It is very important for a Petowner to understand the life cycle of their beloved pet like handling puppies, food management, grooming, breeding, to understand their emotions etc. Once you own a pet it becomes part and parcel of your life. The bondage becomes so strong that you forget that it is an animal.
Breeding management is one of the most important part of their life cycle. It would be best to start understanding the dog breeding at puberty. Puberty is the age at which a female dog comes into heat and when a male dog’s testicles start producing spermotozoa. This time varies anywhere from 6 months of age to 2 years with the average being around 8 months. The onset of puberty is usually determined by age, size and breed with smaller breeds generally reaching puberty earlier.
Breeding should not be undertaken too early. Males should be atleast 12 - 14 months old and females should not breed until their second or their heat cycle. The optimal age to breed a female dog is 3 - 6 years of age.
Following is a description of how the female dog’s estrus cycle works:
Anestrus : This is a period where no reproductive activity takes place. It usually lasts for approx. 4 - 5 months.
Proestrus : At this phase, the female ovaries produce more estrogen and there is a gradual sweeling of the vulva. You will often notice vaginal bleeding for a period of 9 - 14 days. During this period, female dogs will not accept for mate.
Estrus : During this period, the vaginal bleeding subsides and female dog becomes receptive to mate. At this point, there is ovulation of unfertilized eggs. Estrus usually lasts for 9 - 14 days. The approx. Time of mating is first three days after estrus.
Metestrus : During this period, female dogs will refuse attempts at mating. Either uterine repair or a period of pregnancy happens here. Pregnancy/Gestation period is 60 + 2 days.
TIPS OF BREEDERS : The goal of any breeding program should be to the continual improvement of the breed. Breeders have an ethical responsibility to do everything they can do to ensure that future progecy are free from both physical and performance disorders.
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