How To Breed DogsA Dog Breeding Presentation.

1. Outline Your Dog Breeding Program

A dog breeding program is here to precise your short, mid and long-term goals.

Start with two columns:

1. What I want my dogs to have — abilities to perform a job, specific looks

2. What I don't want my dogs to have — inherited medical conditions, subjective defects

Ask show judges, popular breeders, online communities and mentors about what’s best for the breed’s future. And include it in your dog breeding program.

Keep reviewing your results and never hesitate to change direction if required.

2. Canine Genetics & Heredity

We aren't scientists — we are dog breeders. But there’s knowledge you must comprehend in order to consistently and successfully breed quality dogs.

● Cells, DNA, Chromosomes & Genes● Genetic Expression● Gene Pool● Dominant & Recessive Genes● Genetic & Environmental Influences

Don’t even think about breeding dogs until you master these genetic concepts.

3. Breeding Styles & Strategies

There is no absolute best way of breeding, but there are breeding styles that are more suitable at a certain time for that specific goal you have for your bloodline.

● Outcrossing — introduces new characteristics using external blood● Linebreeding — passes on specific traits on a continuous basis● Inbreeding — sets characteristics in stone by increasing homozygosity● Grading up — gradually improves your dogs using external blood● Outbreeding — used to breed hybrid dogs and crosses (Labradoodle…)

All of them have their upsides and downsides. Dog breeding is about juggling between these various styles and knowing when to change direction.

4. Partner Selection & Pedigree Analysis

A reputable dog breeder never breeds two dogs because of intuition. Instead, it is a long period filled with studies of dozens of bloodlines.

Pedigree analysis means the thorough research of the ancestors of a given dog in order to establish their weaknesses and strengths; to establish whether or not we spot a pattern or repetition of desirable characteristics.

By seeing wanted traits appearing over and over again in the previous generations of a dog, you increase the chances of this dog passing on these traits to your next litter of puppies.

5. Dog Heat Cycle & Mating

You must understand these perfectly (and it's not rocket science!) There are four phases forming a cycle that repeats itself throughout a female dog's life:

1. The Proestrus Stage (9 to 11 days) — start of the heat/season2. The Oestrus Stage (9 to 11 days) — eggs are released from ovaries (mating!)3. The Diestrus Stage (58 to 63 days) — pregnancy, if the mating is successful4. The Anestrus Stage (4 to 5 months) — the quiescence and recovery period

The mating itself, called tie or coitus, is a little odd to watch. Once the stud has penetrated the female, he will often turn his back around. It looks painful and scary, but please let Mother Nature handle the situation.

6. Pregnancy, Labour & Delivery

Dog pregnancy lasts 9 weeks or 63 days on average from the day of ovulation.

Signs of labour can vary from bitch to bitch but she will usually be restless, isolated and get off her food the the last hours. The drop in her rectal temperature will confirm that the labour is on its way.

A normal labour has three stages:

1. The Bitch’s Body Prepares For Delivery2. The Delivery Of The Puppies3. The Passage Of The Placenta

7. Rearing of the Newborn Puppies

For the first three weeks the mother and the pups are one unit. The mother ends up doing everything for her litter; keeping them warm, feeding them, stimulating them so they can defecate and even cleaning their excrements.

Focus points include the mother’s nutrition (she needs more!), the whelping box (warm and away from cold air streams) and logging each pup’s weight.

From the third week, puppies should start to accept solid foods that are moist and fine-textured. From the fifth week, they should be completely weaned.

Dog breeding is an Art.

Are you an Artist?

LEARN MORE ON

THE #1 DOG BREEDING ONLINE MAGAZINE