!

YOu don't need the headache anyway on that list... I know several reputable breeders , who have had more than two or three litters a year.. You don't need it.. and besides you know some people talk shit about someone else just to make themselves look or feel better.. YOu have enough health problems and this isn't helping your blood pressure.. Just take it easy and if you want to breed... do it.. I have been wanting a nice big boned , big bear headed, great temperment, thick coated, great confirmation.. should I go on .lol so do what YOU want to do..

Take care of yourself... xo