When thinking of breeding our dogs, and wanting a healthy successful pregnancy, it tends to require more knowledge and reassurance. In this guide, you'll learn what to be aware of when and before breeding your dog.
Before breeding, you should have your dog examined by a veterinarian to ensure she's healthy enough. At that time, she can be vaccinated and treated for parasites, if needed.
Both male and female canines should additionally be tested for brucellosis, which is an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria and can cause sterility or miscarriage.
They should also be tested to make sure they are old enough to successfully breed. The prime-age depends on the breed, as smaller breeds mature faster than the larger dogs.
However, on average, the males will become fertile around six months of age and become fully mature around 15 months. After this age, a healthy adult male dog will be able to breed at any time of the year.
Females, on the other hand, have their first heat cycle –called their “first estrus”, around six months of age, though it can happen as late as 18 months.
A dog’s heat cycle happens regularly every six months or so until very late in life. Whenever she is in heat, she will accept a male as a breeding partner.
However, she should not be breed during her first heat cycle as it can add the stress of, both, pregnancy and lactation on a still-growing dog. She will bean overall better mother if you wait for a cycle or two.
During this period, a female dog will have a bloody discharge and her vulva will be quite swollen. It will last for about nine days.
While she will still attract a male dog, she won’t allow him near her.
At this time, your female dog will be at her most fertile.
She will accept the male dog at this point. It also lasts approximately nine days. Ovulation will take place about 48 hours after Estrus begins, though this time frame can vary.
This period is the longest part of a female dog’s cycle. It lasts between 60 and 90 days. During this time, her reproductive parts will be controlled by hormones and will happen no matter if she is pregnant or not.
This is why false pregnancies are possible and can occur during this time.
This is now the final sector cycle.
At this point in the cycle, there will be no sexual activity. This period will last anywhere from three to four months.
You should be aware that all dogs –especially purebreds –can fall victim to hereditary defects.
Some of these defects have the potential to cripple the pups, or lead to death in the womb or shortly after birth.
For this reason, it's essential that you get a guarantee of health from the owner of the stud ahead of time. You have every right to demand this.