Undoubtedly, Golden Retriever is one of the best dogs for the family, and it is worth its popularity. Further, with the outrageous fame and hype in demand, the breeding process has become a focus of many owners and breeders. But reckless breeding has become a severe problem. Hence, it is necessary to know when a Golden Retriever is too old, too young, or in perfect health status to breed.
When is a Golden Retriever too old to breed?, Golden Retriever after the age of eight years is too old to breed. Just like humans, organs and their functioning declines after Golden Retrievers reach a certain age. So, the dogs will have lesser vigor to breed and produce puppies.
But to keep your dog on the safer side, it is better to stop breeding after it turns six years.
Moreover, the appropriate age to breed your pal plays a vital role in producing happy, active, and enthusiastic puppies. Therefore, you need to look for several things before you decide to breed your Golden Retriever.
Furthermore, I will be disclosing all the necessary information with the age when a Golden Retriever is too old to breed further in this article. But before digging into this topic, let us see when Golden Retrievers matures sexually.
When Can A Golden Retriever Start Breeding?
Generally, to breed a Golden Retriever needs to be sexually mature. So, when will these dogs attain sexual maturity?
Moreover, in contrast to humans, these dogs become sexually mature at a very early age. Further, the breed type, age, health status, and medical history of your pal also influence maturity time. Therefore, male Golden Retrievers mature as early as five months old, while the females must get their heat cycle to start breeding.
Furthermore, larger dogs start breeding a little later than smaller dogs. Thus, Goldendoodles might start to breed when they are four months. But larger dogs like English Golden Retrievers need to be at least 5- 12 months old to be mature for breeding.
However, even though these dogs attain maturity a little too early, they don’t show the desire to breed until they reach a certain age.
Thus, do you know the signs that indicate your pal wants to breed?
What Are The Signs That Your Golden Retriever Wants To Breed?
If your pet isn’t in birth control, it urges mating to produce puppies after a certain age. And as these dogs cannot communicate verbally, they express their desires through different signs.
Therefore, the signs that indicate your Golden Retriever wants to breed are as follows:
Breeding Signs Of Male Golden Retriever
Although male Golden Retrievers attain maturity too early, they do not show the drive to mate unless they are 12-15 months old. Furthermore, during this period, these dogs are highly fertile. And thus, these dogs show some signs to indicate their desire to mate and breed.
Therefore, these signs are:
- Following a female Golden Retriever in heat
- Mounting and excessive barking
- Frequent urination
- Escaping from the windows and doors
- Anxiety
- Aggression
Breeding Signs Of Female Golden Retriever
Unlike males, females Golden Retriever shows some prominent signs to indicate its desire to breed. Further, these dogs need to complete the proestrus stage to become fertile. And after about 5-12 days of the estrus phase, they will gain the urge to breed and mate.
Moreover, the signs that indicate their desire to breed are:
- Flagging of tail
- Swollen vulva
- Pinkish or bloody vaginal discharge
- Exposing the rare ends
- Raising the tail
- Restlessness
- Panting
Despite their desire to breed, breeding them at inappropriate age isn’t good. And it might lead to a life-threatening health hazard. Therefore, it is necessary to know the best age for breeding your pal.
But do you know when to breed your Golden Retriever? If not, then read further to get the answer.
When Should You Breed Your Golden Retriever?
Although Golden Retriever attains maturity at a very young age, it needs to be physically, mentally, and emotionally developed for breeding. Thus, it is best to breed your pal only after it grows fully.
Besides this, the breed type, health condition, age, and medical history also influence while determining the best age for breeding your Golden Retriever. Usually, to breed and produce happy, healthy, and active puppies, the reproductive system of your pal must be mature enough.
Furthermore, for fertilization, you should breed your Golden Retriever in a highly fertile stage. Therefore, you must wait until your pet is about one year old for mating or breeding in the case of a male. Similarly, the best age to breed female Golden Retrievers is after they complete three to four heat cycles.
Moreover, most breeders consider that these breeds become strong and mature enough to breed once they are two-year-old.
Thus, it is better to breed these dogs after the age of two years.
However, do you think your pal can breed throughout its life after the age of two?
Is breeding a senior dog safe?
When Is A Golden Retriever Too Old To Breed?
Generally, it is natural that the functions of the organs start slowing down as Golden Retrievers start getting old. Besides this, senior dogs have a weaker immune system that makes them prone to various health hazards like cancer, hip dysplasia, eye disease, heart disease, ear infections, diabetes, thyroid problems, etc. So, the puppies born from these breeds inherit the disease-causing genes of the parent.
Moreover, the oldest age to breed a Golden Retriever may depend on different factors like:
- Type of breed
- History of medical condition
- Present health status
- Sex
So, the dogs with relatively lower health issues can breed until they are a little older.
However, the age that is too old to breed a Golden Retriever is as follows:
How Old Is Too Old For A Female Golden Retriever To Breed?
Unlike humans, female Golden Retrievers don’t experience menopause. Thus, they can breed to produce offspring throughout their lifespan after attaining maturity.
But breeding a too old Golden Retriever invites many health issues in both the parents and offspring. Moreover, the reproductive organs of females become weaker as they grow older. Besides this, the dogs fail to provide enough nutrition and carry puppies safely when they are too old.
In addition, the puppies born from older parents are at higher risk of health issues (miscarriage, stillborn, prolong labor, etc.) and have a shorter life. Along with this, after the pet is eight years old, the urge to mate and produce puppies fades.
So, female Golden Retrievers after eight years are too old to breed.
How Old Is Too Old For A Male Golden Retriever To Breed?
Since male Golden Retriever attains maturity at an early age, it gets a natural drive to breed earlier than females. So, by the time of 15 to 18 months, these dogs become old enough to breed.
But as this dog gets older, it becomes weaker and more vulnerable. Besides this, the sperm count of dogs also declines gradually after your pal gets eight years old. Furthermore, they will also have lesser vigor and energy to breed at this age.
Thus, a male Golden Retriever needs to use more energy to impregnate a female. As a result, your pal may suffer from joint problems, cancer, hip dysplasia, weakened immune system. And the puppies produced are more susceptible to hereditary disorders and autoimmune diseases.
Further, due to the higher chances of health issues in puppies born from senior dogs, most kennel clubs don’t register the puppies born from dogs above eight years. So, to keep your pal and its puppies on the safer side, you must not breed your pal after it is six-year-old.
Undoubtedly, breeding older Retrievers isn’t a good idea. But do you think breeding dogs when they are too young will do good for them and their puppies? However, as you read further, you will find some points where I tried to clarify whether breeding younger dogs is beneficial or not.
Why Shouldn’t You Breed Your Golden Retriever Too Early?
Although, Golden Retrievers become sexually mature enough to breed at a young. But before two years, the puppies are still in the growing phase. Besides this, the womb of these dogs isn’t strong enough to bear the puppies and carry them.
Along with this, the dogs aren’t mentally, physically, and emotionally developed to bear the responsibility of young puppies at the initial phase of sexual maturity. Therefore, when you breed your pal at an early age of 6-7 months, the vulnerable and fragile Retrievers suffer from various health complications. And they are:
- Higher chances of prostate and ovarian cancer
- Multiple miscarriages
- Complicates deliveries
- Prolonged labor
- Injuries at copulatory tie
- Decrease in immunity
- Greater risk of hereditary and autoimmune diseases
- Birth of stillborn puppies
Thus, if breeding your Golden Retriever as soon as it attains maturity is one of your plans, think again about this idea. However, I guess it is better to wait until your pet grows fully before breeding so that both the mother and puppies will have a healthier life.
Besides this, do you know some indications that show it isn’t beneficial to breed your pal?
When To Stop Breeding Your Golden Retriever?
Undoubtedly, breeding Golden Retrievers is essential to get the puppies according to our desire. But it also invites a lot of health issues in your pal. Furthermore, there are higher chances of your pet suffering from cancer, joint problems, hip dysplasia, etc., after breeding.
So, to promote a healthier and happier lifespan for your pal, you should better spray or neuter them after they are one year old. However, even if you breed your pal, you can still keep them safe from health complications by being a little conscious about the breeding process.
Thus, be careful and stop your Golden Retriever from breeding if it shows the following cases:
- If your Golden Retriever is older than six years
- When the born puppies are stillborn
- If the puppies inherit the health complications of their parents like cancer, heart disease, eye disease, constipation, blindness, aortic stenosis, joint problems, thyroid disorders, and many more
- When you give birth to six or more puppies in a single pregnancy
- If the gestational phase and delivery become complicated with multiple miscarriages, prolong labor and delivery times, etc.
- When your pet doesn’t show interest in mating
- If the puppies suffer from autoimmune diseases and health hazards soon after birth
Further, after knowing all this breeding information, what do you think is breeding good or not for your pet?
Is Breeding Your Golden Retriever A Good Idea?
When you look at the outrageous popularity of Golden Retriever, you might think breeding this breed and inviting new puppies is the best idea. But since the risk of health issues increases in these dogs and their puppies after breeding, it is better not to breed them.
Besides this, breeding can result in many puppies. And as these dogs are high maintenance breed, you need to invest more time, money, and effort in those puppies and their mother.
However, here are some advantages and disadvantages of having a Golden Retriever. First of all, go through both the pros and cons of having these dogs. And then, decide whether you want to breed your pet or not.
Advantages Of Having A Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever is working as a companion of humans ever since its existence. And thus, it has a lot of advantages. Moreover, some of the benefits of having these breeds are:
- Golden Retrievers can accompany your kids while playing.
- These dogs are excellent hunters.
- As Golden Retrievers can understand human emotions, they can give you emotional support when you are low.
- They love and protect their owners.
- These breeds love socializing and steal everyone’s attention.
- Golden Retrievers are sporty and can be your partner in several games.
- These breeds are highly energetic and active. Thus, they make your house lively.
- If you train these dogs, they can assist in service activities.
- They are the best companion for elderly and sick people.
- The contagious smile, hugs, licks, and cuddles of Golden Retriever can relax you.
- These dogs are friendly with good attributes and temperament.
Disadvantages Of Having A Golden Retriever
Like two sides of everything, there are some drawbacks to having a Golden Retriever. And they are:
- These dogs are more susceptible to different health hazards like cancer, eye diseases, heart diseases, constipation, joint problems, thyroid disorders, etc.
- Golden Retrievers love eating. And if you fail to control them, they are more likely to get obese.
- The dense and thick double-layered skin coat needs a lot of care and grooming. Further, your pal might suffer from ear infections, eye diseases, parasitic infections, allergies, etc., if you fail to care for the skin coat.
- These dogs prefer moderate temperatures. Thus, your pal gets colder easily below 10º.
- Golden Retrievers are a needy breed so, they can invade your privacy sometimes.
- These dogs shade a lot. Hence, it is harder to keep the house clean with them.
- Golden Retrievers are expensive dogs. And grooming, caring, and feeding cost of this high maintenance breed is very high.
- Further, these dogs need frequent health checkups. So, you need to spend more money if you want to give your pal a healthy lifestyle.
Do you think you can outlook these drawbacks and focus on their positive aspects?
Can you afford to own a Golden Retriever?
Some Tips To Breed A Golden Retriever
Undoubtedly, the brilliant attributes of Golden Retriever can overshadow its flaws. So, if you decide to breed your pet to get healthy puppies, you can follow the following steps for healthy breeding:
Caring Tips Before Birth Of Puppies
- Prepare yourself and research to know the best way of breeding your pal.
- Healthy puppies with lesser health issues and longer lifespans must be the objective of breeding your Golden Retriever. And always focus on this objective.
- As parenting Golden Retriever and its puppies is a huge responsibility, you must understand it and work hard to complete it dutifully.
- Always select the breeding partner of your pet that has lesser health complications, a longer average lifespan, and good temperaments.
- Don’t forget to study and analyze the medical history and gene type of the breeding dogs.
- Take your pal for pre-breeding checkups to know about the health status of your pet.
- Encourage your Golden Retriever to mate with the partner you choose for them.
- Watch the signs of pregnancy in your pet and ensure its safety.
- Provide nutritious meals and essential food supplements for your pet. And try to give more emphasis on healthy natural snacks as treats.
- Makes sure your pal gets proper exercise according to its health condition.
- Cut your pal’s umbilical cord and remove its placental sac after delivery. Besides this, help your pal relax during delivery using a soft, comforting, and low voice.
Caring Tips After The Birth Of Puppies
- Frequently consult your pet for the best ideas to breed your Golden Retriever.
- Keep the puppies of your pet comfortable, warm, and safe.
- Register the puppies online through Online Litter Registration or download the application, fill it and send it to the AKC.
- Start introducing the puppies to dog foods after they are two months old. Begin with a liquid diet, moist foods, and solid meals.
- Select a good home for the puppies if you cannot manage all of them.
- Talk to the new owners and encourage them to register the puppies in the AKC.
Moreover, I hope all these ideas help you while you breed your Golden Retriever.
Summing up, breeding Golden Retrievers is both a challenging and exciting process. And if you could healthily breed your pal, you can bring the best out of them. So, you need to research and understand everything about mating, breeding, feeding, training, and caring for your Golden Retriever before breeding.
Further, after reading this article, I think you know what age is too old for Golden Retriever to breed.
Do you think this article helped to clear your doubts?
What do you think about the ideas and the information present in this article?
The comment box is waiting for your suggestions and reviews.
