Expert and detailed information about estrus, mating, pregnancy and childbirth in toy terriers

Many toy terrier owners are thinking about getting offspring. When deciding to breed your favorite pet, you need to take into account its anatomical features. Due to their miniature size, not all toy terriers are able to give birth to offspring.

We will tell you further how pregnancy progresses in a healthy dog and what you need to know so that toy terrier puppies are born healthy.

Stages of puberty of the toy terrier

Experts consider four phases:

Primary or proestrus - recorded when discharge appears from the vulva. Lasts 10 days, characterized by dark bloody secretion and swelling of the loop. The stage is associated with the constant attempts of girls to attract the attention of boys with the help of urine containing specific pheromones. The animal actively marks its territory, leaving drops or puddles. In this phase, the dog is not ready for mating.
The second or estrus - the active attraction of males intensifies; when accidentally touching the rear part of the body, the pet raises the pelvis and moves the tail to the side. During this period, mating is carried out.
The third or metestrus - the process of restoration of the uterus occurs. The phase lasts up to 3 months, its duration depends on the animal’s body. Bitches begin to drive away males.
The fourth or anestrus - lasts up to 5 months, there are no special signs of maturation.

Toy Terrier

How long does a toy terrier's estrus last: the standard duration is 21 days.

How to find out the optimal time for mating toys?

A sign for mating is the female terrier's estrus, which is, in fact, a dog's period. This period occurs no more than 2 times a year with a six-month interval.

Estrus in a toy terrier leads to intraphysiological changes in the animal’s body: enlargement of the female toy’s genitals, increased urination and bleeding.

Behavioral changes in female toys often occur, when sudden, causeless mood swings are obvious. There is both absolute apathy and excessive, uncharacteristic excitement for females. During such periods, females sometimes behave completely inappropriately, trying, for example, to mount another animal.

Dog estrus takes, on average, 21 days, having several stages:

from days 1 to 9 – the stage of proestrus, when the first discharge is detected, which causes the males to show interest. However, the little dog does not yet allow “suitors” within himself. At the same time, she herself shows a strange interest in other toy girls.

From 10 to 16 days - the estrus stage, when the blood color of the discharge changes to a transparent, mucous consistency. During this period, females are ready for attention and do not resist males, allowing mounting. The estrus stage is optimal for Toy mating.

From days 17 to 20, the metaestrus stage occurs. The female loses her “former passion” and avoids males. The chances of fertilization decrease sharply.

We will tell you further how pregnancy progresses in a healthy dog and what you need to know so that toy terrier puppies are born healthy.

Features and time of the first estrus

Yorkies in heat, mating and childbirth at home

Primary regula in small dogs occurs after the completion of the replacement of baby teeth in a period of up to 12 months. During this period, matings are not carried out - the body is just beginning to prepare for future pregnancy and childbirth. The pet becomes sexually mature only after the end of the third ovulation.

Important! Premature mating can cause serious injury to the reproductive organs.

Physiological changes

Organizational procedures

When owning a purebred dog, highly rated by experts, the owner must be extremely careful, carefully and thoughtfully choose a partner for mating. The planned puppies will be valuable, healthy and with a good genetic basis if both toy parents have the appropriate qualities.

Don’t skip the literature, especially when you’re trying to organize the mating of Toy Terrier dogs for the first time. Read about the genetics, anatomy, psychology and psychosomatics of dogs. You also need to have information for the future: for that terrier, pregnancy and childbirth are the next significant step after mating.

It may be useful to consult with the dog breeder from whom you bought your pet. However, any competent and knowledgeable dog owner will do.

It is advisable to support the decision to breed a mini-sized toy terrier and breed puppies by selecting an experienced veterinarian. He will diagnose a pregnant dog in the future.

Rules of care

Dog handlers recommend caring for your dog according to generally accepted requirements. Breaking the rules could have a negative impact on her health.

Is it possible to bathe a dog during heat?

Mating of Spitz: when the heat begins, childbirth at home

Changes in hormonal balance lead to the appearance of a strong and unpleasant odor and heavy discharge. The animal empties its bladder more often, and its condition requires frequent hygiene procedures.

Washing a Toy Terrier when in heat is mandatory, but should be done taking into account the nuances. During this period, the immune system works unstable and pathogenic microflora can get into a loosely closed loop. Its penetration is fraught with inflammatory processes.

When washing, the following rules are observed:

Hygiene procedures are carried out twice a day, in the morning and evening, after walking.
Water is taken at a temperature slightly above room temperature.
Use gentle detergents.
After bathing, the animal is carefully dried with a soft towel.

Important! Under regulations, it is prohibited to bathe your pet in river or sea water or in ponds. Open water contains many pathogenic bacteria, the penetration of which into the body will provoke diseases. One of the consequences of such bathing is considered to be hypothermia followed by a cold.

Estrus leads to increased bladder emptying. In any case, you should expect marks throughout the house. To solve the problem, experienced owners use special dog diapers. They will help avoid stains on furniture and carpets, and prevent the dog from constantly licking.

Hygiene procedures

How to keep a bitch and a dog in the same room when the bitch is in heat

Keeping two animals of different sexes under regulation is a difficult task, causing a lot of trouble. For females, it is necessary to purchase a sufficient amount of underwear that can be secured to the body and prevent unscheduled mating.

Additional use of repellent sprays will increase the success of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Doctors advise using special veterinary drugs that have a sedative spectrum of action. They help animals calmly endure a difficult period for them, but are not absolutely safe for health. The choice is up to the dog owner.

Important! Dog handlers recommend not complicating your life and separating animals during the estrus phase. It is enough to place them in different rooms, which will minimize the risk of unplanned intercourse.

Giving birth to a Yorkshire Terrier at home

You cannot leave a bitch in labor alone, especially if she becomes a mother for the first time and experiences instinctive fear. The person present should not worry or panic: the emotions will be transferred to the dog. If you have doubts about your skills and abilities, it is better to call a veterinary specialist, or take the animal to the clinic in advance.

A Yorkshire Terrier's labor can last 3-12 hours. If the female has narrow pelvic bones, weighs less than 2 kg, and the cubs move forward with their paws, then surgery is prescribed.

When the puppy emerges from the birth canal, the umbilical cord is clamped with a thread, 1 cm away from the surface of the body. Cut with sterilized scissors, lubricate the wound with brilliant green

Having carefully ruptured the amniotic sac, remove the mucous covering from the coat and free the respiratory passages. The suckling is placed next to the mother and moved towards the belly

They act calmly, unhurriedly: the duration of relaxation between contractions is about half an hour, there is enough time.

The new mother licks the newborn and, if desired, eats the afterbirth. It contains substances that stimulate uterine contractility. Eating 2-3 afterbirth is enough; more is harmful to digestion.

In the intervals between the appearance of puppies, the pet is given water and forced to walk to stimulate labor. After the birth of the last puppy, they put down a clean bedding, wipe off the bitch’s soiled fur in the genital area, and leave the dog family alone.

What to do in case of complications

Common complications are fetus getting stuck in the vagina, lack of breathing in the newborn. In the first situation, you need to lightly clasp your fingers and pull the stuck baby; in the second, you need to give the stillborn a chest massage with the utmost care.

In case of serious exacerbations, the owner's initiative is excluded and veterinary assistance is required.

Calling a veterinarian is inevitable when:

opened bleeding;
rupture of the uterine wall;
cessation of contractions;
absence of labor 2 hours after the expulsion of amniotic fluid;
painful gestosis, complicated by convulsions;
inflammatory reaction;
damage to intracavitary organs.

How does a dog's behavior change during heat?

Husky pregnancy: how long does it last, childbirth in dogs

Experienced breeders advise paying attention to the following changes:

If an affectionate and calm pet begins to show aggression towards its own sex and more often than usual pays attention to representatives of the opposite sex, then we should expect the imminent arrival of the regula.
Active and playful behavior attracts the attention of males, who begin to hover around the baby, at the same time expressing dissatisfaction with conditional rivals: growling and attempts to fight.
Habitual hygiene procedures, including washing paws after walks or trimming nails, cause unusual aggression or irritation.
The dog's constant fatigue and refusal of favorite games indicate processes occurring in the reproductive system.

During this period, the dog needs to be kept on a leash - it may stop listening to commands and run off with any “handsome guy” it meets.

Attracting the attention of gentlemen

External changes in a dog during pregnancy: general information

Thus, there are no special differences between pets of different breeds. Much more important are the external changes in the dog, which have little to do with the breed.

Abdominal volume

As we have repeatedly mentioned above, the abdominal volume of a pregnant pet will not begin to increase immediately. In dogs of small breeds, “rounding” can be noticed somewhere towards the end of the first half of pregnancy, and in dogs of large varieties, even shortly before giving birth, there are sometimes no clearly visible signs of the imminent appearance of puppies.

In addition, a lot depends on the number of puppies and the number of births the dog has. For example, in a primiparous bitch with a couple of puppies on her belly, pregnancy may not be suspected at all, while in a mature and multiple-fetal dog it is easy to guess about it by the end of the first half of pregnancy. In such pets, the tone of the abdominal muscles is already weakened, and therefore during pregnancy the stomach sags and swells greatly. In general, dogs that manage to conceive in old age sometimes literally scrape their bellies on the ground. Such pets require special care. In particular, it is necessary to completely remove everything unnecessary from the room where the dog is kept, protecting the animal from injury.

Mammary gland

When determining pregnancy, special attention should be paid to the condition of the mammary glands. Approximately in the second half, due to the release of large quantities of hormones into the blood and the restructuring of the dog’s body, these organs undergo significant changes

Possible deviations

Some individuals have their own physiological characteristics that cause problems with accurately determining readiness for mating.

The list of deviations includes:

pale, colorless secretion;
no bleeding;
a rigid loop that does not change its size throughout the entire estrus;
aggressive behavior of the bitch towards the males even during the mating period.

Important! Mating of Toy Terriers causes constant problems among breeders of miniature breeds.

Owners need to carefully study the individual characteristics of the animal’s body and promptly seek advice from a veterinarian.

Choice of male

At what age you can start mating, any dog breeder must know. It is wiser to breed female Russian Toy Terriers during their third heat period, about 2 years old. The “groom” is also subject to certain requirements. He should be approximately the same weight, build and size as his chosen one. When choosing a mate for a female, you need to carefully consider the exterior. The primary purpose of breeding is not only the commercial component, but also the maximum improvement of a particular breed.

If the owner has competently approached the problem of choosing a groom, then those small shortcomings that the bitch has can be compensated for, significantly reduced and their further transmission along the hereditary line of the family prevented. The minimum that needs to be done when choosing a male dog is to check that he has a breeding assessment in the RKF. Otherwise, the puppies will not have the documents required for their successful sale in the future. An advertisement on the Internet will help you choose a male for your pet.

Mating or sterilization

If pregnancy of a toy terrier is not included in your immediate plans, then the problem can be solved in two ways:

Special medications - the method is considered humane, it does not cause infertility and if you stop taking it, the dog can bear puppies.
Sterilization - abdominal surgery is not always easily tolerated by the pet due to its complexity. After the operation, complications may develop, and disturbed hormonal balance can cause rapid weight gain and mental inadequacy of the animal (cowardice, aggressiveness, etc.).

Mating a toy terrier and subsequent bearing of puppies places great responsibility on the owner. You will have to take intensive care of the dog, periodically visit the veterinarian and spend money on special food and multivitamin complexes.

Important! The choice between mating and sterilization remains with the animal owner.

Numerous rave reviews about the humanity and safety of the latest procedure have nothing to do with reality. Any surgical intervention affects health and does not remain without consequences.

What to do if there is no heat?

The frequency of estrus may be disrupted not only by increasing frequency, but also by its absence at the expected time. The reasons may be:

borderline age: too young (up to 6 months), old (more than 7 years);
recent stressful situation;
being in a state of nervous shock;
physical exhaustion;
obesity;
strong physical activity;
hormonal therapy;
undergone surgery.

As a rule, all such conditions are under the supervision of a doctor, the animal takes medications and the owner is warned about the possible absence of estrus. If this comes as a surprise, you should contact the clinic, as the cause may be serious illnesses:

hypothyroidism is a hereditary disease in many breeds. The disease is characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. The cause of cycle disruption can be any pathology of the thyroid gland. If adjustments or treatment are not started, the dog may become infertile;
Ovarian hypoplasia is incomplete sexual development of an animal. Causes of the disease: hereditary or acquired. Hereditary developmental pathologies cannot be corrected, but acquired ones can be corrected - changes in estrogen levels;
avitaminosis. Lack of vitamins and microelements is the reason for cycle disruption. In this state, nature does not allow the dog to become pregnant or bear puppies;
tumors. Any neoplasm of the ovaries will affect the regularity of the cycle. This does not depend on the benignity or malignancy of the tumor. Any neoplasm grows, drawing blood flow onto itself - the intensity of the ovaries decreases;
severe vaginitis. Swelling of the external genitalia is very noticeable even outside the cycle, and pus is found in the urine.

This is not the entire list of diseases that can disrupt the regularity of a dog’s cycle. If the cause is not known for certain, it is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations, take tests and begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Preparing the bitch for breeding

Primary mating requires preliminary planning - all actions must be deliberate, and the owner of the animal is fully prepared for all contingencies. Experienced breeders keep special diaries in which they describe in detail their health status, physical capabilities and preparatory activities.

All heats, regardless of plans, are recorded in as much detail as possible:

shade of discharge;
general condition of the loop;
reaction to members of the opposite sex;
changes in standard behavior.

Before mating, the pet must undergo all bacteriological tests: for staphylococcal, streptococcal and other infections. They are carried out one and a half months before the expected date. This approach will allow us to identify all hidden diseases, cure them in a timely manner and protect future offspring from direct transmission of pathogenic microflora.

Important! Veterinarians recommend resorting to natural mating, which gives more positive emotions and does not cause aggressive behavior.

How long do pregnant Spitz walk?

In the first twenty days, it is almost impossible to understand that a Spitz is pregnant. After this period, the bitch may develop toxicosis, which lasts for about 10 days. Five weeks after mating, external signs begin to appear - the tummy grows, the nipples acquire a more saturated color. At the eighth week of pregnancy, the future offspring will be noticeably moving in the stomach.

About a week before giving birth, the pet’s character may change – she becomes more nervous, her mood changes constantly, and there are sharp temperature rises. The dog is looking for a suitable place, preparing it for future births.

How long a Spitz's pregnancy lasts is of interest to many owners. The animal carries the fetus for approximately 63 days.

In most cases, childbirth occurs without problems

Knitting features

Veterinarians advise initial breeding of animals between the ages of 1.5 and 2.5 years. For pets, the process is stressful and the owner’s task is to create the most comfortable conditions possible. A veterinarian, a professional breeder or an instructor from a breeding club is usually invited to the initial mating.

When carrying out preparatory activities, the following factors must be taken into account:

Appearance of pets - attempts to decorate them with fashionable clothes or accessories often leads to scaring away a potential partner. What is pleasant to the human eye may not be perceived by relatives.
Room - the room should not contain distracting objects, strong aromas or music. Any of these factors will cause mating problems.
Behavioral reactions - attempts to speed up events, influence the dogs, can lead to the exact opposite result. Animals must get used to each other - they need some period of acquaintance.

Important! Shouting, demandingness and attempts to force the pets together will lead to fear and attempts to escape.

Acquaintance

Mating should be carried out in the territory familiar to the male, and not vice versa. When mating there is a factor of severe stress, which can be aggravated when transporting the male to someone else's house.

How is pregnancy progressing?

The duration of pregnancy for a Pomeranian is 2 months (8 weeks or 60-63 days).

It is advisable to keep a diary of the course of pregnancy, and it is recommended to start it from the day the estrus begins, during which it was decided to breed.

Changes that occur in a dog’s body during pregnancy:

At 1-2 weeks, the dog’s behavior and condition remain normal. Fertilization of the egg and its movement to the uterus continues throughout this time.
At week 3, the placenta forms. At this time, you can take your dog for an ultrasound to diagnose pregnancy. The size of one fetus at 3 weeks is no more than 4.5 mm. The Spitz's mammary glands begin to swell, and the dog may become nervous when biting and scratching them.
From the 4th week, the active growth of the uterus begins, it can already reach the ribs. For this reason, the dog's belly begins to droop. The babies inside also undergo changes, they grow up to 1.5 cm, and their jaws and skull begin to calcify. At the beginning of the 4th week, the girl suffers from toxicosis and loses her appetite.
At week 5, puppies develop a bone skeleton and grow noticeably. The Spitz girl becomes even less active, she sleeps more, and her appetite is unstable. Clear discharge appears from the genitals.
At week 6, babies have all their organs and eyes formed, and they are getting bigger. The girl's uterus takes up more and more space, leaving less space for the stomach. The expectant mother eats often, but in small portions, so food with a maximum calorie content is recommended.
From 7 weeks, puppies are already covered with fur. The Spitz mother becomes anxious and begins to look for a place to give birth.
At 8 weeks, the puppies are ready for birth, they are fully formed. At this time, the expectant mother noticeably increases in weight, she is even more anxious, and may refuse to eat.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Inexperienced owners before the initial mating are interested in the question of how long a pregnant toy terrier dog walks. Standard gestation takes 63 days.

The course of pregnancy in a healthy dog

Pregnancy in miniature dogs is a difficult period both for the animal itself and for its owner. The birth of a toy terrier often occurs with complications, so breeders have to monitor the health of the four-legged dog throughout the gestation period.

The initial 3 weeks of pregnancy are characterized by the following symptoms:

a complete change in behavioral reactions: the animal becomes overly aggressive or lethargic, it needs more hours to sleep;
increased or decreased appetite;
the mammary glands begin to swell and the nipples begin to darken;
the belly is growing gradually.

After 30 days, puppies can be palpated through the anterior abdominal wall. The procedure is carried out with the utmost care, avoiding accidental injury to the babies. How many toy terriers bear puppies: on the 40th day, the number of fetuses is determined using ultrasound. Pregnancy of a toy terrier from mating by day ranges from 60 to 64 days.

Pregnancy

How to deliver a baby

Giving birth to a toy terrier in the comfort of your own home requires preliminary preparation. The dog must get used to a certain place in advance so that it does not start looking for another one already in the process.

The list of necessary things for obstetrics is presented:

a sterile towel or diaper;
threads - for tying the umbilical cord;
scissors;
oilcloth;
warm water;
antiseptic.

How toy terriers give birth

In most cases, the process goes without complications, but it is better to keep the veterinarian’s number available step by step. The approach of childbirth can be understood by changes in the behavior of a pregnant toy terrier:

unreasonable anxiety;
refusal to eat;
searching for a comfortable position or place.

How many puppies are usually born to a toy terrier: from 2 to 3, in rare cases – 4-5 individuals. The babies come out alternately, every 20-50 minutes. After they appear, mucus is removed from the mouth and nose and applied to the mother's nipples. The general period of birth is from 3 to 24 hours.

In order not to wonder how long toy terriers stay pregnant and how to help them give birth, you need to get advice from a veterinarian or breeder in advance. Proper mating and monitoring of gestation will help you get several healthy and beautiful babies.

Feeding a pregnant bitch

While pregnant, your dog's appetite may change.
Some animals become selective eaters, while others, on the contrary, begin to consume more food. Pregnancy in a toy terrier lasts up to 72 days. During this time, the dog's food preferences may change several times. If the animal is accustomed to dry diets, then it needs to be switched to puppy food. In addition to ready-made food, there is no need to buy vitamins, because it already contains everything necessary for the normal development of pregnancy. Puppy food contains more protein, which is very beneficial for the expectant mother.

If the dog eats natural food, then you will definitely have to buy vitamins. The bitch should start receiving a high-quality mineral complex from the first day of pregnancy. If this is not done, the puppies may be born weak and underdeveloped. You can feed the dog only fresh ingredients; it is forbidden to give the pregnant bitch leftovers from the owner’s table.

Caring for a dog during the postpartum period

It is important to ensure that the number of placenta is equal to the number of terriers born. If there are fewer of them, this indicates that one or more remain inside the uterus. In this case, call the veterinarian for cleaning.

In this case, call the veterinarian for cleaning.

While the birth is taking place, the dog should not be fed, as this may cause vomiting. The process sometimes drags on for up to 2 days, and the Yorkie’s body is severely depleted. As soon as the last puppy is born and the terrier has licked it, offer water with added glucose.

Give warm milk about an hour after birth. The terrier cannot be fed for 7 hours after birth, only water and milk.

You need to place a tray next to the new mother, into which she will go when needed. If your Yorkie is used to using the toilet outside, you need to carry it out in your arms. After giving birth, the terrier is weakened, do not walk with it for a long time, bring the dog home as soon as it has stopped doing its business in the bushes.

Basic care during the postpartum period:

Every day you need to change the diaper on the dog's bedding, and wipe the oilcloth underneath with a damp cloth.
Do not give the terrier meat for a week; you can compensate for the proteins with fish, cottage cheese, fermented milk products and eggs.
If dark-colored discharge appears, you need to call a veterinarian; this may indicate the presence of an afterbirth or an unborn dead puppy in the uterus.
Within 2 weeks after birth, you need to measure your Yorkie's rectal temperature 2-3 times a day; an increase indicates complications.
They go for short walks with the terrier and do not allow them to become hypothermic. If it's cold outside, it's better to let your Yorkie go to the toilet in the litter box at home. A month after giving birth, the terrier is returned to his previously accustomed walking schedule. From this time on, you can feed the dog its usual food (the one it had before birth).