Angela Hughey

2339 Whitestone Road N.

Talking Rock, Ga. 30175

706-253-5806

Breeding Dogs:

     Many people ask me about the breeding of dogs. Dog breeding is not for everyone. It is a very difficult task even when everything goes well. With all that said, let's look at the process.

     If a female is ready to be bred, a male will generally breed. If he doesn't show interest, then probably the female isn't ready. There are ways to encourage a male but the female will not take if it's not the right time.

     A female's cycle is the determining factor of the breeding ritual. She is generally in heat for 21 days. During that time, she will bleed for about 9 days. Once the blood flow stops, she is usually ready to breed. Generally, she will be ready on day 11 to 14. Some females are ready on day 21. ...And of course, there are all the days in-between.

     Notice I keep using the words usually, generally, and probably. Most breeding is guesswork. If you make a good educated guess, then probably you will get a breeding!

     Taking in all this information, try the following:

1. Call the owner of the sire about 3 to 6 months prior to breeding. This way you will have time to change your mind.

2. What are the requirements of the male's owner?

     a. Do you need to visit your vet?

          i. Hip exray

          ii. Brucellosis test

          iii. Female wormed with recent shots within the past 6 months.

3. How are you going to pay for the stud service?

     a. Money. The dam's owner pays money and keeps all the pups. Sometimes the sire's owner    takes second pick with money if the dam's owner really wants to keep a particular pup.

     b. Pick pup. This means that the owner of the sire gets to make th first choice. Yes, the sire's owner takes home the pick pup. This choice is generally made when the pups are 6-8 weeks old.

4. My female is in heat! What do I do?

     a. Mark day one of the bleeding on your calendar.

     b. Circle days 11-14 as the days to breed.

     c. Call the owner of the sire to arrange a day to breed.

          i. Usually, you will breed 1 to 3 times.

          ii. Start on day 10 to 11.

          iii. You can breed every other day for 3 breedings or until the female no longer accepts the male.

     d. The female must be secured in the house, crate, or kennel with no chance of getting loose. If she gets loose and you don't have her within 10 minutes, then assume that she probably bred. It doesn't take but a short time for the male and female to make a tie.

     e. The female must be secured for the full 21 days. Some females will experience a split cycle or silent heat. You will not know. Only the other dogs will be able to tell!

     f. Mark the calendar with the days bred.

     g. Count 63 days from the first day bred and mark your calendar.

     h. The 63rd day is the "due date". Usually, the pups will be born close to the first day of breeding but can occur on the last day.

Whelping Your Litter:

     Having a litter of pups can bring much excitement! If all goes well, it can actually be fun. But even in the best of times, it is work. Expect to have your time consumed with the care of the pups and mom.

     I always whelp my litters inside the house. I keep my dam and pups within sight so that I can make sure that the pups are close to the dam and not pushed off.

     With all that said, let's consider the birthing process. Most litters are born with few problems but you should always be prepared. You should alert your vet as to the date that the pups are due and discuss what to do incase of an emergency.

Generally, the following takes place:

1. Count the days from breeding. Usually we say that the pups will whelp on day 63. Of course, it can take place before and after the designated date. However, mine are generally earlier rather than later. It is rare that a female will whelp before her 56th day.

2. Where do you want your female to deliver? I like to use a small child's plastic swimming  pool (5 feet across). It is easy to clean and will hold the pups for about 4 weeks. Place the pool clse to where the family is so that the female will become use to using it. Spread newspapers in the pool to absorb the fluid during the birthing process. I also like to use a 2 foot high exercise pen to encircle the pool. Once the pups begin to climb, it will keep them in the pool until they are 6 to 8 weeks old.

3. When the female is one week from delivery. I start taking her temperature. Normal temperature is 101-102. Some females' temperature will start to fluctuate about one week before whelping. When the temperature stabilizes at 99 degrees and does not move, then you need to be ready to birth the puppies. When working, I like to take the temperature in the morning and again at night. This is a good indication. If the female doesn't start birthing within 24 hours of the 99 degree temperature, then you may have trouble and should visit your vet.

4. Usually within 24 hours of delivery, the female will start bedding. She will shred whatever she feels that she needs to make her nest. Beware, this includes couches, Lazy Boys, beds, and beautiful down quilts! I like to confine my female in her pool so that she can shred her newspaper. It's easier to replace!

5. Have your whelping supplies ready. I like to use the following:

     a. Heating pad placed under the pool with a towel for extra padding in the pool.

     b. Wash clothes for wiping, holding, and slinging the pups.

     c. Scissors, dental floss.

     d. Newspaper.

     e. Good light, flashlight.

     f. Baby scale, note pad, pen.

     g. Oxytocin shot (or you may rather visit your vet)

     h. Latex gloves.

     i. A good book on whelping.

O.K., now you are ready to deliver:

1. The first pup starts to emerge. Don't panic! Give the female a few contractions to push the pup out.

2. Once the pup is out, let mom clean it. If she does not, then you need to help. Read your book on whelping and follow the procedure. Its been my experience that a first time mom will need help with the first pup. After you show her what to do, she'll probably be O.K.

3. Most pups will be born within 1 hour of the pup before. If not, then you may need to visit the vet.

4. After the last pup is born, the oxytocin shot should be given with 24 hours. This helps to clean the womb.

5. During the whelping, make sure that the bed is dry. Don't let the pups chill. Read the whelping book and follow the procedure.

I always keep my pups where they can be watched. It's very important that they are dry, clean, quiet, and warm. Mom tends to get up set if there are other dogs or a lot of activity is going on.

Pups are born and doing well!!! All are quiet and feeding. Mom is being attentive. If not, call your vet!!!

Now, what do you do?

1. Cut declaws before they are one week old.

2. Worm pups and mom at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, & 12 weeks.

3. Begin puppy shots at 6 weeks. I continue to give shots at 9, 12, & 16 weeks.

If all else fails, call someone!!! Breeders and vets are  always willing to help.:)