LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Breeding Dogs Questions

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Question: Hi, We own a wheaten and white Border Collie, and she has just had her first litter of seven puppies. I want to know if there's anything else I should do to look after her and her puppies; they're all healthy. How much food should I give our dog? She also doesn't seem to want to drink- is that normal? - Posted by: gigglegurt88@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Bec,

Congratulations on the new litter. For now, the best thing you can do is support mom in caring for the pups. Keep the whelping box as clean as possible, but don't use any chemical cleaners that might harm the pups. Also limit handling of the pups to just yourself and your dog. Don't allow any other dogs near the litter until they are at least five weeks hold and their immune systems are slightly stronger.

As for feeding, allow your dog to eat as much as she wants right now. She needs to replenish her own resources as well as make milk for the pups. It is a little troubling that she doesn't seem to want to drink because that could lead to dehydration. Make sure the water is very fresh, and you can also soak her dog food to get a little more liquid into her. You can also offer her low sodium chicken broth to entice her. If she doesn't begin bouncing back in a day or so, it would be a good idea to let your vet examine her to determine if she has a post delivery infection.

Finally, make sure your dog is cleaning the pups in order to stimulate bowel movements. This is very important because the pups have trouble going on their own until they are a little older.

That's about it for now. Of course, you'll want to take the litter in for their first vaccinations and basic health check at six weeks old. Be sure to make the appointment ahead of time so the shots won't be delayed.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy litter, and thanks for visiting the site. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a female and a male Pomeranian, and they had a litter of puppies in May. I have been debating on getting the female spayed since selling the puppies and worrying about whether they truly went to a good home was just too hard. My female has not shown any sign of coming into heat, and my male has shown no sign of interest in her. So, I did not see the need to keep them separated in the house. My female is now gaining weight and looks suspiciously pregnant. How can you tell if a female is coming into heat so soon after having just had a litter of puppies? This is the last thing I wanted to have happen to her. She is only 2 yrs old. Thank you, T. McGraw - Posted by: elitetish@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi T,

Yes, making sure the pups go to good homes is an awesome responsibility, and it can be very hard to say good-bye when the time comes. However, it's a good sign that you truly cared about them. Many breeders feel this same way.

From the May birth, it has only been about four months since your dog has delivered. Some females will come into heat again around this time, while others will take a few additional months to get back into the cycle. That said, there are the rare females that go back into a heat cycle very quickly after delivery. Thankfully, these dogs are the exception rather than the rule. All of that said, Dog Heat Symptoms would still be the same at this time as any other. Swelling of the vulva, discharge and interest from your male would be the most likely indicators that your female was in heat again.

If you never saw any breeding activity, it's probably not likely that your dog is pregnant. She may just be regaining her figure after being drained by the demands of the litter. Keep in mind that her breasts will retain the "nursing" look for some time to come, and this might be contributing to her pregnant appearance at this time. However, if you feel her body change is truly significant, it would be a good idea to have her examined by your vet. The vet can check her hormone levels with a simple blood test that would reveal a pregnancy. The vet will also feel her uterus and let you know if there is anything unusual about it. If all is well, you can take the opportunity to discuss the possibility of having her spayed.

Thanks for this question, and I hope you find the info helpful to your situation. :)

- posted by:Kelly

Question: My dog is in heat, but the bleeding is stopping. Is it too late to breed her? - Posted by: etwintower28@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Eric, and welcome to the site.

The answer to your question really depends on how far through the cycle your dog actually is. There is a point in the middle, typically during the second week, where the dripping is almost non-existent. The red blood lightens to a tannish-pink discharge, and the vulva becomes very soft. This is the fertile period where breedings typically take place. Around the beginning of the third week, the bleeding resumes but tapers off over the course of the week until the cycle has ended.

So, if you know whether this is your pet's second or third week in the cycle, that will tell you if it's likely too late for a successful breeding. If you're not sure, you can let the stud try to breed her and see if she is willing to cooperate. Sometimes a breeding late in the cycle will still produce a small litter, so it's worth a try.

For more info on this topic, check out:

I think you'll find both articles helpful. Thanks for your question, and good luck. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-year-old German Shepherd that has had litters from two consecutive heat cycles. She's in heat again, and I'd like to know if it is healthy for her to be pregnant again after only having five months recovery period? Thank you. - Posted by: r_yee10@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Rhandy,

This is something I really wouldn't recommend. Although I know of some professional breeders that will breed a female on back to back seasons, I don't know of any reputable breeder who will go for three litters in a row from the same female.

Each litter draws on the female's own resources for their development, and it takes a while for mom to recover the nutrients and minerals lost. If she goes back into litter production without a significant rest, the next litter may dip into her personal reserves. This could mean drawing calcium from her own bones to supply puppy bone production and milk. A third litter in a row can complicate matters even further.

As you can see, it might be possible for a female to produce three litters in a row, but it's really not healthy for her. I would actually recommend a year's rest after having two litters in a row.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: We breed Shelties and we just had two litters of puppies; one on June 21 and the other June 28. My question is do I count from the time they were in heat until their next heat cycle or from the time they had their puppies? Some of the males are really getting friendly with the one female, but she can't be in heat again already can she? She whelped the June 28 litter. - Posted by: tandkw@bellsouth.net

Answer: Hi Tami,

There is no easy answer to this question because conditions vary from one female to the next. Most typically, a female will stay on her regular schedule. This means that if she normally comes into heat every six months, she'll have her next heat cycle about four months after the pups are born.

That said, the amount of stress caused by raising the litter can sometimes delay the heat cycle a bit until the female has regained full health and condition. This means it might take as long as six months from the time the litter was born before the next heat cycle commences.

As for your female that your males are already showing interest in, I'd keep a very close eye on her. There are exceptions to every rule, and there have been cases of females that came back into season very soon after whelping a litter. It would not be good for your female to go straight back into litter production before she's had time to fully recover from the physical demands of the previous litter. It might also be a good idea to consult your vet about what's going on, and definitely let him know if you see signs of bleeding. Renewed bleeding this soon after whelping might also indicate a problem with the uterus, so better to be on the safe side.

Thanks for your question, and for visiting the site. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a female Husky. I think she is in heat, but she cleans up any blood so I'm not sure. She doesn't give many signs that she is in heat. I just want to start tracking her cycle so we don't have another surprise pregnacy like her first litter. We didn't even know until the day she went into labor. Is there any sure way to tell if she is in heat beside the blood? - Posted by: marinedragonmom@aol.com

Answer: Hi Ashley,

Yes, it's difficult to track the heat cycles of a female that keeps herself scrupulously clean. You female also may have extremely light flow in the bargain.

In our article Dog Heat Symptoms you'll find a number of other indications your dog may be in heat. Check each sign carefully against your dog to see if you can detect any similarities.

That said, your vet can also check for the heat cycle by performing a blood test to reveal the hormone levels. It may also be possible to take vaginal smears for more info. This can get expensive, so unless you plan to use your dog for breeding, it may be easier to simply have her spayed and be finshed with the cycles altogether.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: When my dog is in heat, is it normal for her to bleed a lot? If not, what can I do to help stop the bleeding? - Posted by: herbieheran@aol.com

Answer: Hi Molly,

Whether your dog is bleeding too much really depends on your idea of what is a lot. Some females release so little blood discharge during the course of a heat cycle that you might not realize they are in season. Others leave spots and small puddles everywhere.

Generally speaking, most females leave spots anywhere from the size of a dime to a fifty-cent piece. If your female discharges more than this, it might be wise to consult your vet.

There really isn't a way to prevent bleeding during a heat cycle other than having a dog spayed to stop the cycles altogether. That said, you can try putting a pair of doggie britches on your female to catch the blood discharge and prevent it from staining your floors and furniture. You can find these garments at many pet supply stores, and they are easy to use. They strap around your dog's rear end and secure with snaps. The section that covers the vulva contains a small slot to insert tiny doggie pads or folded tissue. Just remember that you need to remove the britches every time you take your dog out to exercise.

I hope that this information helps you. You might also want to read our article on Dog Heat Symptoms to gain a better understanding of the entire heat cycle process. This should also help you judge whether your pet's cycle is normal.

Thanks for your questions and for visiting the site. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I bred my Boerboele bitch at about 6:00 p.m. on 11/08/2008 with a Boerboele male dog and then locked it in her room afterwards. Unfortunately, when I woke up the following morning, I saw that my Boerboele bitch had come out of the cage and was walking alongside my male Boxer. On the same day I bred the Boerboele, I also mated my female Boxer with the same male Boxer. The question is: is it possible for the male Boxer to have mated with the female Boerboele, and if so, what are the implications? - Posted by: willmould@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi William,

Unfortunately it is very possible that the Boxer male bred your Boerboele bitch. If this happened, your female could produce pups by him. The added complication is that some of her eggs could also have been fertilized by the Boerboele male, so she could have a litter with pups from both males. You would need to perform DNA tests on all the parents and pups involved to sort out which pup belongs to which male. This would be an expensive undertaking, but it's really the most reliable way to sort things out.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I bred my two AKC registered Shelties and found out after the dam was pregnant that the two were related. I have sucessfully had two litters with these two dogs. Every pup has been healthy. Do I need to tell potential buyers that mom and dad are related? (They have the same dad, but a different mom and are about six months apart in age. So essentially they are 1/2 brother and sister.) Also, would their pups be linebred or inbred? Thanks so much! - KIM - Posted by: Theholesinhishandssavedme@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Kim,

Actually, what you're describing qualifies as a line breeding since these dogs don't have both parents in common. This type of line breeding can be useful in establishing breed type when both dogs are good specimens according to the AKC standard and neither one has a serious fault. You may want to try to find out if there are any genetic diseases inherent in the line before you breed them again, but basically what you're doing is alright.

I would only consider it necessary to tell potential buyers about an inbreeding, but there's no reason to conceal a line breeding. In fact, line breeding is usually considered desirable.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck with the litter. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Is cryptorchidism hereditary, and if so, is it passed from father to son? - Posted by: mervincasling@googlemail.com

Answer: Hi Mrs. Casling,

Yes, cryptorchidism is believed to be hereditary. It is caused by a recessive gene, so it takes a recessive from both parents to produce the condition in an affected male.

For our visitors who aren't familiar with the term, cryptorchidism is a condition in which a dog has two testicles, but one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum. Unitlateral cryptorchidism involves just one testicle failing to descend, while a bilateral case involves the failure of both testicles to descend. A similar condition called monorchidism refers to the fact that a male has only one testicle rather than two. Both cryptorchidism and monorchidism can affect a male's fertility. For this reason, it's best to exclude the dog from a breeding program so the fault is not perpetuated to further generations.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Our littermates accidentally bred. We had them separated, and a family member was supposed to take care of the dogs. To make a long story short, they got together and bred. We moved, but the dogs stayed with family member who didn't think the female could have gotten pregant during the encounter because both dogs were so young. Well, now she is very far along in her pregnancy, too far for abortion. These parents are pure Jack Russell Terriers. The family line was good with no health problems, but I don't know what to do. When the pups come, do I give them away, and should I tell people what happened? Or Should I call the vet? Please help. - Posted by: cabby328@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Cory,

It's sounds as though you have a bit of a situation on your hands. Here's what I advise.

First, call your vet to discuss the entire situation. You don't mention exactly how old your female is, but it sounds as though she is still a puppy herself. This could make the pregnancy and delivery a little tougher on her. It would be best to let your vet examine her and decide what to do from there.
Now, let's talk about the pups. If there are no significant health problems in the dogs' line, there's a good chance these inbred pups won't be adversely affected. However, you'll want to have your vet assess the litter to make sure everyone is physically and mentally sound before you consider sending them to new homes. As a breeder myself, I feel it's important to fully disclose the fact that the pups are inbred to anyone who considers taking one. This is important for people to know in case health problems do crop up in the future. For this same reason, I wouldn't ask to be paid for the pups, just give them away as long as all parties involved understand the circumstances and agree to them.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope everything works out for the best.

- posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, we have friends who own a male Saint Bernard around four years of age. They rescued the dog last winter after his owner did not provide adequate care for him. His testicles were very enlarged and black, and our friends' vet told them they were frozen. They have now returned to normal size and he is healthy and fine. Their question is, can this dog still produce offspring? His actions towards female dogs in heat is normal, and by all outward appearances everything looks to be working normally. In fact, my friends arrived home to find their dog and the neighbor's dog stuck together for aproximately 15 minutes. Now there is concern from both parties over whether the female could be pregnant. I would really appreciate your advise. Thanks. - Posted by: familyzooo@shaw.ca

Answer: Hi Amber,

Typically, frozen tissue that turns black is frostbitten. This tissue usually doesn't regenerate, so there's a possibility that the testicles weren't truly frozen. That said, the vet must be the one to assess this dog's reproductive health. This could be accomplished by a physical examination as well as taking a sperm sample. The vet would check the count and motility of the sperm to determine the likelihood that your friends' dog could fertilize a female. From there, your friends and their neighbors can decide how to proceed if the female is truly pregnant.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the situation works out. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My dog, a 17-month-old Beagle, is on her second heat. We have a stud, too, and planned to breed them after she turns two. She began showing signs (bloody discharge) on May 24, and we have been careful about keeping them apart since then. Yesterday, our male seemed to have lost interest, as had she; she wasn't standing for him and he wasn't chasing her or freaking out anymore. Today was the same, I watched them not be interested in each other in the yard for almost three hours! Finally, I went inside, leaving them in the yard together for at most 15 minutes. When I came out, they were tied (and remained tied for about 10 minutes)! She has been in heat, as far as we know, for 18 days at this point (it's now June 11). Is she still fertile? Why would they have seemed so uninterested and then mated? What is the likelihood that the mating will produce a pregnancy? What options do I have at this point? I don't want to risk her health with a pregnancy she is too young for. Please help; I feel like a real idiot. - Posted by: sarah.e.roth@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Sarah,

There's no reason to feel bad. You were careful about the situation, and the dogs no longer seemed interested in each other. Sometimes these things just happen. The entire heat cycle lasts about three weeks, so I usually recommend keeping the dog completely separated until then. Luckily, the breeding was between the pair you want to breed eventually.

At 17 months old, your female is old enough to breed and really shouldn't have any special problems delivering due to her age. Feed her a balanced diet, take her for a daily walk around the neighborhood to help her stay toned and all should be well.

I have a couple of articles I think you'll find helpful if this breeding does indeed produce a pregnancy.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you feel better about the situation now. Best wishes for a healthy litter.

- posted by:Kelly

Question: My Labrador has had pups five weeks ago, and she's losing hair below her neck and sides. Someone suggested stress was causing it; do you have any idea if this could be true? Many thanks. - Posted by: wilmont925@btinternet.com

Answer: Hi Michelle,

It is possible that the hair loss you're witnessing is due to the recent litter of pups. Many females blow coat after a pregnancy. This is in part due to the hormone flux, but it's also a sign that your dog's personal resources are being depleted by the pups' demand for milk.

At five weeks old, it's time to start early weaning by introducing the pups to loose solids. First, you must teach them to lap water so you can be reasonably sure they won't choke when you begin with the solids. Use a very low rim dish and fill it with water. One by one, introduce each pup to the water and encourage it to lick a bit from your fingertip. Next, coax the pup to lick your fingers right out of the dish. You should eventually be able to remove your hand completely and let the pup lap on its own.

Once the puppies appear able to lap, I usually switch to a formula consisting of high protein baby cereal mixed with a little ground up puppy kibble. Just combine two parts cereal with one part ground kibble, and add enough warm water to make a runny oatmeal mix. Teach the pups to lap this mixture just as you did the water. It's usually easier to get them to take their formula because they like the taste. Feeding time is messy, but mom is usually willing to clean up the pups afterward. You can also allow mom to finish off any leftover formula.

Allow the pups to continue nursing while you are getting them used to the formula. Also begin keeping fresh water on hand for them in a shallow dish. As the pups become good at cleaning up their formula, you can gradually increase the amount of ground kibble and reduce the protein baby cereal. You can also gradually thicken the mix to a paste. Eventually it will become time to introduce the puppy kibble whole, but you can soak it in warm water to soften it a bit.

During this entire process, begin giving you dog some time on her own away from the pups. She will eventually become used to this, and it gives her time away from nursing. This should encourage the pups to eat more on their own and become less dependent on mom. Her milk production will reduce gradually, leading to less complications with overly full breasts. The pups should be fully weaned around seven to eight weeks old.

Once your female is no longer nursing, all of her nutrition will go back into her own needs and you should see her coat begin to fill in and her weight increase back to normal. Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this advice helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My friend is is a breeder, and I took my male dog to her so he could be bred to two of her females. She told me he bred to both females. I get pick of the litter for one and stud fee for the other. My question is this: My friend says the one female I get a puppy from is pregnant, and the one for the stud fee is not pregnant. I am at this moment keeping both of these female dogs, and both females look pregnant to me. They both have enlarged teats and both have great appetites. Basically, they both are showing the same signs of being pregnant. I have been reading about dog pregnancy signs on this site. How can I tell if the other female is pregnant? What do I say to my friend? Kind of in between a rock and a hard place here. I know this is not a normal question for you to answer, and you're not a lawyer, but I can't find a good site for any type of answers except this one. - Posted by: walesnbama@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Griff,

A pregnancy blood test is the simplest way to confirm whether or not the bitch in question is pregnant. If she had previously been palpated by a vet, the vet might have missed feeling an embryo or two if it was tucked high up in the uterine horn. The blood test will confirm whatever is going on. Whoever takes the bitch in should be prepared to pay for the test.

Next item, the stud fee. I don't know what kind of arrangement you made with your friend, but let me tell you how breeders typically handle things. The stud fee is usually paid at the time of the breeding. It is paid in consideration of the work done by the stud, and is typically not refundable. It is up to the stud and bitch owners to discuss any terms (typically referred to as a breeding contract) before the breeding takes place to agree on which responsibilities each of them has in various situations. Typically, a stud owner will guarantee the female will have at least one live birth, and be willing to repeat the breeding one more time at no extra charge if she doesn't. Some stud owners do agree to return the fee if the bitch doesn't take, but this happens less frequently.

Although I'm not a lawyer, I do know that a judge would try to ascertain whether there was a meeting of the minds regarding the terms set for the breeding in order to determine whether the two of you had a verbal contract regarding payment of the stud fee.

Where you go from here depends on whether the bitch is actually pregnant and whether you received the stud fee at time of service. All of that said, you should also take into consideration how important this friendship is to you. The current situation with the dogs could put the relationship in jeopardy, so consider your actions carefully before making any decisions. Will the money really be worth sacrificing a friendship?

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out for the best. - posted by:Kelly

Question: At what age is the female dog considered mature for getting pregnant? My five-year-old male Rottweiler exposed bred my ten-month-old female Rottie. Is she too young to get pregnant? - Posted by: drobinson1963@gmail.com

Answer: Hi DeeDee,

Yes, your female is really too young to go through a pregnancy, but sometimes accidents happen. The age a female is considered mature enough to breed varies according to size. Smaller breeds usually reach physical maturity between 12 and fifteen months old. Medium breeds are usually considered mature between 15 and 18 months old, while large breeds like Rottweilers are usually considered mature between 18 to 24 months old. As you can see, your puppy is extremely young to be supporting a litter at her age.

My advice is to consult your vet and ask him/her to perform a blood test for pregnancy. This way you'll know exactly what you're dealing with. If your female is pregnant, the vet will assess her overall health and ability to carry the litter. You'll also likely receive advice on proper nutrition to help keep your female from depleting her own resources that she still needs to complete her own growth.

Although this is not the ideal situation, there's still a good chance that everything will work out alright. Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a three-year-old Pomeranian female and a nine-month-old male Pom. I also have a nine-month-old male Pitbull. My two Pomeranians bred on Monday and Tuesday, and then yesterday by accident my male bred her. I don't want any mixed dogs. What do you think is the best thing for me to do? - Posted by: dnc625@hotmail.com

Answer: Hello Danielle,

I definitely think you should consult your vet about the situation and see what he/she advises about terminating a possible litter. The Pit is considerably larger, so the size of any potential pups belonging to him could be difficult for your female to deliver. And yes, any litter resulting from these breedings could contain puppies from both males since it just depends on which dog's sperm fertilizes each of the eggs your female produces.

I also think you might want to consider having your Pitbull neutered so there's no chance that this could happen again. It would mean a lot less worry for you in the long run.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things turn out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a one-year-old bitch that we just bred. It was her second heat, and when we bred her she was still spotting a little dark blood. My question is could she become pregnant from this breeding, or was it still to soon? ~~Kathrine - Posted by: katwill01@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Kathrine,

It sounds as though your bitch's vulva had softened enough to allow the male entry, so if she wasn't quite fertile the day of the breeding, she probably began releasing eggs shortly afterward. The good new is that it's highly possible your bitch will become pregnant from this breeding. Once the sperm have been delivered, they can live on to fertilize any eggs coming down for the next several days. Of further interest, the male sperm tend to die off quicker than the female sperm, so it's possible that a slightly early breeding such as this could produce more female pups than males.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you'll be hearing the pitter-patter of little paws in the near future. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: Our female dog is three years old and is half Min Pin and half Dachshund, while the male dog she was bred to is 100% Min Pin. They mated three times this week, and they both had never mated before. My question is how many puppies can the female have in one pregnancy, assuming she is pregnant? - Posted by: hotgigi_ceramics@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Gladys,

This is an interesting question. In any mating, it is the female that determines how many pups there will be, while the male determines the sex of each pup. Dachshunds and Min Pins tend to have four pups on average, but this varies from line to line. Do you know how many pups were in the litter your female came from? This might be a good indication of what she is capable of producing. However, we need to keep in mind that a lot depends on the timing of the breeding. If a breeding occurred just before your female began to release eggs, there would be optimum chance for fertilization. If the breeding took place after the female began releasing eggs, the litter size would likely be smaller.

To get an idea of how many pups might be in this particular litter, schedule a vet appointment for the 28th day after the first breeding so your vet can palpate the uterus. The embryos would be the size of peas at this time, so your vet could count as many as he/she is able to feel.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that the pregnancy and the delivery go well. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I am buying my beautiful Shih Tzu two weeks from now, and I was wondering about something. If the parents are brother and sister, will this puppy survive? I would just hate to love her and then have her die. When this litter was born, the mother left one out to die. I was wondering if this is safe? - Posted by: kcdacheetah@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Karen,

In my opinion, it isn't wise to breed related dogs quite this closely, but sometimes it happens by accident when siblings live together. This is what we refer to as an inbreeding. An inbreeding has the potential to produce any genetic problems that might be in the line because you are doubling up on the parent's genetics.

Sometimes an inbreeding produces pups that display no health/mental problems at all. Other times the pups may be slow or have other defects. Since this was definitely an inbreeding, I would insist the breeder provide you with a written health guarantee against all genetic defects that assures you'll receive the purchase price back if your puppy does turn out to have problems. You might also be able to negotiate a trip to your vet for a thorough examination before you agree to purchase the pup. If the pup is healthy, you'd want to assume the cost of the office call. If not, you'd want the breeder to reimburse you.

That's my opinion on the subject, but I do hope things work out for you. It is very possible that this pup is healthy, so don't become discouraged until you're able to get more information about her. Good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a one-year-old male and two-year-old female Italian Greyhound. She is small, about seven pounds, and he is about eleven pounds and a bit taller. My female is now in her third heat and ready to accept the male, but he is having trouble pentetrating her, probably because he is much taller. He has such long back legs! Plus my female really cries, which is very unnerving. The male seems to give up too early. Today has been the first day that they have tried mating, but it has not happened. Sometimes he just doesn't seem to be that interested in her after he has tried numerous times and they don't tie up. Is this normal? Thank you, Ludean - Posted by: al55weitner@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Ludean,

It actually sounds like there are a number of issues going on here, so let me address them one by one and give you a few alternatives.

First, correct me if I'm wrong, but both of these dogs are inexperienced breeders, right? Breedings between virgin partners are notoriously awkward. It is usually best to begin a breeding career by pairing the inexperienced dog with a partner that has bred before. This usually results in getting the job done with a minimum of fuss, and makes future breedings easier for all concerned. In this scenario, I'd advise breeding your female to a veteran stud this first time, and using your own male for her next litter. You may even be able to work out an agreement with the stud owner to trade services and break in your inexperienced male on an experienced brood bitch.

Second issue, although your bitch may seem somewhat receptive to the male, it doesn't sound like she is quite ready yet. Your dog may have difficulty penetrating her if her vulva hasn't softened up sufficiently. This could change over the next couple of days, so you can keep trying.

Issue three, the size difference can make achieving a full breeding a bit more difficult. The shorter partner can be placed on a platform to increase height. This could be a heavy book, a small box or some other sturdy object that won't shift during the breeding. Once you equal out the height, it's usually easier for the breeding to proceed.

Finally, it does sound as though your male is wearing himself out trying. I would limit the sessions to about 15 minutes each. If he hasn't successfully tied to her by then, separate the dogs so they don't become exhausted.

I hope I have given you enough options to help you carry out a successful breeding one way or another. Good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi Kelly, I've written before about my Bichon named Tara. Her scan showed she was pregnant with two pups, but she actually had six puppies this weekend! It was a very long and difficult birth because all the pups came breech. My bitch withheld one placenta, but the vet gave her a shot to help expel it. Right now, I am mainly concerned about her eating habits. She has always difficult to feed, and she does not like dog food. I am offering her everything, but she eats very little. The pups are gaining weight, but I don't think her milk will last much longer at this rate. My bitch has colitis, so the vet has asked me not to give her Lactol as a food alternative, but I am giving her a calcium supplement. Any ideas? I have everything I need to begin hand feeding if the puppies need it, but six puppies is a lot to feed by hand. I would like to try everything I can for Tara first. She is actually being a great mom to them, just as I thought she would be. As always, thanks for your time. ~~Debbie - Posted by: debbiei@btinternet.com

Answer: Hi Debbie,

Wow, six after all, congratulations! That's a good sized litter for a Bichon, so your dog's reluctance to eat could complicate matters a bit. It's perfectly alright to offer Tara human foods, but be sure follow your vet's recommendations about the colitis issue because you don't want to aggravate it.

Many bitches don't go into full milk production until after nursing the puppies for a few days, but that nursing does stimulate production, and the body will naturally ramp up the supply to meet the demand. Right now, it's an excellent sign that the pups are only feeding from mom and still gaining weight. For now, I wouldn't begin supplementation just yet because your bitch may begin to produce less milk if there isn't as great a demand. Keep weighing the pups and look for small but continuous progress. This is a sign that all is well.

I realize your dog is picky about what she'll eat, but I typically recommend boiled chicken or ground beef with brown rice as a basic starter diet for finicky eaters. Since Tara could benefit from more calcium at this point, you could offer plain yogurt and/or cottage cheese mixed in with her food as a natural replacement for the calcium pills. If she likes these foods, she may eat more of what's in her bowl.

You can always supplement the pups if they begin to lose weight, but let's see what Tara can do on her own. Because of the circumstances, you may want to consider the possibility of early weaning to lessen Tara's wear and tear. You can offer the pups a loose mix of Gerber high protein baby cereal at the age of four weeks. This will teach them to lap from a bowl. Once they are readily eating this mix once a day, you can gradually thicken the mix. From there, I grind down puppy food in a blender and begin adding it to the cereal, eventually working to a full moistened puppy food mix without the cereal. Always keep fresh water available in a shallow bowl so the pups learn to drink this too.

Hopefully these suggestions will help Tara begin eating better and continue to feed the puppies on her own at least through the first three weeks. The pups are receiving important immunities from mom during this period that sustain them until their own immune systems are operating well enough to provide them with some protection.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck with everything! - posted by:Kelly

Question: I would like to know anything about the "chilled semen breeding" and the qualifications of a repo vet. The dog breed is Doberman. I understand this could be a tricky procedure. Thank you for any information you might have. - Posted by: kcook@covansys.com

Answer: Hi Kathy,

Breeding dogs by obtaining semen from the stud dog and chilling it to extend its life through shipping is gaining popularity among dog breeders. It certainly opens up a wider selection of studs because it is far easier than shipping a bitch to be bred or transporting her to the stud yourself.

The process isn't too complicated. Any vet that is familiar with the artificial insemination process can collect the semen from the stud dog in a sterile container. The semen is then chilled and held at the ideal temperature until it is delivered to the vet who will use it to inseminate the bitch.

Statistics show that it's easier to obtain healthy, viable semen from studs between the ages of two to four years old. The vet should collect an initial specimen to examine for any abnormalities that might interfere with fertility. Once viability has been established, it's important to chill this first sample to see how well the sperm survive the process. Each case is unique, and not every dog's semen will be suitable for chilling.

As you can see, it's better to prepare for this type of breeding well in advance of the bitch's expected heat cycle. If all goes well, a fresh sample can be collected just prior to breeding.

Thanks for a very interesting question, and best of luck with your endeavor. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi there I left a question yesterday about my Akita on her heat cycle and I think I missed your reply! I have a stud dog ready over in Derby(Im in Liverpool) and the owner and I are worried about missing her standing heat period! I took my dog to the vets on Saturday (Day 9)for tests but they returned that she was only (0.85) early in her cycle,Ive taken her again today and waiting for results. Am I right in beleaving she could spontanuosly come into standing heat at any time? Please help,many thanks Alex.. - Posted by: crane.a@merseymail.com

Answer: Hi Alex,

I've always watched the signals my bitch was sending in order to determine when she was ready for breeding. You should notice the vulva begin to soften after the initial swelling. Your bitch may also begin flirting and flagging her tail. Run your hand down her back from the back of her neck to her rump. Does she push up a little at the end? if so, she's probably just about ready for breeding.

I also depend on the color of the discharge to let me know when a bitch is fertile. During the fertile phase, the discharge lightens from red to pinkish tan. When I see this color, I test the bitch with the stud, and a breeding usually commences.

Thanks for your questions and good luck with the breeding. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have noticed some dicharge when my girl dog "Violet" sits, and I believe she has come into heat. Because of her giadria, on our vet's advice we have put off her spaying until she is better. Is there anything that we can do until she gets through this, and what can we do to make this go smoother? - Posted by: mosqueda32@charter.net

Answer: Hi Christy and David,

Right now, it's very important to follow any instructions your vet gave you about administering medication for your dog's infection. This should help her recover from the infection as quickly as possible.

As for her heat cycle, the main thing you want to do is take every precaution that she isn't bred by a male. This means staying with her when she's exercising outside, and making sure she doesn't charge out the door if you open it. As for the dripping that necessarily comes with being in season, there are a couple ways of dealing with this. You can purchase a pair of "doggie britches" that fit over her tail and rear. There's a pocket to insert a small pad or folded tissue to absorb the drippings. Just make sure to remove the britches before she goes outside to potty.

Some dogs find the britches irritating and chew through the straps, so I have an alternative suggestion that has worked well for me. Purchase three to four pairs of cotton training pants for small children. You may have trouble finding them these days, but your better department stores or a Carter's outlet may still carry them. All you need do is cut a slit for your dog's tale to fit through and you have a far more comfortable pair of britches for her. You can put a clean pair on her while the soiled one is being washed. I suppose you could try this with a disposable trainer found at most grocery stores, but your dog may find the material very easy to chew through. If you do choose this route, let me know how well the disposables work.

Thanks for your questions, and good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have an ten-week-old Chow Chow puppy. When will she go into heat? My uncle is the breeder, and he gave me a male and a female. He told me she should come in around nine months old, but other people say six months old. - Posted by: king009@bellsouth.net

Answer: Hi Rasputia,

Most bitches come into their first heat cycle between six months and one year old. Once she has her second heat cycle you'll be able to judge what her future heat cycle pattern will be.

It's important that you do not allow the male dog to breed your bitch on the first heat cycle if she is less than a year old. My best advice would be to not breed a Chow before it was at least 18 months old. This way she should be mature enough to handle a litter.

I think you find our article on Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding very helpful.

Best wishes with your new dogs. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi There, I was just wondering if it normal to breed a Shih Tzu bitch after she has had only one heat (this makes her 13 months old), and if she should breed again as soon as another heat comes. To me this seems a bit fast. Thanks. - Posted by: femaletaz01@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Jen,

It is fine to breed a 13-month old Shih Tzu bitch as long as she has good body for her frame size. Smaller breeds finish growing quicker than larger breeds, so you can breed them sooner, as long as the animal is in good condition.

I have heard of breeders that do back to back breedings on two seasons in a row, but I don't think this is necessary or beneficial for the bitch. Each litter depletes the mother's resources, and she needs adequate recovery time between litters.

That's my personal opinion, although I know some very famous breeders that would argue breeding a bitch two to three times in a row to several chosen studs and then spaying her. Their argument is that the bitch is already in "breeding mode", so why not get the litters you planned and then retire the brood instead of dragging the process out over a period of years. I believe it is better to give the bitch a well deserved rest between breedings.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-year-old Yorkie female that I have raised from birth. The problem is that she has never come into season. I would like to breed her, so is there anything she may need to make her come in season? - Posted by: MartyW@wildblue.net

Answer: Hi Marty,

You should discuss this with your vet, but yes, there is something you can try to bring your bitch into heat.

Dog heat cycles are governed by hormones, some keep the dog from coming into heat, others signal the heat cycle to begin. Some vets are willing to administer a shot of cabergoline to induce the heat cycle to begin. It's not a sure thing, but it may help. You should also know that some vets recommend skipping breeding on this cycle, and breeding on the following cycle. Typically, once that first cycle has been triggered, the dog will continue to cycle on a normal schedule.

There's also a small possibility that you bitch may have had what we call a silent heat. With a silent heat there is almost no sign that the bitch is cycling. Sometimes even the stud dog isn't sure. I'd advise you to have your vet give your bitch a thorough check up to make sure everything is in order before opting for the injection.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out for you. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I have a four-year-old Yorkie/Poodle bitch that was mated for the first time on January 17 and again on January 19. Although today is only Monday, already she is resting and not doing very much, and she seems to be a bit off her food. Naturally I'm terribly concerned as I carefully waited to breed her with her Yorkie husband; are the above symptoms normal and a good sign, or should I be worried? - Posted by: tw1nkletoes37@hotmail.co.uk

Answer: Hi Tracey,

My hunch is that your bitch is just exhausted after her big romantic weekend. She'll likely begin to act normal in another day.

I think you'll also find our article on Signs Of Dog Pregnancy quite useful.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I was sent an email that my question (Is it healthier for a cocker to get pregnant or not) was answered, however the web link does not work and I have tried to find the answer via topic in the love to know website but I couldn't find it there either. Please let me know where I may find it - THANK YOU! - Posted by: jek2118@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Jennifer,

Due to the popularity of this column, we need to roll questions off into corresponding categories sooner than we would like. However, you will find your answer by going to the bottom of this page and clicking on the "Breeding Dogs Questions" category. At the time of this writing, you are the third question from the top. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, I am about to get a bitch; she is a Bassett/Cocker cross. I have never had a female before, and I was just wondering how much they bleed when in season? I thank you for any answers you can give me, no matter how estimated. Regards, Carla - Posted by: markpanton@btinternet.com

Answer: Hi Carla,

Some bitches bleed heavier than others when in heat, but on average, it is far less than women experience in the average monthly cycle. When using doggie britches on a bitch in heat, I will typically need to change the tissue inside about three times a day.

You might like to read our article about Dog Heat Cycle and Breeding for even more information. If you decide dealing with heat cycles is not worth the trouble, you might consider having your bitch spayed once she reaches six months old. That way you'll also never have to worry about an unwanted litter.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi Kelly, Compliments of the season. I want to go into breeding dogs. What are the things I need to put in place and know. - Posted by: edetafo65@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Edward,

First and foremost, don't buy a dog yet. You have a lot of studying to do before you can evaluate whether a bitch is worthy of breeding. You should also take stock of exactly why you want to breed. Good dog breeders don't make a lot of money because they make sure every pup, as well as the breeding stock, receives the best housing and nutrition, as well as necessary medical care and testing for inherited diseases. It's a labor of love, and money is not the biggest reward.

Next, think about the pups you're likely to produce. Will you be able to find homes for each one? Are you willing and able to provide a home for every pup you're unable to place? There are thousands, if not millions of dogs in shelters as we speak, so this is an important thing to consider before increasing the canine population.

If you're still sure you want to breed, you'll need to do some research to find just the right breed for you. We have a number of articles in our Dog Breeds category that may give you some direction. Once you settle on a breed, you'll need to begin visiting breeders. This is a great way to really see if you'd like living with a particular breed, and you may even find a breeder willing to mentor you. This is absolutely the best way to learn if you are able to connect with a responsible breeder.

All of that said, here are some articles about dog breeding that you should find useful. Your library is also a great resource for finding books on the topic that have the room to go into greater depth than we can in a single article.

Well, you have your work cut out for you, but I wish you well. Being involved in dogs has enriched my life in many ways, and I can't imagine living without one. - posted by:Kelly

Question: How long does a female cycle last, a few days or a few weeks? By the way, I have a Bull Terrier that is thirteen weeks old, and she is very smart. - Posted by: chhc_joann@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Connie,

The typical heat cycle lasts about three weeks, give or take a couple of days. I have a few articles that I think you'll find helpful.

At thirteen weeks old, you've got at least a couple more months before your puppy has her first cycle, and she may even wait until she about one year old before her cycles begin.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your new puppy. - posted by:Kelly

Question: is it possible for a female dog to be pregnant by 2 different males when the 2nd accidental breeding took place a little over a week after the intentional breeding? - Posted by: no1spuppetisback@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Cheryl,

I originally found your question yesterday at Female Dog Heat Cycle and answered it there. Thanks! - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a 2-year-old female cocker spaniel. I have heard that it is healthy for females to get pregnant to avoid cancer, but I have also heard that pregnancy can cause death. Someone told me recently that it is not healthy for female dogs to get pregnant only once - basically, if she gets pregnant once, then she should get pregnant continuously throughout her lifespan. Thank you, Jennifer - Posted by: jek2118@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Jennifer,

I too remember hearing that old wives tale that a bitch should have a litter to help her avoid uterine disease later in life. None of the information you have been given is correct. As long as a bitch still has her uterus, she can contract any of the uterine diseases, including pyometra and cancers. Breeding doesn't make a bit of difference. My best suggestion is to have your female spayed and then you'll never have to worry about it.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-and-a-half year old female Shih Tzu. About a month ago we had to put our five-year-old male Border Collie down, and since then our Shih Tzu, Malibu, has been acting weird. This isn't what is worrying me; what is bothering me is that she is withdrawn, and now I notice her nipples are leaking. Neither her nor my Border Collie were fixed. I was told that my 80 pound male could not impregnate my 15 pound bitch. Is that true, or should I worry that she is pregnant? Also, if she's not pregnant then what could it be? - Posted by: cldhartdicequeen@aol.com

Answer: Hi Kelly,

Where there's a will there's a way, although it would seem very difficult for your male to have bred with your bitch. Was you female in season about a month or so ago? She had to have been in heat to become pregnant. If she was, she may actually be pregnant, however she may not. Some bitches experience a false pregnancy after a heat cycle, and it seems like the real thing. Eventually the signs go away and the bitch returns to normal.

If you really want to know whether she could possibly be pregnant, I suggest you ask your vet to perform an ultrasound on her.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, my Shih Tzu dog had her cycle last December 2007 for at least one and a half weeks. I'm going out of the country and my friend will dog sit my doggy, but her dog is a male. My question: I'm afraid they'll do something, so can my doggy get pregnant? Thanks in advance! - Posted by: april_roxas@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi April,

The typical heat cycle lasts for three weeks. You may not have realized exactly when she started or finished.

When did you actually notice your dog was in season? If it was at the beginning of the month, she should be completely finished and no longer at risk of becoming pregnant. If she began at the very end of December, she might still be susceptible. In that case, the answer would really depend on how soon you plan on leaving.

Rest assured that if your dog is actually out of season, she cannot become pregnant. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a Schaunzer. This is the first time she has come into heat. Khole is two years old. I am worried because I have never seen that much blood from a dog. - Posted by: paul23now@aol.com

Answer: Hi Diana,

It is unusual that your dog is having her first heat cycle at two years old. Couple that with the type of bleeding your describing, and there could be a more serious problem going on.

I think that given the circumstances, you should have your vet examine her right away. This could be a burst cyst on her ovaries. And, yes, it could turn out to simply be a heat cycle, but considering her history, it would be better to find out for sure.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that all goes well. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I did not notice that my dog had gotten out. It seemed she had come off heat at least a week before. We heard her cry at the door and let her in. She was dripping liquid blood, acting very strangely, and struggling to pass urine. Could she have mated, and could she still become pregnant if the bleeding had stopped about a week before? - Posted by: laura.bodill@reallandscapes.co.za

Answer: Hi Laura,

How long was your bitch's season? The typical heat cycle lasts for three weeks, but there is very little blood discharge during the second/fertile week. Some dog owners mistake this for the end of the heat cycle, so this is why I'm asking.

Yes, your dog could have been bred, but that alone wouldn't make it difficult for her to urinate. I have also never seen a maiden bitch bleed to the extent you are discribing after the first mating.

All things considered, I really think you ought to take your bitch to the vet for an examination to make sure she didn't suffer some other type of trauma while she was out.

Best wishes that things turn out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have two one-year-old female English Setters that are littermates. One is in heat, but her sister is not. How long should I wait before having the second bitch checked by a vet? Thank you. - Posted by: sdelear@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Susan,

I wouldn't have her checked until your first bitch has had her second season and this bitch hasn't had her first. There can still be variation in cycles even between litter mates.

That said, one bitch in season does tend to bring others in, so keep a close on your second bitch. I currently have two young Jack Russell bitches. One is having her first season at nine months old, but her litter sister isn't really showing any signs herself. I too am watching for signs on the second bitch, although we don't intend to breed them and plan to have them spayed in the near future.

Thanks for your question, and don't be worried just yet. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Could purebred Lab pups have white on the chest and a small amount on a foot or two? I have a yellow lab that is almost white in color, and I am sure she was bred to a chocolate Lab. What are the chances of the pups having a bit of white on their chest and one or two feet. Thanks Jim - Posted by: sully6@vzw.blackberry.net

Answer: Hi Jim,

It's entirely possible for this to happen, although I believe breeders prefer to have solid-colored dogs with good pigment as a rule.

If you have any doubts about the puppies' parentage, you might consider having a Dog DNA Test performed on any suspect pups. This test should reveal the genetic breed makeup, and I do believe Labrador Retrievers are one of the breeds on the identifiable list.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-year-old female. On Christmas day, she was playing with my son's male dog that is not quite a year old. We were laughing because they were getting intimate, and she was laying down for him (he's smaller than her) The next week we noticed she was having bloody discharge and was in heat, she did this for over a week. She was also having a noticeable loss of appetite. Now this week (21 days since her encounter with the male) she is eating a lot more and no more discharge. Questions: Would it even be possible for the male to get her pregnant at his young age? Would she possibly have had bloody discharge at the end of her cycle, which could mean she was in mid cycle at the time of the encounter? Would she have been receptive to the male if she had not been in heat at that time? Her belly seems to be a little larger (not much), but enough that some family that had not seen her in a couple of weeks noticed it as soon as they saw her. I do not have any experience with dogs so I have no idea. I have been doing some reading on the web. I think it would be great if she had puppies but don't want to get myself psyched up if it is not a possibity with these circumstances. - Posted by: sroosa@localnet.com

Answer: Hi Natalie,

There's definitely a possibility that you not only have witnessed the breeding, but that your dog is also pregnant. The typical heat cycle lasts for about three weeks. The first week there is swelling and bloody discharge, the second week the discharge lightens up and the dog becomes receptive and fertile. The third week bleeding resumes and tapers off to finish.

I have a few articles I think you'll find helpful.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: At what age is a female Westie too old to breed? - Posted by: jonesy3@talktalk.net

Answer: Hi Bonny,

Personally I never breed any bitch past five years of age, and if she hasn't ever been bred before, I wouldn't start past five either.

As a bitch ages, her uterus begins to lose elasticity, so this is no longer the ideal environment for the pups, and it could cause complications during the pregnancy or the birth. Some people may tell you differently, but this is my own opinion based on 25 years of breeding dogs.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi there, I have a 36-month-old Bichon and set up a mating with a non proven stud. She was in heat, and by my calculations was at her most fertile on Tuesday past, but they met up on Sunday (two days before) and mated. This is my first time breeding a dog, and it all happened very quickly. They stayed tied for about ten minutes, and she was very restless during this, but he was calm. There was a bit of yelping from both during the tie as she moved around, and I tried to keep her calm. As the tie was broken, fluid came out almost like she had urinated. Is this normal? I then had them together everyday for another three days, but nothing happened between them. They had the odd mounting, but they didn't seem to be putting much effort in it. Is this strange, or could she have already been caught and lost intrest? Is once enough at that time during the cycle to get her pregnant? She was sick two days later but not since, and she is rather tired but not much else to show as yet (early days). I am driving myself crazy, wondering if they may have done enough. I will take her to the vet in three to four weeks time to check, but hoped you might tell me if all seems to have went according to plan so far. This is the second time I have put them together, and at her last break they did not get anywhere near mating. They just could not get the hang of it. Please help. From a nervous and excited dog mummy. Thanks Debbie - Posted by: debbiei@btinternet.com

Answer: Hi Debbie,

Well, it sounds as if a real breeding did take place, so right now you have a 50/50 chance of getting a litter. During the breeding, it's very important to keep the bitch still once the tie has occurred. Both dogs can be injured from the pulling, however, it doesn't sound as if there was a major problem.

The liquid you saw spill out was more likely to be excess semen than urine, but that doesn't mean there wasn't enough left inside to do the job. The good news is that the sperm live for several days after the breeding, so if your bitch wasn't quite releasing eggs on Sunday, fertilization still could have taken place in the following few days.

I still remember the first litter I ever bred, and I envy your excitement. I recommend you read the following articles. They are filled with information I think you'll find useful.

Best of luck, and be sure to let us know what your vet says. - posted by:Kelly

Question: How will I know when my bitch is ready to breed? She started spotting New Years Eve and we took her right away to the stud but she wasn't having anything to do with him so we brought her back home and tried again three days later and still nothing. Our bitch started spotting Dec 31, and today's date is Jan 7. Is it still too soon? - Posted by: mccall.michelle@comcast.net

Answer: Hi Michelle,

Yes, it really sounds like you took her very early. Most bitches aren't ready to breed until perhaps day ten or twelve. More than a certain number day, you're going to look for physical signs of her readiness.

I'd like you to read two of our articles on this topic:

I think these articles will tell you what you need to know, but don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions.

Thanks, and good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Thanks for the reply Kelly on the possibility of my German Shepherd being pregnant question! I just called my vet and he says that he can sterilize her on the 16th. of January. Im very confused and worried with this situation. Will it be cruel to go ahead and operate her? Thanks again for your help...Aida - Posted by: angel20602@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Aida,

I wouldn't worry too much. Spaying is a fairly routine procedure and I've had several bitches spayed myself. If she is pregnant, it is very early, so there shouldn't be any real complications. I think things should work out fine. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I will be going away at the end of February for two weeks, and my friend has volunteered to keep my three-year-old female Golden Retriever while we are gone. I am afraid she will go into heat at that time, and it is too much to ask a friend to deal with. My question is if there a medication or something to put off the heat cycle or bring it on now? I do not want to spay her. Thanks, Jane - Posted by: jane8704@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Jane,

Yes, there are products you can use to delay your bitch's season, but they are not easy to use with any great accuracy, and they can produce some concerning side effects. I recommend you read our article on Birth Control Pills for Dogs. If you're still interested in either of these medications, it would be a good next step to discuss them with your vet and get a professional opinion about their safety and efficacy.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your search. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I have an 18-month-old female German Shepherd. This is the fourth week after her heat, and since my male German Sheperd had no interest in her whatsoever, I let both of them loose. The problem is that my husband found them "tied" this morning. :( Is there a possibilty she could become pregnant? She goes into heat every four months, not the normal six months. - Posted by: angel20602@hotmail.com

Answer: Hi Aida,

Yes, there's a possibility your bitch could become pregnant as a result of this breeding. That said, some bitches that come in on a quarterly cycle are not fertile during every heat. So, right now you're looking at a 50/50 proposition.

I suggest you take your bitch in to the vet for an ultrasound around 21 days. This should tell you what's going on and what to expect.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: If I have a male and let him mate with a female and then the owner of the female the next day takes her female to another male how can I find out if they are my males puppies? The time line is right with when my male was over there.? - Posted by: jennisfrogs@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Jenny,

It would require a Dog DNA Test to sort out the litter, and you would need samples from your dog, the other stud and all the puppies. Unfortuantely, this could be a very expensive undertaking, but it is the only sure way to tell who belongs to who.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My Chihuahua NEVER pants. If she's tired or thirsty, she still doesn't pant. She just had babies, and now pants a lot. I tried to give her food, water, and I tried ice cubes, but she doesnt want any. She walks around normals and wags her tail and so on, but why is she panting? - Posted by: Summerlerette@aol.com

Answer: Hi Summer,

Some panting is normal in a post delivery situation, however, the fact that your dog is refusing food and water is not good, and it may indicate a fever and uterine infection.

It's very important that you take your bitch to the vet for an examination right away. Dehydration will set in quickly and you could wind up losing her and the pups.

Thank you for your question, and I hope everything turns out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I am trying to breed my 2 Aussies. The female is on her 13th day since she began a bloody discharge. The male has mounted twice but they have not tied. When he dismounts he is errect and drips what(I'm assuming) is semen. Is it possible that he did penetrate and that she could become pregnant? This is her first breeding, and she hasn't been overly receptive yet. She was standing still, he is the one that moved. Thanks for the help! - Posted by: pattilee70@verizon.net

Answer: Hi Patty,

Is this also the male's first breeding? It kind of sounds like he is inexperienced and is pulling out because he's frightened by the sensation of being trapped when they begin to tie.

Although a tie is always good to help ensure a breeding, it isn't truly necessary for fertilization to take place. This means that your bitch could become pregnant if any of the sperm was delivered inside the canal.

If your bitch is still receptive, you might want to enlist a second person to stay with your bitch at her head while you help your dog manage at the rear. You will want to make sure that he has truly entered her and is not just humping against her. Otherwise, the sperm is not getting where it needs to go.

Best of luck with the breeding, and let us know if things work out. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have been waiting for my chocolate Lab female to come into heat, and she finally has, but will not let the male near her. It is now the 13th day of her season, and we have tried every day since the 9th, but she refuses. What can I do? Is it too late to breed her now? Thanks. - Posted by: windsprintcathy@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Cathy,

No, it's not necessarily too late. Some bitches don't become fertile until as late as days 15-17, so continue to introduce the male to see if she accepts him.

On the other hand, her heat cycle may have been so light in the beginning that you may not be working with the correct start date. That would completely affect the timing.

I'd also like to ask how old your bitch is, and if she's ever been bred before. Some first time bitches can be quite skittish. The male's level of experience also comes into play.

Hopefully you'll be able to get your dogs together, but if not, there's always the next season. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi Mizzy, I accidentally deleted your question. Yes, two male dogs can father a single litter. Since a bitch releases a series of eggs during her heat cycle, the sperm from both males have an opportunity to fertilize the eggs. It's basically a race to see who gets there first. Thanks for your question. ~~ Kelly - Posted by: keybuzz@aol.com

Answer: >

Hope that you found this answer, even with the mix up. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a white female pit bull terrier that bred to a silver male with blue eyes. About six days after their mateing our neighbor let his dog in our yard(supposedly an accident). His dog is a mutt black merle colored with black eyes. Could the silver male possibly carry merle because of the blue eyes? My female delivered two red merle females and a chocolate and white male, sixty two days from the day she was bred to the silver male. Is there a DNA test we can have done and how much is the average cost? Could they be puppies from the neighbors dog with the six day spread? - Posted by: vmsingleton76@peoplepc.com

Answer: Hi Virginia,

Yes, there is a Dog DNA Test you can use to determine which dogs the puppies belong to. The downside is that you will need to enough tests for each of the pups, as well as both males involved. You will also need your neighbor's permission to test his male. This will be expensive, but it's the only way to be sure which pup belongs to which dad. And yes, a litter can have multiple sires.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things turn out the way you want them too. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I took my Jack Russell bitch to be mated five weeks ago, but as far as I was concerned, the mating did not work. It has been five weeks, and her nipples have grown and turned really pink. She is not eating properly, and I noticed jelly-like discharge from her backside. Do you think she could be pregnant or just having a phantom pregnancy? Is a phantom common after a mating failed? Also, the dogs did not tie, but could it be possible that she's pregnant anyway? Pleasese help! Thanks~~ Paula - Posted by: paulamercer@yahoo.co.uk

Answer: Hi Paula,

It's always nice to get a tie, but it's not essential to ensure a mating results in a litter. That said, there's a 50/50 chance that your dog really is pregnant.

I suggest you take your dog to the vet for an ultrasound. This will reveal any pups if present, and then you'll know exactly what your dealing with. Your vet can also examine the mucous discharge, because while it may not be cause for real concern, there's also a chance it could be related to an infection caused by the breeding. It would be good to know, one way or the other.

Best of luck! - posted by:Kelly