A beginners guide to dog breeding
Source: Bukowsky18
There's a common misconception out there that it's very easy to start breeding dogs and make a large amount of money in the process. In reality, there needs to be a significant amount of research before deciding to breed your dog. Proper dog breeding will also require a large investment in terms of time and money. However, if done correctly and responsibly, this can be a great experience for you and your dog. Below are some top tips to keep in mind when considering breeding your dog.
Should you breed your dog?
This is the first thing to consider. Look at their traits and their health; this will largely determine whether you should consider breeding your dog. If they have good traits and have always had good health, there is a strong chance they will have healthy puppies, providing you use a good stud. There is a small risk that your female dog could die during labour. Sometimes breeding dogs can change their temperament. You need to think about provision of care for the puppies. Certain experienced breeders have a number of potential owners ready before they even start the breeding process. However, it's understandable that this is not possible in certain cases.
When is the right time to breed?
A female dog should not be bred before her second or third heat. They will usually come into heat once or twice a year. Make sure that your dog is up to date on all of their immunisations and in good health. When a female dog is in heat they will usually produce a thin discharge of red blood for approximately a week, and the week after that the discharge will turn into a thin yellow strain. It is around this time when you should breed your dog. Remember that different breeds of dogs stay in heat for different amounts of time.
How do you choose a stud dog for breeding?
It is very important to choose a stud dog whose traits complement those of your female dog. Make sure that the stud dog has no undesirable traits or health complications. If the stud dog is smaller than the female dog, or if the stud dog is inexperienced, someone may need to assist the mating process. You may want to look back at past bloodlines and make sure that the stud is also a pedigree if you want pedigree puppies. Using a stud dog can be expensive, but it is better to pay premium prices if the stud dog has great traits and is in very good health.
How long is the gestation period?
It is of paramount importance that you keep your female dog away from other male dogs for a period of approximately sixty days, although this period also varies depending on the particular breed. You should keep a very close eye on your dog after she has mated with the stud dog. Make sure that she is not left alone with a male dog for even a few minutes, as it is possible that she could have some of his puppies as well.
What do you have to do in preparation for the arrival of her puppies?
You will need to purchase a whelping box and get her used to sleeping in it prior to the arrival of the puppies. You may need to provide assistance when the dog is giving birth if she encounters any difficulties. It is recommended you speak to a vet or similar expert in breeding that can help talk you through any assistance you may need to give if there are any complications during the delivery. You will need many clean, warm towels. There will be an afterbirth discharge after the birth of each pup; the mother may want to eat these. Depending on the particular breed of the dog, there can be anything from fifteen minutes to a few hours between each puppy's birth.
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