After much consideration of all the input from so many of my peers here, I've decided to do the research as many here have implied, to get an accurate definition on the term "of breeding age" as spelled out in the rules here at ZV. And here's what I have found:
I went to, what most will agree is, the highest authority for dogs... akc.org . There I found their article titled
AKC's Guide To responsible Dog Breeding. Please click on that link for your own reference.
While I'm not going to "copy-n-paste" the entire article, I will focus on the two paragraphs that are germane to our topic here. Again, feel free to read the entire article in the above link.
Here's a "copy-n-paste" of those 2 paragraphs:
"Bitches have their first estrus (also known as “season” or “heat”) after six months of age, although it can occur as late as 18 months to two years of age. Estrus recurs at intervals of approximately six months until late in life. During estrus, the female is fertile and will accept a male. The bitch should not be bred during her first season."
"Keep in mind that AKC rules do not allow, except with special documentation, the registration of a litter out of a dam less than 8 months of age or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating, or by a sire less than 7 months of age or more than 12 years of age at the time of mating."
Of the two paragraphs above, the 1st one does state that the dog "should" not be bred during her first season. Now I realize that most here will jump on that and state your claim. I get that. However, when you read the entire article, you will find that all of it is about the dog getting pregnant. Not about sexual activity alone. They even state that "the female is fertile and will accept a male." Then their "guidance" is she should not be "bred" at this time. Remember, this is about the burden of bearing pups, not about sexual activity.
Then we can move on, to the second paragraph which states that the AKC will not allow the registration of a litter out of a dam less than 8 months of age... at the time of mating. This directly implies that the AKC will allow and accept the registration of a litter, out of a dam, that is 8 months of age or older. Period.
Before I continue, I want to make crystal clear, none of what I'm posting here is to be misunderstood as justification for what I did. Period. Full stop.
What I am stating is that, even when going to the highest authority, it is
still easy to come away with the understanding, or misunderstanding, that a person having sex with his female dog is following the rules here at ZV, as long as the dam is 8 months or older. As you know, my dog was over 10 months old.
While I am 100% happy to follow any and all rules as laid out here at ZV... with the degree of vagueness provided in said rules pertaining to my actions, I'm communicating to you that nobody should be subjected to the level of rebuke that I have endured, for
doing my level best to follow these rules in good faith. I hope that all can see that, even when doing our level best, this rule is far too vague to properly inform and guide us in the proper and accepted conduct by our membership here at ZV.
I would like to also add:
I'd like to communicate to all here just how much I love and care for my companion. She means the world to me. I rely on my companion for emotional support and for my very well being. If I were a veteran, I would qualify for a specially trained dog. But because I'm just a civilian, I do not qualify. My dog literally brings joy and meaning to my life, as I have PTSD. I've been going to a very good therapist for many years now and have made much progress, but because I cannot afford a professionally trained dog, I got my beautiful girl from Craigslist.
My point here is that, I would never knowingly do ANYthing to bring harm to my sweet girl... ever. I love her to the ends of the earth. Honestly. She gives my life meaning... She brings joy in my heart and helps to chase my depression away. This is why I felt I found a home, a safe place, where I could share to other like minded people, all my joys and good things that my girl brings to me, here at ZV.
This is why my thread is so valuable and important to me. I'm not being stubborn here. I realize you don't know me from the man in the moon. So I've decided to share my more personal side as to why my dog is so very important to me, why I depend on her, and why I was caring on in my thread about all the wonderful things that she brings to my little life.
Please understand, sharing these details about my PTSD is humiliating for me to do, so openly. This is why I don't usually share this with too many here. I'm trusting that people will not look down on me for having such a terrible affliction as PTSD. I'm really going out on a limb here and baring my soul so publicly.
Again, I ask forgiveness for my transgressions.
SaltyDog...