On what day of heat should a dog be bred: when to start

Owners of purebred, titled dogs are often concerned about further breeding. This is done to improve the physical characteristics of animals and earn additional income. The process seems quite simple from the outside, but if you take a closer look, many nuances will be revealed that an outside observer is not even aware of.

For example, when is a female dog considered ready to breed? Theoretically, she can get pregnant and give birth immediately during her first heat, but will her children be healthy and will she be able to recover after this?

Also very important is the question of the length of a dog’s cycle and the most favorable days for conception, because mating is always stressful , and every owner wants to protect their pets from unnecessary worries.

Preparation

The optimal period for mating is 11-15 days of estrus.
During this period, ovulation occurs, the female is in maximum arousal. Mating is carried out in this state. In winter, the dog is ready for mating on the 9th day of estrus, in warm weather - on the 15th. Sometimes it is not possible to determine which day of heat is the first. It is difficult to calculate the favorable time for mating. In order not to miss the onset of estrus, dog breeders apply a napkin to the genitals. This is how the first day of discharge is detected. Then the days are counted down. Individuals of small breeds have the habit of licking themselves, and it is not possible for them to track down the primary discharge. It is better for the owner to focus on the dog’s behavior. During a walk, the pet will begin to flirt with the dogs and show disobedience. If you stroke the animal on the back, at the base of the tail, the bitch will arch. This means she won’t drive the dog away.

The female's hunting is accompanied by raising or moving her tail to the side. The skin in the croup area shrinks. On the first day of hunting, the bitch will allow mating, but fertilization will not occur. The eggs in the oviducts are not mature. For offspring, the female is mated with the male on the 4th day of hunting.

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The condition of the genital slit is another sign that determines readiness for mating. The vaginal area begins to “loop.” A swollen genital loop indicates that the bitch can be mated with a male.

The female and male are introduced on neutral territory. Mating takes place in the male dog's territory. Before mating, dogs are walked. They don't feed them so they don't get lazy.

If a dog date takes place in an apartment, then cover the floor with protective coverings. Otherwise, you will have to wash away traces of discharge.

It happens that partners are disproportionate to each other. Then they resort to tricks. For example, they place a pillow under the paws. If the female is small in stature, she is placed with her stomach on a bent knee. You cannot bend the female’s paws so that the male can reach the target.

When is human help needed?

The help of a professional will come in handy if your wet-nose has not previously bred, and you yourself are a novice dog breeder. The specialist will also assist when it comes to mating purebred animals, which have strict requirements. A knowledgeable person will calculate favorable days for mating, carefully study the characteristics of both partners and will personally be present at the mating.

Also, invite a specialist or experienced breeder to attend the female's birth to prevent possible complications. The services of such people may seem expensive to you, but it is advisable to play it safe and pay rather than treat your friend later after an unsuccessful meeting or pregnancy with negative consequences.

process

Mating occurs on the territory of the male. Otherwise, the male will be unsure and will not approach the bitch. Mating can also happen on neutral territory, during a walk. Animals should not be disturbed.

Mounting of a male dog is not carried out immediately. The female needs to get acquainted “at a party” and play enough. Then she will allow the boyfriend to move on to active actions.

After ejaculation, a “lock” occurs - bonding. A phenomenon during mating when dogs do not separate for a long time. Gluing can last half an hour. Don’t try to separate the animals, the female and male will sort it out. If the bitch begins to pull out or lie down during the mating process, carefully hold it. Try not to scare the animals. When the “lock pose” does not occur, the dog loses interest in the partner, and the mating is postponed.

Control mating increases the chances of fertilization. It is done in two days.

Diagnosis of the result

You can find out if a dog is pregnant already in the first two weeks after mating, but to do this you need to be observant. Symptoms are behavioral rather than physiological. Your dog is pregnant if:

her appetite has worsened - she will eat for herself and the puppies later, but for now her body is in “hormonal shock” and has no time to eat;
nausea in the morning - this is toxicosis, the body “protects itself” from foreign symbiosis in the womb;
the temperament has changed - the animal suddenly fell into melancholy, behaves distantly and sleeps all the time or, conversely, caresses more than usual and does not leave people;
swollen nipples - in bitches who have given birth, this happens in the first week; in nulliparous ones, the color of the nipple may change, and the skin around it may become somewhat denser.

From the third week, you can reliably establish the fact of pregnancy using a blood test. If the level of the hormone relaxin is elevated, your efforts and efforts were not in vain. The mating of the dogs was successful: in two months you will receive a delivery. Perhaps reviews from experienced dog breeders will help you better prepare for this important period.

Recommendations

The first time to pair a bitch with a male is when she is in her third heat. So that at the time of mating the age is one year and 8 months. This is the right time for the animal to become sexually active. The body at this age is already formed and ready to bear young. The puppy from such a female will be healthy.

Choose an experienced dog as a partner. Males are not bred before 2 years of age. The offspring of a young male will be weak. For pedigree purposes, the breed of the partners must be the same.

The female is not bathed before mating. Otherwise, the smell will be washed off, and the “bride” will not arouse the interest of the “groom”. If your pet needs bathing, wash it 5 days before the date.

During the period of heat, the female dog cannot be trained. The owner transfers the training.

For a healthy litter, the bitch is exempt from training, competitions, security duties, and physical activity. The female puppy should be well-fed and calm.

False heat and other surprises for a beginner

Young bitches have false empty spots.
It is so called because there are all external manifestations, except for the main thing - ovulation. This condition is not dangerous. Sometimes it is interrupted for several days and then resumes, but now with ovulation. There are hidden (dry, white) estrus. The difference is that follicles are formed in the normal manner and eggs are released. There are no external signs - a swollen genital loop, blood secretion. Dry heat is not a deviation; a female dog can still become pregnant and produce a healthy litter.

Prolonged discharge is a cause for concern. If they are observed for longer than 30 days, contact your veterinarian. This is all the more necessary to do if yellowish or greenish inclusions appear in the secretion, decreased appetite, or increased body temperature.

Often, new dog breeders, due to lack of knowledge, cannot distinguish estrus from diseases. The dog is ready to mate 1-2 times a year, and the rest of the time any discharge is an anomaly.

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Signs of heat

How does estrus manifest itself? You can determine when a dog is in heat by its behavior, and it changes significantly. The female becomes more active, becomes overly playful and may ignore commands. This is all the result of a hormonal surge. Among the main signs of estrus are:

The dog begins to sit down to urinate more often (it marks its territory so that potential suitors are aware that it is ready to accept advances);
Bloody discharge oozes from the noose;
She often licks the area under her tail;
The bitch begins to flirt with the males, they show active interest;
Estrus is preceded by molting.

At first, dogs do not allow members of the opposite sex to approach; they may even show aggression when courtship is too intrusive; their body is not yet ready for mating.

After one and a half to 2 weeks, the structure of the dog’s discharge changes; it will look like yellowish mucus. During this period, the female feels a strong sexual desire, especially if she notices males nearby, her tail moves to the side, and her body takes the stance necessary for sexual intercourse. The loop increases significantly in size.

The bitch can remain in this excited state for 5 to 7 days. If the owner wants to breed a dog, then he must mark these days. The right time for mating animals is between the 9th and 17th days, less often on the 21st. Everything is individual and depends on the breed of the pet.

Step-by-step passage of heat

The entire animal cycle is divided into 4 stages:

Proestrus (or called proestrus). Duration 1-1.5 weeks. At this time, the process of blood circulation in the genital area increases significantly, the loop swells, and the first, initially scanty, bloody discharge appears. During this period, the dog is not yet ready for mating; ovulation has not yet occurred. But external signs are already evident - she becomes playful, may not obey the owner, and run away. When walking, he spends more time sniffing out the surroundings and constantly crouches down to leave marks. Males are already experiencing increased interest; when trying to copulate, the bitch growls and snarls.
Estrus (active sexual hunting). During this period of time, more precisely the first 2 days, the process of ovulation occurs. But the bitch can keep the gentlemen away for a few more days. A little later, when she sees a potential suitor, the female raises the back of her body, tightens the noose and moves her tail to the side to facilitate the penetration process. She freezes and patiently waits for action from the male dog. The discharge from the loop will vary; normally, the appropriate period for mating occurs when it is light pink or disappears completely. The vulva swells significantly.
Metaestrus (the final stage of estrus). The duration of this period is several days. The discharge stops, the noose returns to its previous size, and the bitch again does not allow gentlemen to approach her. If fertilization does not occur, then the female again becomes calm. The dog still experiences hormonal changes - the level of progesterone increases, which is not without reason called the pregnancy hormone. This happens regardless of whether the female becomes pregnant or not. This condition becomes the cause of such a phenomenon as false pregnancy, which mostly passes without outside help and consequences.
Anestrus (phase of sexual tranquility). The duration of this stage is approximately 100-150 days and allows the animal’s body to recover before the next heat.

The frequency of estrus varies among dogs due to several associated factors. For example, in domestic dogs it happens 2 times a year - in autumn and at the end of winter. Sometimes flow is limited to once a year.

Dogs that are kept outdoors, pets from the north, breed once a year in early spring to give birth to puppies in the warmer months.

How to avoid mating

This question is most often asked by owners of dogs who do not plan to breed. But it is not alien to people who keep breeding dogs, because an unplanned mating will be an unpleasant surprise.

The main condition is to keep an eye on the dog while walking, do not let it off the leash and do not allow strangers to get too close.

You can purchase a special product at veterinary pharmacies or pet stores that eliminates the odor that attracts male dogs. It is used to treat the back of the pet’s body before each walk.

At what age do dogs begin to mate?

Dog owners don't always know what time it costs to take them. An animal must be bred only after it reaches physiological maturity. In this regard, it is worth distinguishing between sexual and physiological maturity.

Help with mating

For your information! A dog can become pregnant at the age of six months to a year; the first heat occurs at the same time. Depending on many factors, these dates may shift, especially for large dogs.

The owner of the animal may not notice the first heat at all, but it is necessary to monitor your pet. You need to be vigilant and prevent her from mating with any male dog. It is worth recording in the calendar the time when this period began for the dog and subsequently monitoring the peaks of sexual activity.

Animals can mate without the knowledge of their owners, but this should not be allowed. A dog should be bred no earlier than it reaches 3 years of age. By this time, it will be formed physically, and therefore the birth is more likely to be successful.

Important! You should not delay the first fertilization until after 5 years of age, as late births can have a negative impact on the dog's health. It is more likely that you will have to have a caesarean section.

First heat

Care features

On the eve of the first estrus, the female may experience discharge from the loop, juvenile vaginitis containing a small amount of pus. There is no need to worry, this phenomenon is normal. Everything will return to normal as soon as the heat passes. If this does not happen, then it is worth undergoing an examination to identify various pathologies.

To make the estrus period more hygienic (especially for estrus in dogs kept in an apartment), you can purchase elastic panties for one-time use. They will prevent your dog from leaving bloody spots around the house. But still, you should not wear them all the time; veterinarians advise allowing the female to remove the discharge on her own by licking it.

During the first heat, the dog may not understand how to behave, so it is worth teaching it to remove spots. And to do this you need to remove carpets and rugs from the floor.

During the period of heat, the dog requires care:

You should avoid long walks in winter to prevent your pet from catching a cold;
There is no need to take her out to places where other dogs gather;
Walks are strictly on a leash.

If suddenly it was not possible to prevent an unwanted mating, then it is forbidden to give the dog drugs to help terminate the pregnancy. This will cause significant health problems for the pet, which lead to infertility in the dog.

An important factor is keeping the dog during heat. If you do not plan to breed a dog and get puppies from her, at the first sign of estrus you need to start taking precautions:

Keep a close eye on your dog while walking and avoid all contact with dogs of the opposite sex.
Walk your dog on a short leash: even the most well-mannered and docile pet can run away during heat, not paying attention to any commands.
Do not allow your dog to mate - it is impossible to separate the animals during intercourse.
Do not take your dog while in heat to competitions or shows. This will cause anxiety among the male dogs present at the show. During heat, a dog does not respond well to commands and can be disobedient.

No heat

With good general health and the state of the reproductive and hormonal systems, the first estrus occurs at the established normal times and then repeats with a certain cyclical regularity. If the dog is older than 18 months, and the first heat has not come, you should consult a veterinarian to find out the reason for this delay.

Reasons for delay/absence of first heat:

Poor living conditions, improper or insufficient feeding;
Violation of hormonal regulation of the reproductive system;
Congenital disorders in the development and structure of the genital organs;
Ovarian dysfunction (hypofunction, lack of appropriate hormones during the appropriate period);
Dysfunction of the pituitary gland and/or thyroid gland;
Tumors and/or other neoplasms, cysts of the pelvic organs or on the ovaries;
Endocrine pathologies;
Chronic inflammatory processes in the uterus;
Hermaphroditism (for example, when underdeveloped testes are found instead of ovaries).

Age restrictions

Physiological maturity (the ability to reproduce) occurs before growth and development are completed. In addition, small dogs “mature” earlier than large ones. Taking these features into account, age restrictions for mating have been introduced:

Toys and small ones: females - from 15 months, males - from 12 months.
Medium: females - from 18 months, males - from 15 months.
Large: females - from 20 months; males - from 18 months.
Giant: females and males - from 22 months.

Veterinarians do not recommend untethering a dog older than 4 years.

The mating process depends on the nature and individual characteristics of the dogs.

How to avoid the difficulties of estrus

To cope with the symptoms of estrus in dogs, breeders and dog owners advise using drugs to regulate sexual heat.

Drugs from the CounterSex Neo brand are hormonal drugs for regulating sexual desire and preventing unwanted pregnancy in case of accidental mating.

Many breeders and dog owners use CounterSex Neo for the following reasons:

High efficiency. With the help of CounterSex Neo drugs, it is possible to effectively correct a dog’s behavior, solve problems of aggression, marks in dogs during heat; prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Safety. CounterSex Neo is a new generation bihormonal drug. The drug is safe due to the minimal content of 2 modern active ingredients.
Convenience. The drug CounterSex Neo is available in the form of drops and tablets. Each owner can choose the most comfortable form of the drug for his dog, in which it will be convenient for him to give the drug to the animal.

Useful video

Watch this video about the features of mating large breeds of dogs: