How Often should a Mom have a Litter of Puppies?

We have done Extensive Research, reviewed this with our Veterinarian, follow their approval, monitor the Health of our Mom's VERY closely, & research some more. Our Veterinarians Thoroughly assess and monitor the health of our puppies/dogs. We will always do what is best for the Mom's, Every time. The ultimate goal for each Mom here is that by the age of 5-6 years, they will be retired/spayed to enjoy a long, relaxing, and joyful life together with their Adoptive Family/Owner. What most studies have shown is that it is better to breed the mom's consecutively while they are young and then retire them earlier, versus skipping cycles and retiring them later.

Please review below, a study that was presented:

Recently at an AKC Dog Breeding Symposium held at Michigan State University with keynote speaker Dr. Claudia Orlandi Ph.D. (AKC's breeder of the year and author of The ABC's of Dog Breeding) shocked many breeders when it was disclosed that there have been scientific studies to show that it is detrimental for bitches to skip heat cycles. It was shared that once you have begun to mate a bitch that you should NOT skip any heat cycles until she is completely finished breeding. A bitch is said to be "finished" breeding when her litter size is drastically decreased. The study involved following females that were bred every heat cycle and females that were bred every other heat cycle. After they were "finished" breeding, the bitches were spayed and their uterus dissected. Those showing most stress, and damage of the uterus were the females that were bred "every other" heat cycle. Part of the rationale that skipping heat cycles is harmful stems from the fact that with consecutive heat cycles there is no "flushing action" of the uterus, that normally occurs by having a litter of puppies. The female will go through Estrus no matter if she is bred or not and by breeding a healthy bitch back to back, can lessen the chances of the female experiencing pyometra, infections, and false pregnancies. The choice to breed or not should be contingent upon the goals the breeder has and for sure the mental and physical health of the female, above all else. The important information to take away from this study is that a breeder with healthy females does have "choices". (Posted on FB by American Liberty Kennels 11.05.2012)