How to Know when to Stop Breeding a Male Dog

Co-authored by Tom Robertson

Last Updated: November 11, 2022 References

Most male dogs can sire litters even when they are senior dogs. However, sperm counts decrease and it can be more difficult for male dogs to get female dogs pregnant. To know when it is time to stop breeding your male dog, consider his age and check his overall health.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Considering the Dog’s Fertility

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Consider your dog’s age. When deciding whether your dog should continue breeding, think about how old he is. Most male dogs can breed until they are senior dogs, but it is difficult for older dogs to get females pregnant.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Tom Robertson
Dog Breeding Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} After your dog is around 10 years old, you may want to stop breeding him.^{[2]
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- Some believe that certain small breeds shouldn’t be bred after age seven, while other breeds can be bred up to age 12. Talk to your vet or consult your kennel club to see what’s recommended for your breed.
- If you choose to breed after that age, you should understand that the odds of your dog getting a female pregnant is significantly lower, so pregnancy may not occur.
2
Recognize that the sperm count can decrease as the dog ages. Most male dogs can breed until they die. However, sperm counts decrease as the dog gets older.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Tom Robertson
Dog Breeding Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} The dog can still breed, but it may be difficult due to the lowered sperm count.^{[4]
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- If you are unsure about your dog’s sperm count, consult your veterinarian.
3
Check the conception rates. Your male dog should have little trouble getting healthy females pregnant. This means that the female dog should get pregnant when she mates with your male dog. If the dogs are not getting pregnant during the matings, it may be time to stop breeding your male dog.^{[5]
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- If this is occurring with your dog, you should take them to the vet to get them checked out.
- You can also stop breeding your dog completely.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Evaluating Your Dog’s Health

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Take your dog to the vet. If you are unsure about whether or not you should continue breeding your dog, take them to get a checkup by the vet. The vet can check your dog to determine the overall state of their health.^{[6]
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- The vet can also advise you on whether or not you dog should continue breeding.
- Your vet can do a sperm count and see if your dog's sperm levels are dropping off.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tom Robertson
  Dog Breeding Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
2
Avoid breeding your dog after an injury or physical problems. Infertility is uncommon in male dogs. However, it can occur if your dog suffers an injury or infection that affects the reproductive system. Other physical problems may result in you needing to stop breeding your dog.^{[8]
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- Injuries or degeneration to the testicles or reproductive system may cause problems with reproduction. Infection can also cause reproductive problems.
- Arthritis or other mobility problems can make it impossible for dogs to continue breeding.
3
Stop breeding your dog if he has bad health. You should evaluate your dog’s health before breeding them. Only male dogs who have the best health should be bred. If your dog’s health has started to decline, you should stop breeding him.^{[9]
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- When you get ready to breed your dog, take him to the vet. Get a thorough checkup so you will be positive you are breeding a dog with great health.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Examining The Condition of Your Dog

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Determine if your dog is still up to breed standards. As your dog ages, keep a critical eye on him and evaluate him frequently. You should make sure the dog continues to adhere to breed standards. If your dog is not up to standards, he should not be bred.
- For example, your dog’s coat should stay a certain way, and his gait should be up to par. These things may deteriorate with age and may affect the dog’s breeding.
2
Evaluate the litter sizes. If your male dog has produced a smaller litter size than you expected, it may be time to stop breeding him. This can be an indication of a fertility problem with your male dog.^{[10]
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- You can compare the litter sizes to previous sizes of litters your dog has sired.
- If your dog hasn’t sired many different litters, you can compare the litter size to litters from other dogs of the same breed.
3
Determine if the dog is still interested in mating. Some male dogs can experience hormonal changes, which can affect their reproduction. Due to these hormonal changes, your male dog may no longer be interested in mating with females in heat.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How many times can you breed a male dog?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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Male dogs have an almost endless capacity to breed. But immediately after one successful tie and mating, the male will have a depleted sperm count, so bear this in mind if the dog is to sire puppies.
Question

When should you stop breeding a male dog?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Any dog is considered senior when they reach 8 years old. Whilst the male may still be capable of mating after this age, the quality of their sperm starts to degrade, so there is an increased risk of infertility problems.
Question

Can a dog be too old to have puppies?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, the rigors of pregnancy and giving birth is too much for an older female dog to cope with. As a rule, the female should have a first litter (if she is going to be bred) before around 4 years of age. She should not have further litters once she is 7 years or older.