Be Alert for Signs of Labor
A few days before the bitch is ready to give birth, she may stop eating and start building a “nest” where she plans to have her puppies. If it was introduced properly, this should be in the whelping box you have prepared for her.
Shortly before whelping, the bitch’s body temperature will drop to 99 degrees or lower (from a normal temperature of 100 to 102.5).
Approximately 24 hours after her temperature drops, she can be expected to enter the first stage of labor when the cervix dilates and opens the birth canal for the passage of puppies. At this time, she will pant, strain, and appear restless. This stage of labor is followed by actual abdominal straining and production of the puppies and placentas.
You should have on hand your veterinarian’s phone number and the number for your local emergency veterinary clinic.
Step Seven – Perform Pre-Breeding Health Checks
Good puppies start long before mating ever takes place. Both parents need long-term pre-breeding care—what dog people call conditioning—to produce the best offspring. This means regular veterinary care, screening for genetic problems, pre-breeding tests, and regular exercise and good nutrition. Bitches should not be overweight and should have good muscle tone before breeding. Additionally, a bitch that is in good mental condition will make a better mother than a bitch that is insecure, snappy, or has an otherwise unstable temperament.
One month before mating, the bitch should have a thorough pre-breeding physical examination by a veterinarian, and ideally a veterinarian who is well-versed in and supportive of canine reproduction. Her vaccinations should be current, and she should be tested and treated for parasites.
You may also want to have the bitch and dog tested for brucellosis, an infectious bacterial disease that can cause sterility or spontaneous abortion in affected dogs.
The age at which dogs reach sexual maturity depends to a large extent on their breed. Small breeds tend to mature faster than large breeds. On average, however, males become fertile after six months of age and reach full sexual maturity by 12 to 15 months. Healthy stud dogs may remain sexually active and fertile to old age. Adult males are able to mate at any time.
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.
The bitch’s cycle is divided into four periods.
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.
Responsible dog breeders generally do not breed a bitch at the first heat to avoid imposing the stress of pregnancy and lactation on a young, growing animal. It is also customary to avoid breeding a bitch on consecutive heats to allow sufficient time for recuperation between pregnancies.
Most dogs are first bred between the 10th and 14th day after the onset of proestrus. As long as the bitch will accept the male, mating every other day for a total of two or three matings is generally considered sufficient. However, signs of proestrus are not obvious in some bitches. To catch the peak fertile period, a veterinarian may need to perform hormone tests or examine vaginal smears under a microscope.
Bitches are usually less inhibited by new environments so they are usually taken to the stud. Breedings involving young males proceed more smoothly if they are paired with experienced bitches. Sometimes human handlers must step in with assistance or guidance during breedings. Some breeds are more prone to needing assistance than others because of anatomical considerations. Discussing this process with your own breeder will help you be prepared for how you may need to assist.
During breeding, the male mounts the female from the rear and clasps her midsection with his front legs. Rapid pelvic thrusts follow until penetration and ejaculation take place. After the pelvic thrusts cease, the dog and bitch will not separate for 10 to 30 minutes. Known as a tie, this results from a swollen section of the penis called the bulbus glandis. During the tie, the male may move around until he and the bitch are positioned rear to rear. Do not try to separate the dogs during the tie because it can injure either or both animals. After some time, they will part naturally.
Artificial insemination is a relatively simple procedure that can be used when natural breeding is impractical. The AKC accepts registration of a litter mated by artificial insemination using fresh semen, fresh extended semen, and frozen semen, provided the proper procedures are followed. Registration of these litters requires DNA certification. For more information, see the AKC’s rules for registering a litter bred by artificial insemination.
Attend Dog Events
Watch dogs in action and study the pedigrees of the dogs you like. Ask questions of dog breeders involved in your breed. Research your breed by visiting the breed’s national parent club website or social media accounts. Find and attend a local club meeting to meet other breeders and owners.
How We Started As A Dog Breeder – Q&A
If you have ever been, or have considered being, a dog owner, chances are you’ve heard that adopting from a shelter or rescue facility is way better than buying from a breeder. In actuality, though, its not quite as clear-cut as “shelters are good” and “breeders are bad.” There are a lot of factors that should go into the decision of where to get your pet, ranging from the age of the dog you want to the size of your budget. So before immediately writing off breeders, do your homework to find out exactly which option is right for you if youre thinking about bringing home a new furry friend.