A retrospective study on some reproductive parameters of German shepherd bitches in Kenya

Data relating to reproductive parameters of German shepherd bitches were co llected from registered German shepherd dog (GSD) breeders with information kept over a 25-year period (1982-1997). The information obtained was verif ied using the East African Kennel Club records. A total of 594 bitches from 280 breeders were recorded. From these, 798 heals were observed, 594 of wh ich were used for breeding, resulting in 3592 puppies. The mean age at pube rty was 519.0 +/- 41 days. Pleats occurred throughout the year, although si gnificantly (P < 0.05) higher and lower incidences were observed in October and April respectively. Pregnancy significantly (P < 0.01) increased inter oestrous interval, which was 247.8 +/- 99.0 and 183 +/- 52 days among bred/ pregnant and non-bred bitches respectively. Most bitches in oestrus (73.7 % ) were bred, and breeding was carried out throughout the year, with a distr ibution closely related to that of heat incidence. Subsequently, whelping o ccurred throughout the year and 95.5 % of the bitches that were mated whelp ed. A mean gestation period of 60.6 +/- 5.1 days was observed. The mean lit ter size was 6.4 +/- 0.4 puppies, and did not differ significantly between months. The preweaning losses were low with 2.3 % stillbirths, 0.9 % culls and 11.4 % mortalities.