My cousin has 2 Staffys. Only the male is KC reg. The male is 3 years and the bitch is 11 months.

He had mentioned breeding them but a few family members and myself told him that at the minute it wouldn't be a great idea due to people not having as much money and the fact that Staffys always seem to have a bad reputation.

I honestly thought he had taken it all on board. He said he was going to spend time doing plenty of research, start showing and then in the future he would go back to breeding if it was something he was still interested in.

How ever he has just put on facebook that a few weeks ago that he found them mating and now the vet has said that the bitch is most likely pregnant. Apparently he had no idea that the bitch was in season as he hadn't seen any signs of it.

Part of me thinks this is just an accident and couldn't be helped. But then another part is thinking its just an excuse.

The vet said that 11 months is young but it isn't going to cause too many problems.

He wont get the mismate at all. He doesn't like the possible health problems it could cause.

Is it difficult to spot a 1st season?

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It can be difficult to spot a season, but not if you've got an entire dog, or for that matter any other dog, as they usually spot it for you and you can see a change in behaviours.

Is the bitch endorsed? Would it be worth contacting her breeder if she's KC registered? I'm sure they'd love to know about his *plans* (and I use that term very loosely).

And at the vet, I wish I knew 'em, I'd give them a piece of my mind. Eleven months is just a baby, and the mismate jab should be their first port of call, I find it unbelievable that vets support this sort of thing.

I sometimes loose the will to type responses to posts (I'm sure some folks would be thrilled to hear) and this isn't aimed at you at all OP, but it does get so frustrating, you just want to scream some days.

Please also tell your cousin staffies suffer from genetic conditions which, if he hasn't tested for, a puppy buyer may just decide to sue him for not informing them or making sure relevant tests are in place with the results made available to puppy buyers.

I could tell when my Yorkie was in season as her lady bits would get very swollen and puffy and would go about twice/three times the size as it normally is. And she liked herself a lot and then there would be little spots of blood on everything she lay on.

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Bonnie 29.01.97 - 21.09.11
Millie 01.02.01
Seamus 09.07.00
Tyler 08.11.00
Kiki 15.10.10
Chico 01.07.11
Riley & Louie 16.02.11
Holly & Ivy - 11.11.11

No idea about endorsements. The male has been health tested he said but I have no idea what the results are. Bitch hasn't had any done as cousin said she was too young to have had them done.

My cousin is 29 so older than me and I have always looked up to him and I adore him. But this just stinks of accidently on purpose.

I have told him that he could have her spayed instead of the mismate jab and then still continue with his plans in the future to show and breed. He told me that the vet didn't mention that being possible and only told him about the mismate jab and the various side affects.

He said he would ring another vet tomorrow and see what they advise as he is worried about the risks to her if they continue with a pregnancy.

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good lord 11 months old! poor thing shes just a puppy herself shes not physically or mentally mature to have puppies...this could lead to all sorts of problems,

also staffs must be DNA tested For L2 HGA, DNA Tested For HC, Eye Tested For PHPV , Eye Tested For PPSC , i really hope you can convince him to insist the vet gives her the mismate

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With the females I have had before they were spayed, the swelling that is the first sign was really obvious, then followed by visible discharge. Ive heard people mention silent seasons and things so I suppose its possible that occasionally or some females dont show visible signs, but if he has a male too, then usually it drives the males mad, and he would have shown loads more attention I would have thought.

Sounds all very convienient!! At barely a year old she is not much more then a puppy herself, so its not only going to be the physical implications if any on her
its also a matter is she mentally mature enough to cope and teach a litter of pups what they should be learning from mum. They say the temperament of the bitch especially has a big implication on the pups.

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I wish I lived near him as I could go round and give him a piece of my mind. I do hope it was an accident and I am wrong about it being on purpose as it hurts to think someone I care so much about can be so bloody stupid.

I just really hope that the other vet he goes to see will tell him that either the risks of a pregnancy at her young age far outweigh the risks of the mismate or that having her spayed will be safer than the pregnancy.

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I'm just about to dash out, but can I just say well done to the OP, I know your cousin is older and you look up to him, but you obviously have a much more mature mind when it comes to these things and can see the problems he's possibly facing, and the risks he's putting his bitch through, it's just not fair to allow such a young girl to go through this sort of experience. I look after entire dogs quite a bit of the time, not once yet have I had an accident in three years, nor the six years I've kept my own entire bitches; yes, accidents do happen, and anyone with entire animals has to be careful, I'd never say it will 'never' happen to me, but it all seems a bit convenient given his stated plans.

Thanks ever so much. Though I must say I have learned probaly 100% of what I know about breeding from this forum. Before I had joined here I sort of assumed you got a bitch and a dog and they do the deed and then there are puppies. My Mum mentioned something about health tests when she was looking for her Leonberger but I didn't pay much attention.

I find breeding very very interesting (providing it is done properly) which I why I spend most of my time on this forum in this section and I have come to realise that quite a lot of breeding is done very badly.

Back to the cousin story, my aunt has just seen his status and is not very happy at all. So he he might be almost 30 but I think his Mum is going to be having strict words

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My girls vulvas blow up like a balloon and turn black when they are in season... Everyone humps (I am a bitch only house), they mark like crazy and are hormonal.

11 months is too young. The pups can't be registered because the dam was under 1 at the age of mating. Shame on your cousin.

29 isn't young (I'm 29 and staying there forever lol) should know better.

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