First-time Dog Breeding

Folly's place · Dec 15, 2020

Everything sounds good for summer, and it's going to be a project for sure. What health issues are you going to test for? Hip dysplasia? Elbows? Does this breed have eye problems? What's on the list that needs to be checked out? you have plenty of time to figure this all out.
Nice dogs!
Will you advertise and take deposits on puppies? Getting at least some commitments ahead of time is a good thing.
Mary

zooinmypocket · Dec 17, 2020

Folly's place said:
Everything sounds good for summer, and it's going to be a project for sure. What health issues are you going to test for? Hip dysplasia? Elbows? Does this breed have eye problems? What's on the list that needs to be checked out? you have plenty of time to figure this all out.
Nice dogs!
Will you advertise and take deposits on puppies? Getting at least some commitments ahead of time is a good thing.
Mary

Hips,elbows, and eyes are on the list, will be doing check up and first set of shots before sending them to their new homes, I have 2-3 family lined up as potential homes, so puppy costs just to cover expenses, no deposits. I did find both dogs on craigslist admittedly, but more focused on finding homes than selling, so it's an option if its a large litter asap, especially just getting names and numbers so I can keep them updated on puppy progress.

LaFleche · Dec 21, 2020

zooinmypocket said:
Hips,elbows, and eyes are on the list, will be doing check up and first set of shots before sending them to their new homes, I have 2-3 family lined up as potential homes, so puppy costs just to cover expenses, no deposits. I did find both dogs on craigslist admittedly, but more focused on finding homes than selling, so it's an option if its a large litter asap, especially just getting names and numbers so I can keep them updated on puppy progress.

Although breeders usually strive for as much puppies as they can get and have the dogs mating as often as possible during 1-2 days (often thinking ROI), you can influence the amount of puppies by restricting the mating to just one single act early or late during the fertile days of her ovulation period. If less puppies is what you want.

zooinmypocket · Dec 22, 2020

LaFleche said:
Although breeders usually strive for as much puppies as they can get and have the dogs mating as often as possible during 1-2 days (often thinking ROI), you can influence the amount of puppies by restricting the mating to just one single act early or late during the fertile days of her ovulation period. If less puppies is what you want.

Yes, I actually heard this from a herding trainer I had the young male work with at the beginning of the month. I do appreciate the advice, as I would not have thought about it. I am going to do only 1 or 2 matings at most in case the young male is unsure or the knot doesn't hold if he spooks. I don't want as many puppies as possible preferably no more than teats if that, my biggest concern is for them to be healthy.

chickens really · Dec 25, 2020

The amount of breedings doesn't influence the amount of puppies born. The amount of eggs fertilized determines the litter size. Generally the best days to breed dogs is day 10 to 14 after the first signs of heat.

Folly's place · Dec 25, 2020

I also don't think that ovulation is staggered days apart in bitches. However many eggs that are released in that heat cycle will be present pretty much all at once.
Mary

chickens really · Dec 27, 2020

No ovulation is not staggered. Generally I breed my dogs once my female stands and accepts the male. I breed once a day until the standing heat is over. Can be as early as day 8 and until day 14 or more. If I do a one time breeding I breed day 12. A test can be preformed at the vet to determine the ovulation time.

zooinmypocket · Jun 29, 2021

Hello, I have been busy and have an update. Alot has happened since I last posted on this thread. The young male is now a year old and the female is 2. She is entering her heat that I will breed her on a few days ago. Since the last post the young male showed himself proven. He had a single mating with a German shepherd late November, (unbeknownst to us, timing was not planned but the pairing was, just meant to be later this year) and she gave birth to a litter of 9. Her owners didn't realize she was pregnant and didn't give her proper nutrition, so she had a hard time. She lost 1 puppy before we came by to check on her, the rest of the litter were 7 boys and 1 girl. We took the 4 smallest puppies at a little less than a week old to bottle feed at home and left mom with 4 and better feeding instructions for her owners. She raised her remaining puppies well and we found homes for all puppies. The puppies we brought home led my female to lactate and she took over care for the puppies. She had an incredible mothering instinct ( I will make another post of just photos) and cared for the puppies incredibly well, she's a natural. We still supplemented with formula once in a while, and while her milk was coming in. For 2 weeks she was able to provide plenty of milk for her 4 pups. At 4 weeks the puppies were moving and had open eyes, she developed mastitis and had to be put on medication to dry her up and we transitioned the puppies back to formula, transitional formula, and eventually puppy food so they were fully weaned by 6 weeks. Mom did well and still cared for the puppies and wanted to continue to nurse so we seperated them after 5 weeks. It was an amazing experience to see her mother and just solidified our choice to breed her this season. She gained a good amount of weight for lactating and kept it on until a month or so ago. We kept on of the puppies and she still loves on him, but is also stern when needed.