Dog mating: rules and tips

Owners who plan to have offspring from their dog for the first time have many questions. The answers to the most important of them are collected in this material.

Required documents

In order to qualify for pedigrees for puppies and the support of the cynological society, it is necessary to formalize the mating officially, in compliance with all bureaucratic procedures. To begin with, make sure that your dog can be admitted to breeding work according to the rules of the organization in which it is registered. The Russian Cynological Federation (RKF), the largest in our country, has the following requirements for admission to breeding:

• the pedigrees of the male and female must be recognized by the federation;
• both dogs have two marks for conformation not lower than “very good” at certificate shows received from two different judges, and two allowable marks from RKF pedigree shows from two different judges;
• the age of the bitch is from 18–22 months (depending on the breed) to 8 years at the time of mating;
• the interval between births is at least 300 days.

Documents for mating will be needed only upon activation – inspection of the litter by a federation specialist, but all papers should be prepared before mating. The package includes:

• act of mating dogs, approved by the RKF (blank form can be downloaded here);
• copies of the pedigrees of the male and female;
• originals of exhibition diplomas or championship certificates for males and females;
• copies of the owners’ passports;
• for the owner of the nursery – a copy of the certificate of registration.

Preparation for knitting

As a rule, estrus in dogs passes twice a year – in spring and autumn. The first option is preferable for mating, especially if the animal lives in an aviary. Puppies are born in the summer, and in the first months of life they receive a lot of heat and sunlight, thanks to which they grow up stronger and healthier.

Having chosen the season for mating, a month before the expected start of estrus, the male and female are brought to an appointment with a veterinary specialist. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor assesses the condition of the dogs and, if necessary, prescribes treatment, diet, and a set of physical exercises.

Not later than 1,5-2 weeks before the onset of estrus, future parents are treated for helminths and external parasites. At the same time, a scheduled vaccination is carried out if its time is approaching.

When the dog is ready to breed

Estrus has four phases and begins with proestrus, the period of follicle growth. You can recognize its beginning by bloody vaginal discharge, as well as by constant licking of the perineum. The bitch is already attracting males, but so far she is not letting her in. Proestrus lasts an average of 9-12 days, after which estrus occurs under the influence of the hormone estrogen.

In this phase, the discharge brightens, becoming pink or yellowish. Estrogen gives way to progesterone, and ovulation occurs – the release of eggs from the follicles. Now the bitch is completely ready for mating. Estrus can last up to 9-12 days, but the first 3 days are considered the best for mating.

After a few days, re-knitting is often practiced. This allows more eggs to meet with sperm, which means more puppies in the litter. Studies have shown that after the first mating, 34% of females remain infertile, and with each subsequent attempt, the percentage decreases.

Knitting technique

It is better to mate on the territory of the dog, where he feels calm and confident. The optimal time of day is the hours after the morning walk. Feeding pets before mating is undesirable.

As a rule, it is not required to help animals with mating. When they are released, the male immediately begins to care for the bitch. Soon she turns her back and moves her tail to one side, allowing her to jump on herself. After mating, the couple remains crossed for some time (sometimes up to an hour) – these are the features of canine physiology. In no case should you try to separate the male and female: this is guaranteed to lead to injuries to their genitals.

Sometimes a young inexperienced bitch can show aggression towards a male and even hurt him. In this case, you must have a muzzle with you. If, even after putting on the muzzle, the bitch categorically rejects the gentleman, the help of the owners will be required. The owner of the bitch should hold her by the neck, and the owner of the dog should hold her by the stomach, making it difficult to sit down. It is forbidden to force a dog in any way: this can greatly frighten him.

What the owner needs to know

The widespread information that every bitch is healthy to whelp at least once is nothing more than a myth. On the contrary, mating, pregnancy and childbirth can lead to a number of complications. Also, don’t forget about sexually transmitted diseases. 

If you do not want to breed, then it is much more beneficial for the animal to sterilize it. This will not only save him from health problems, but also improve the quality of life, increase its duration.