[PRIYERZ]

I am about to adopt a puppy from a family who just had a litter of puppies.

The mom is a german shepherd, dad is a boxer. I saw the mom-- she was 1 year according to the family, and they said it was an accident. They intended to breed her with the dog she bred with, but it happened much earlier than they wanted it to.

I have heard that you are not supposed to breed the female until she is 1 years old. Could this cause problems with the puppies?

Is there anything else I should think about when these two breeds are crossed?

[Todd]

It is not recommended that a female dog have pups when she's under the age of 2 years old or before reaching full maturity. Smaller breeds reach maturity more quickly, however in this case you are dealing with 2 large dogs (boxer and shepherd) therefore they should not have been breed before the age of 2. They don't seem to be very reputable breeders or else thy would have never allowed this incident to occur. As far as this causing problems for the pups later in life, it is very posible, however not always applicable. Furthermore, having to deal with a litter of pups at a young age (before fully mature) could really stress out the mother. As far as the pups go, here's an article excerpt on this;

Though dog breeding too early is not illegal according to animal control or the American Kennel Society, it is consider immoral. In fact, dog breeding too early is considered a type of animal abuse. In addition, even though some dog breeders consider dog breeding too early a positive practice, sometimes a dog may be bred earlier than it is physical mature as well. Though a dog may be able to reproduce, all of its hormones take a while to become fully potent and thus dog breeding too early may cause more genetic mutations in the litter of puppies.

[PRIYERZ]

Do you think I should pass on this puppy? My concern is if I get a dog from a rescue, it can potentially have all the same problems that this puppy may/may not have. THe more research I do about how to "pick a dog" the more confused I get.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by PRIYERZ

Do you think I should pass on this puppy? My concern is if I get a dog from a rescue, it can potentially have all the same problems that this puppy may/may not have. THe more research I do about how to "pick a dog" the more confused I get.

Well being that this is a mixed breed and you're probably not going to breed them and can't show them, I don't see why you shouldn't adopt this dog. It is possible that it may or may not run into health problems but you can deal with those when and if they come about. No worries about passing along genetic issues since your not breeding them.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

It is not recommended that a female dog have pups when she's under the age of 2 years old or before reaching full maturity. Smaller breeds reach maturity more quickly, however in this case you are dealing with 2 large dogs (boxer and shepherd) therefore they should not have been breed before the age of 2. They don't seem to be very reputable breeders or else thy would have never allowed this incident to occur. As far as this causing problems for the pups later in life, it is very posible, however not always applicable. Furthermore, having to deal with a litter of pups at a young age (before fully mature) could really stress out the mother. As far as the pups go, here's an article excerpt on this;

Though dog breeding too early is not illegal according to animal control or the American Kennel Society, it is consider immoral. In fact, dog breeding too early is considered a type of animal abuse. In addition, even though some dog breeders consider dog breeding too early a positive practice, sometimes a dog may be bred earlier than it is physical mature as well. Though a dog may be able to reproduce, all of its hormones take a while to become fully potent and thus dog breeding too early may cause more genetic mutations in the litter of puppies.

Actually Todd, small dogs do not reach maturity quicker ie: 2 years. Larger breed dogs do not generally reach "full" maturity til closer to 3 years, smaller breeds by 2 years. Both reach sexual maturity before a year old. This though does not mean you want a puppy having puppies.
Noting that there are two different maturities, ie: sexual, when they can re-produce (though that does not mean they should anymore than a 11 or 12 year old girl) and full, when the dog has completely grown in physical stature ie: bone, organs and overall size.
Smaller breeds on the whole have reached full maturity by age 2, the larger breeds can go out as long as 3 years.
just an fyi

[PRIYERZ]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Actually Todd, small dogs do not reach maturity quicker ie: 2 years. Larger breed dogs do not generally reach "full" maturity til closer to 3 years, smaller breeds by 2 years. Both reach sexual maturity before a year old. This though does not mean you want a puppy having puppies.
Noting that there are two different maturities, ie: sexual, when they can re-produce (though that does not mean they should anymore than a 11 or 12 year old girl) and full, when the dog has completely grown in physical stature ie: bone, organs and overall size.
Smaller breeds on the whole have reached full maturity by age 2, the larger breeds can go out as long as 3 years.
just an fyi

Should this be considered a positive on the reasons to adopt or a negative??

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Actually Todd, small dogs do not reach maturity quicker ie: 2 years. Larger breed dogs do not generally reach "full" maturity til closer to 3 years, smaller breeds by 2 years. Both reach sexual maturity before a year old. This though does not mean you want a puppy having puppies.
Noting that there are two different maturities, ie: sexual, when they can re-produce (though that does not mean they should anymore than a 11 or 12 year old girl) and full, when the dog has completely grown in physical stature ie: bone, organs and overall size.
Smaller breeds on the whole have reached full maturity by age 2, the larger breeds can go out as long as 3 years.
just an fyi

Right. I meant maturity in general not just sexual maturity. Obviously the dog was sexually mature in this case or it wouldn't have been able to have pups in the first place. It's like with people. A 15 year old girl may be sexually mature but that doesn't mean she should go out and have kids now.

Originally Posted by PRIYERZ

Should this be considered a positive on the reasons to adopt or a negative??

It's obviously not a positive thing but it also isn't the most important thing when rescuing a dog. It's a lot more important when breeding or showing one.

[GSDS4Life]

A female should NOT be bred before 2 years. I take it that the owner of the GSD has not had any health/gentics testing done. See ETHICAL breeders have all testing done BEFORE they breed. They also have titles behind their dogs also. EHICAL breeders also have contracts. If you are not showing, then they have a s/n contract. And what health/genetic testing was done on this Boxer?

I have raised GSD's for over 20 years. All have been neutered(as per contract)

This breeder is what I call a BYB(backyard breeder) they are only in it for the money.

Seriously, there are far too many dogs in shelters needing loving homes. I would go the rescue route. Yes they may have health issues. But don't think that they haven't come from breeders like this one.