How to Know When To Breed Your Dog

The normal canine heat cycle occurs every 6 months but even if you know when your dog is or will be in season, how do you know when to arrange for the visit from the male you wish to breed her to? It's not as difficult as you may think.... usually...

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Soft cotton cloth
• Calendar

1. First and foremost, be sure that your female is both physically and mentally mature enough to be bred. Just being in heat is NOT enough to warrant a breeding. A general rule of thumb is 2nd heat or 15 months but this can vary by breed or individual. I suggest you consult with other reputable breeders of your breed and/or your veterinarian.
2. First, your female will likely show signs of being swollen in the vulva. Most females have their first heat cycles at around 9 months of age but can be as early as 6 months. Watch for this and mark your calendar. This will help, but not guarantee, you a good heads up for next time. Mark the first day of swelling as day 1. First day of red blood will work if you don't know this date.
3. Once swelling has begun, begin swabbing your females vulva once or twice daily with a clean, soft cotton rag. A paper towel will do and is disposable but it's nicer if it's dampened with warm water first.
   Don't be shy. - you may need to insert the top 1/4 of your finger or so to get to any discharge.
4. If the blood is red, she's just started.
   Most females will average 11 days before they are ready to breed after this sign but every female varies. Some are quicker, some muuuuucccchhhhh later...
5. Keep monitoring the color of the blood/discharge daily. Once this becomes a straw color, she is ready.
   About this time, you should also start seeing other signs such as flagging (putting tail up and pushing her furry bum towards anyone/anything she thinks may be able to help her out.) She will likely act more flirtatious and silly. Other females may treat her coldly due to the wolf mentality of only alpha females being allowed to have pups. Many females will also appear to be urinating more often but usually this is just them trying to mark their trail for a willing mate to find them by.
6. When you introduce the male to your female, be sure he and the female have a current brucellosis test (dog version of STD) and you MONITOR the breeding. It's advisable to leash both dogs and have a human handler for each. Do not allow any other dogs, pets or small children to the area to avoid stress or injury to all involved.

Tips & Warnings

• Some females have 'silent' heats. Sorry to those of you out there with this issue. Best to have a leashed male to test her with in this case. If you breed too late in the heat cycle after she's ready for a mate, you will get very small litters as a norm so if your serious, you will just need to be more studious of your female. Know her normal behaviors with and without other dogs present inside and out and you should be able to pick up on even the most silent of heat cycles.