| 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.
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