I agree with Barbara............I bred my Sel. Ch. Kena until she was 9 and then her daughter Ch. Tindrock's Light My Fire (new ROM--waiting parent club approval) had a litter of 3 when she was 10. Yes, I know that is old, but she was in good condition and pumped out those 3 puppies. One of the puppies from that litter, now 4 years old, recently became a qualifier for her ROM, so that would have never happened (since I don't keep many for myself, selling most as companions to get them in good homes) if I hadn't bred her at 10. She lived a healthy life for almost 2 years after her final litter. Kena lived almost 4 years (over age 13) after her last litter. Even Dr. Hutchison says to breed them to a ripe old age if and only if they are in good health and condition. I have two 8 1/2 year old litter sisters, one just got her ROM and I'm getting ready to breed her again. Her sister, who has huge litters is sitting this season out but I will breed her again. I kept a puppy from her recent January litter and she is a spitting image of her grand dam, Ch. Fire, which is very exciting for me! (I guess she should be a spitting image since her sire is my AOE Sel. Ch. Fire Storm!). Anyhow, why would anyone not breed a nice producing bitch, until an older age, if they are healthy and in condition? That's my opinion. Cheryl Olson/Tindrock ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2010. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================