All About Love- Tips for Breeding Dogs

When is the best time for your dog to find a mate?

How old is your dog?

How many seasons has she had?

She may be too young; on the other hand she could be too old.

find a right mate for him/her (image from kingpupdogwalkers.com)

First and foremost, be sure that your female is both physically and mentally mature enough to be bred. Just being in heat is NOT enough to warrant a breeding. A general rule of thumb is 2nd heat or 15 months but this can vary by breed or individual.

As a professional dog breeder, I would suggest that a dog should never be bred before they are TWO years of age, and should never be bred unless they are a PUREBRED who is in the hands of a quality breeder.

What to do before breeding your dog?

Timing and Planning

You must plan your time to fit around this important event. Apart from the nine week gestation period you will be very busy in the following eight weeks while the puppies are young. Your time will also be spent interviewing prospective owners and caring for the bitch. Remember also that you may not sell all of the puppies as quickly as you had hoped and may need to care from them longer than expected.

Family Commitment

The whole family will have their lives disrupted while there are puppies in the home. The lack of family holidays during this period may be a problem. Visitors must be kept at a minimum in the first days in case infection is introduced – the bitch will also not be receptive to too much interference.

Time of Year

Puppies born in the spring and summer are so much easier to look after. You do not have to worry about the temperature in the whelping room and the little puppies can romp in the garden when they are old enough to go outside.

Find a cool “guy” for your “girl” and give her a peaceful environment.

Leave her some space! (image from dogsmating timeline)

When you introduce the male to your female, be sure he and the female have a current brucellosis test (dog version of STD) and you MONITOR the breeding. It’s advisable to leash both dogs and have a human handler for each. Do not allow any other dogs, pets or small children to the area to avoid stress or injury to all involved.(source from eHow)

Welcome the newborns!

For starters, you should know that pregnancy in dogs lasts approximately 63 days (56 to 69 days). Toy breeds may deliver a week earlier while large breeds often deliver later.

While people tend to think that it can seem scary to watch a dog giving birth, it needn’t be. Your dog knows exactly what to do! And your dog needs you!

You’re just there to assist if momma gets overwhelmed or too tired to welcome her puppies to the world.

Stages Of A Dog Giving Birth:

(source from dogs.thefuntimesguide.com)

Stage 1: Contractions begin, and the cervix becomes dilated and softened.

This may take up 12 to 24 hours.  You may or may not even notice Stage 1 taking place.  Some dogs don’t give any indication that they are in Stage 1 labor, while other dogs may pant, whimper, or even try to hide.  If you notice your dog is in Stage 1 labor, now is a good time to get her into the whelping box.

Stage 2: The mother dog actively pushes the first puppy out.

Once the first puppy is out, the mother dog should remove the amniotic sac from around the puppy’s head.  If the she doesn’t remove the sac within a couple of seconds, take the puppy and remove the sac yourself.  This sac must be removed in order for the puppy to start breathing on its own.

Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta.

Welcome the newborns! (image from www.globalanimal.org)

Everyone has a stray dog story!

It doesn't matter whom you talk with, whether they're a dog lover or not, most people have a stray dog story.


Here is mine:

I met Sunny on a December afternoon 10 years ago. After I finished my classes that day, I was walking home alone in the rain. Suddenly, I saw him—a dog, there, by the side of the road. With a sinking feeling, I realized he was alone, and he needed help. I could hardly tell his breed. He is only 20 inches long with gray and brown fur. I took my water bottle and some cookies out of my bag and gave it to him. I sensed the fear from him as I approached in. He ran away from me immediately and limped back to me slowly with uncertainty. I know he had been attacked so many times that he was too scared to trust any human beings, even though he could tell that I was trying to help him.

The rain stopped and the sunshine came out. At that time, I noticed that meeting him was not a choice but my destiny. I named him Sunny and took him home. Every morning, he limps to me to give me a morning kiss and wakes me up at 6:30 a.m. So I am the only one in my class who has never been late for school. Ten years has passed, he is now healthy and strong with pretty white and yellow fur. I had never imagined that my life could be so colorful with him. I will never forget the rainy day I met him on the street. He is my sunshine, and I love him.

It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for dogs alone range up to 70 million.

According to the statistics from Ralston Purina and NCPPSP, about 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 to 20 percent of dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 to 10 percent are purchased from pet shops. Five out of ten dogs in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.

If you're thinking about bringing a dog into your life, I would strongly recommend you to adopt one from the shelter.

1.Shelter dogs are generally kept up with they're vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and micro chipped before or right after you adopt the dog. This helps cut vet bills tremendously. If you save a stray dog like what did 10 years ago, the first thing you should do is give vaccinations to him/her.

2.Most people want to buy pure bred dogs from pet stores because they're under the impression that the only good dog is a pure bred dog or that pure bred dogs are the only ones worth having. For me, breed is not even important. Sunny is not a pure bred and I even can't tell his breed but think he is the best companion to have. He shares my happiness and sorrow and also makes my life colorful. Pure bred or not? Who cares?

3.Stray dogs or puppies in shelter are more grateful and loyal.Stray dogs do everything they can to please their new owner in return to their hard-won happy lives. They understand treasures and they never complain about new lives without starving and attacking by other people.(or dog people)

If you see this post and you want to have a dog, please run to the nearest stray dog shelter to find your little angel. Save their lives and give them a home. They really need your help!


Tips to make you a great rescuer for stray pet：
(sources from Dogster.com)

1.Be ready to rescue. Here are some things to have in your car at all times: phone numbers of local animal shelter, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic; water bowls and water; strong-smelling foods.

2.Consider the safety of the animal. A strange, frightened, and possibly sick or injured animal may behave unpredictably. If the animal looks or acts threatening, or if for any reason you feel uneasy about the situation, remain in your car.

3.When approaching the animal, speak calmly to reassure him. Make sure he can see you at all times as you approach, and perhaps entice him to come to you by offering a strong-smelling food such as canned tuna or dried liver.

4.Try to lure an animal into your car with food, close the door, and wait for help.

5.If you're not able to safely restrain the animal, call the local police or animal control agency.

6.If you are able to transport the animal, take him to the nearest animal shelter.

All the stray dogs "PAWS" to thank you!