How Can I Breed My Female English Bulldog?
Making the choice to breed your female English bulldog is a decision that will require a significant amount of time, risk, money and research. Due to the size and shape of English bulldogs, there are numerous factors to consider. Improper breeding, pregnancy care and delivery can result in death of both puppies and the mother. If you plan to breed your bulldog, it is best to consult professionals.
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Instructions
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Wait until your bulldog is at least 18 months of age before considering breeding her. Breeding a bulldog too early can increase the potential for pregnancy complications and lower the chances of the puppies being healthy.
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Bring your dog to the veterinarian to determine whether or not your bulldog is ready to breed. The vet will be able to run a series of tests to confirm whether your dog is healthy and mature enough to successfully have a litter of puppies. The vet will also be able to inform you on the potential complications that may occur.
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Choose the source of the donor semen. English bulldogs are often artificially inseminated. The varying length in legs, broad chests and large heads of the breed don't make natural mating easy. Your vet will be able to tell you the most successful way to breed your specific bulldog. In order to avoid passing on potential health problems and genetic defects, you must make sure that the donor is healthy. A medical history on the potential donor is necessary to ensure that you are not increasing the risk of congenital problems being passed on to the puppies. Semen can be collected fresh from a local donor or frozen from donor who lives a significant distance away.
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Monitor the development of the puppies during the pregnancy. Complications can occur during the pregnancy that result in a loss of the puppies and, in a worse case scenario, the loss of the mother. The second half of the pregnancy is a crucial time for frequent monitoring. Serious complications may result in a need to terminate the pregnancy.
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Prepare for the arrival of the puppies. Your vet will be able to inform you about what you will need once the puppies are born. A large percentage of bulldog puppies are delivered via a Cesarean section because bulldog puppy's heads are often too large to fit through the birth canal. Your vet will be able to tell you what to expect.
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Tips & Warnings
There are numerous books available that can give you further information on English bulldogs. Information such as the breed standard, common health concerns, puppy care and dietary issues are available at your local library or in the pet care section of most book stores. More information can also be found at the American Kennel Club Homepage. A link is provided in the Resources section.
Do not attempt to breed your bulldog without consulting a licensed veterinarian or an established registered breeder.
Never breed bulldogs that share a bloodline. If the recent family history of your female can be traced back to a common ancestor of your potential male donor, it can greatly increase the chances of the puppies being born with congenital defects, even if both the male and female are healthy.
Due to the build of the average bulldog, extreme care must be taken after the puppies are born. The puppies can be easily stepped on or crushed by the mother during their first few weeks of their life.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bulldog image by Benjamin Huseman from Fotolia.com
