Guide to Dog Breeding
written by: Nickkipro Dog breeding should not just be taken as a casual undertaking. There are decisions and preparations that need to be put into consideration before you start raising puppies. The main reason that you need to consider is the reason why you came up with the idea of breeding dogs. Most people will think of money as the main reason but this is not the road to riches. This is because of various reasons. First it is important to work with dogs like cattle work, hunting, police dogs or guard dogs. If you work with dogs, you will probably understand the criteria for proper breed selection. Secondly, people raise dogs so as to show them. They do this in order to obtain quality breeds from a bloodline.
It is essential to choose the best stud and dam and decide whether they have the qualities that you desire from their off-springs. In deciding this, you need to check their genetic background. Here you need to examine their bloodline to ensure they are genetically fit. In case you need pure breed dogs, one can obtain them from AKC or from any other registering agency. For those who need mixed breeds you will get them from the dam and stud that birthed them. This will guide you in determining whether the puppies that they will yield with their mating partners will have the qualities that you desire. Inbreeding can be avoided by ensuring that the pair is not related directly. Looking at their physical characteristics closely will help you know the physical attributes of the breed that you need. Temperament is another factor to consider. This is quality that is passed from stud and dam to puppies. It is a common thing to the breeds with aggressive nature such as Rotweilers and Doberman Pinschers.
One should properly determine the dog’s breeding age. Dams do commence estrus cycle or between six and nine months and will come in heat after every six months. It is important not to breed a dam till she is two years old when she becomes mature enough to deliver pups. Do not work in isolation instead you should get evaluation from a knowledgeable person or a veteran who will check your dog’s health frequently. There may be other signs that are not desirable in your dog and the veteran will guide you on what is to be done. Your dam should be checked for infections or parasites and have regular vaccination. It is very vital not to give vaccinations after confirming that she has been bred as this will affect the pups that are about to be born and is likely to result to defects in giving birth.
The dam is likely to get to heat three days before she can breed. A stud in a nearby pen will sense this and you will have to wait for nine days when you can let in the stud into the pen. You can leave them to mate for one or two days after which you can remove the stud from the pen. Keep your dam healthy by giving her vitamins and balanced diet. Fertilization takes place after three days from the day of breeding and gestation takes 63 days. If the dam’s nipples turns pink and enlarges, it is a sign that she is carrying pups. In the last three weeks of the pregnancy, you need to give the dam extra food. Also prepare a whelping box and place sheeting layers. On the day of delivering, be alert in case of any birth problem.
The pups need to be kept warm and ensure that they can nurse. Remember to record the date of birth, the number of pups and each sex. The whelping box needs regular cleaning. Synthetic material is preferable for the bedding as it allows wastes to pass through. Ensure the bitch provides enough milk for the pups and that they are clean and warm. After six weeks, you can take the pups to the vet who will vaccinate and worm and check for any other attention.
