I wondered if anyone can give me some advice?

A friend of a friend, has just been given a springer bitch, around 3 years old. The lady concerned has been told that the bitch has already had 6 litters!

The lady has also been told that the breeder may want the animal back for more litters. I was sure there is a limit on this and wanted to tell her. I'm sure someone out there will know!

Only having castrated males, this is not exactly something I'm very knowledgable about

Dear god

I doubt there's a law but I'm sure the ever responsible Kennel Club has guidelines on it. I dare say you could use these as a grounds to report them for animal abuse. Might be worth speaking to a vet to see if what they think. Proving she has had that many litters may be a different matter though.

Since first posting, I've looked at the kennel club web site, but it seems it's more a code of practice, if you want to be registered.

I can't believe that there isn't legislation about over breeding

There are rules and regulations but they only apply to Kennel Club registered bitches/pups. Working unregistered bitches/pups those rules do not apply.

Personally I doubt if she could have had 6 litters at 3 years. Even if generously you were to guess her first season at 9 months and bred on that and each 6 months thereafter would be
Litter 1 - 1year
Litter 2 - 18 months
Litter 3 - 2 years
Litter 4 - 21/2years
Litter 5 - 3 years

If you see where I'm going, it just doesn't add up.

The Kennel Club rules are here
Kennel Club Rules

In particular it states

Before thinking about breeding from your bitch, you should acquaint yourself with the Kennel Club Regulations on registering litters and the registration system in general. A Guide to Litter Registration can be obtained from the Kennel Club, but you will need to remember that the Kennel Club will not accept an application to register a litter when:

1) The bitch has already whelped six litters, or

2) The bitch was under a year old at the date of mating, or

3) The bitch has already reached the age of eight years at the date of whelping.

im afraid they will issue kc papers even if the bitch is over 8 at the time of whelping, you just have to fill in another form, and it costs a bit more, sad isnt it

BYB breeders, bad breeders and puppy farmers have always done that, as well as using dead or other dogs papers to register litters!

It happens in rescue too - accidents (which do happen when the sexes are allowed to mix) can be passed off as "hand ins"!

I know what you're saying about it not adding up.... I thought that too. But I was told she was around 3, which could mean she's nearly 4!

If this was the case, and she has had 6 litters, Kennel club rules say...no more? So I can tell the person who has the dog now, that the breeder shouldn't be allowed to have her back for any more litters?

But apart from that, basically, there's nothing that can be done about it?

So, I am a bit puzzled.
If she has been "given" this dog, why doesn't she take her to be spayed?
The scar heals to invisible in about six weeks.
She just wouldn't come in to season again.
What a pity for the breeder.

Like I said it seems highly improbable - but who knows! The age of the bitch may have been deliberately wrongly stated, the number of litters may be wrong.

The advice I'd give the friend of a friend is very simple - have a vet examine the bitch, he will guestimate the age of the bitch or possibly also guestimate if she has been bred from frequently and he will be the best person to support the friend if she decides to challenge the owner/breeder or have the bitch spayed (I'm sure most vets will find a good reason if they have to! ).

Sound advice! I will suggest this to the lady who has her.

I still think it's time someone actually legislated against things like this, but I suppose it all comes down to costs