Female dogs will have their first heat anywhere from 6-12 months of age. However, you should never breed from dogs in their first heat. Ideally the minimum age for breeding is 2 years. This is to assure that she is fully developed mentally and physically and any genetic defects she may pass onto her offspring have had time to surface. Breeding under 2 years increases the chance of puppy rejection and mismothering and it also increases the likelihood of birthing difficulties. If a C-section has to be performed there are certain inherent risks and costs involved.
