Dog Breeding or Dog Reproduction Information

Breeding a dog can be a very joyful experience. It is very important to remember that dog breeding involves a lot of dedication, patience and responsibility coupled with a great deal of knowledge about dog reproduction and the dog reproduction cycle. You also need to bear in mind that dog breeding is an expensive task. Like skilled dog breeders, a dog breeding beginner should have thorough knowledge about his or her chosen breed. Most breeders are very loyal to their dogs and their dog’s welfare is their primary concern. However too often, people are willing to sacrifice the health and welfare of their bitch for the sake of making a profit. Professional breeders allow dogs to mate for a specific purpose which may be to create pups for sale or at times to carry on a purebred line. Such breeders have access to records which show a dog’s lineage and they are also aware of the difficulties involved in the dog reproduction process of the breed that they handle. It is important to understand the dog reproduction cycle before proceeding with dog breeding. Female dogs come into heat twice a year every six months and this period lasts for about 2 to 3 weeks. Most dogs come into heat for the first time between 6 to 12 months and can be fertilized since this time. In some larger breeds however it is as late as 2 years. A bitch should ideally be bred every other year. Dog breeders have various methods to determine the most fertile period of a bitch. They rely on visible signs of being in heat like vaginal bleeding, swelling of the vulva and the response of the bitch to a male dog. Most breeders also go in for modern testing methods like Vaginal Smear, Blood Progesterone etc. If a female dog is allowed to roam freely while in heat, she can end up producing pups from multiple fathers. Some dog breeders do occasionally allow this for various reasons and then determine parentage through DNA testing. Dogs bear their litters usually 9 weeks after fertilization and the gestation period can vary from 56 to 72 days. An average litter will consists of six puppies though this number may vary from breed to breed. A dog breeder will need to assist the mother in the feeding and care of the pups if the litter exceeds eight pups. If you are a dog breeding beginner these are some points that you will need to bear in mind. Ask yourself if your dog is of breeding quality. Even if your dog is a wonderful pet it may have some defect either in its structure, temperament or health that should not be passed on. Dog breeding should only be done with the intention of creating pups better than their parents in all aspects. It is wrong to breed a female dog before she is two years old. Physical ability to bear pups is not enough to breed your dog. Your dog needs to be completely mature, both physically and mentally. Your vet has a better chance of recognizing any serious behavioral or medical problems in your dog at that age. Before dog breeding, get your dog and its intended mate thoroughly examined by a vet for venereal diseases, hip and eye problems. All vaccinations should be brought up-to-date and your dog should also be de-wormed if necessary. Health checks, vaccinations, extra facilities that need to be provided, fees for getting a mate, advertising etc are very costly. Add to this an emergency like an unexpected caesarean or intensive care for a pup and the costs will spiral. Before breeding a dog, make sure you have responsible homes and buyers for the pups. Most shelters are filled with abandoned dogs. A good dog breeder is very careful about the homes the pups will end up in. When you have thoroughly researched and understood the amount of work, time and expense involved in breeding a dog, you will realize that this is a decision that cannot be taken lightly or on the spur of a moment. That said, dog breeding can be fun and an educative experience but if you want to breed your dog you need to learn how to do it right. Even though you are a dog breeding beginner today you can soon become a professional by careful observance and correct implementation of good techniques in breeding a dog.