LoveToKnow Dogs:Ask the Dogs Expert

If both dogs are fertile and the timing is right, one good breeding will usually produce a litter. Many breeders will allow the dogs to mate a second time with one day's rest between the breedings. To me, it sounds like your female has been bred more than enough to conceive a litter if both she and the male are fertile, so I would recommend that you separate them until her heat cycle is completely over. Continued breedings at this point will only exhaust them, and every breeding provides an opportunity for the female to contract an infection. You also don't want to have the gestational age of the pups spread too far apart or some of the litter may be premature when they are born. You can usually recognize a preemie by it's smaller size and lack of fur on the paws.

We have a full selection of articles on pregnancy topics that cover everything from the heat cycle, to breeding through pregnancy and delivery. Here are a few to help you get started.

• Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding
• Dog Pregnancy
• Canine Gestation
• Delivering Puppies

We also have a section on breeding and pregnancy at our Dogs forum. I encourage you to keep in touch there, and I can continue to help you if you need it.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy litter. :) - posted by:Kelly

It sounds to me as though your dog really could be pregnant. There were two good breedings, and a tie usually adds a little extra insurance that the sperm will reach their destination. It's also normal for the vulva to reduce from the size it was during the heat cycle yet still remain a little enlarged throughout the pregnancy due to the hormones in play. Even the mothering you've observed is often a good clue about what's going on inside.

I'm not sure how long ago that breeding took place, but a vet can usually confirm a pregnancy by palpating the uterus on the 28th day of gestation. After that, you usually need to wait until three to four weeks gestation to determine pregnancy through a blood test because it takes about that long for the hormones to rise to detectable levels in the bloodstream. Of course, you can also take the old fashion route and just watch your dog as the weeks go by. Time will tell the tale.

For now, go ahead and treat your dog as if she is pregnant. Offer her a quality food that uses real meat as the protein source, not by-products or corn products. She needs good, highly digestible protein to help her pups grow.

We have some wonderful articles about pregnancy and delivery on the site. You might want to check out Canine Gestation and Delivering Puppies. You can also join us in the Breeder's Corner at the dogs forum for continued advice and support. Hope to see you there. :) - posted by:Kelly

It sounds like you are heading into uncharted territory, so I hope there is still time to prepare.

The first step will be introducing these dogs in a controlled environment away from either dog's home territory. This gives them a chance to meet on neutral ground. Have them both on leash, and allow them to sniff each other thoroughly. There is a lot of communication that goes on between dogs during this ritual. Try to remain relaxed because if you feel tense and anxious, the dogs will pick up on that and begin to think there is something to worry about.

If the initial meet and great goes well, you can progress to taking a nice long walk with both dogs on leash. This gives them the opportunity to settle down together and move as a pack. This is primal for dogs, and also helps them figure out their relationship to one another. It also puts you in the leadership position since you're on the controlling end of the leash. Be sure that you take a long turn walking the Bulldog yourself so he learns you rank above him in the pack order.

If the walk goes well, be prepared to offer the dogs some water together and perhaps a quick treat. This will expose them to their first time eating together. Be sure to praise them well for good behavior.

You can repeat these sessions a couple of times if there is still time before the big move. The real challenge will be bringing your Yorkie into the Bulldog's home turf. To help even things out a bit, I would suggest buying new beds for both dogs, and setting up their initial feeding areas apart from each other. This should lessen the Bulldog's territorial aggression just a little. Of course, you'll need to keep an eye on them until you are sure that things are going smoothly. It would help to have a crate on hand for one of them to take a time out if needed.

So, that's the basic plan for now; offer them a controlled chance to meet and get to know each other a bit before they have to begin living together. If you find you have further questions as you go along, please join us at the Dogs forum where you can get all the advice you need. Good luck. :) - posted by:Kelly

Actually, yes, a dog can conceive from a breeding even in her senior years. Dogs don't go through menopause like women do, so there is no official "end" to their fertility unless they are spayed. That said, there is often a decline in a female's fertility rate as she ages. This can be due to complications from health issues, stress and other factors. Additionally, the length between heat cycles may grow longer or become somewhat erratic.

Is your female currently in good health? Is she still fairly active, and does she have a good appetite? Do her heat cycles still come every six months or annually (depending on what her regular schedule has been)? If the answers to these questions area yes, there's a good chance she could conceive if she really mated.

For now, go ahead and treat her as if she is pregnant, but since she is a senior, I recommend you call your vet to discuss the situation. Your vet may recommend bringing your dog in for a pregnancy exam to try to determine if she is actually carrying a litter. This can usually be done about three to four weeks after the estimated time of the breeding.

In the meantime, we have some articles with good pregnancy info that I think you'll find helpful.

• Signs Of Dog Pregnancy
• Dog Pregnancy Symptoms
• Canine Gestation

Thanks for you question, and please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly