Peculiarities of dog mating

Mating dogs is a highly responsible matter. A breeder must decide whether to breed during the puppy selection process. Not all males and females are suitable for mating. Only following all recommendations will ensure a healthy litter.

 

Age for mating

Male dogs are considered sexually mature between the ages of 9 months and 1 year and 2 months. It is during this period that dogs begin to mark their bodies. Many male dogs exhibit sexual behavior as early as six months. However, they are unable to impregnate a female dog this early due to the low sperm count in their semen.

Sperm quality reaches sufficient levels only when a dog is 15-18 months old. This age is perfectly suitable for a full mating. A male dog can be mated with a female dog until his death.

Females don't reach sexual maturity until their third heat. The first heat occurs between 6 and 9 months of age. The third heat occurs at 20 months of age. The ideal time for mating a female dog is between 11 and 15 days after the onset of heat.
It's best to breed both male and female dogs for the first time at around two years of age. By this time, the animals will have fully reached sexual maturity and are fully developed. Early sexual activity can only cause harm.

Matchmaking

Owners of female dogs are most often concerned with finding a mate. Male dog owners are generally less inclined to carefully select their mates.

Before selecting a potential sire, the female's owners must decide on the purpose of the upcoming mating. If reproduction is the only goal, then the male can be selected from among ordinary dogs. However, if the goal is to participate in breeding, then a renowned champion with a pedigree will have to be sought. So how do you find a purebred male?

You should consult with a breeder at the club you belong to. They will help you choose the most suitable option. When choosing a stud, be sure to consider its location and the density of the region. Cynologists try to breed dogs from different regions.

It's also worth periodically attending specialized dog shows and networking with other dog owners. However, don't assume that a ring winner is a quality breeding stock. When deciding to breed a dog, it's important to review its pedigree. The document must be issued by a canine organization. If the pedigree was issued in a foreign country, it must bear the FCI emblem.

Preparation for knitting

On the day of the dog meeting, every detail matters. Avoid giving the "bride and groom" any food. If the mating is scheduled for the evening, the animal can be fed, but the food should be very light. Also, avoid taking the dog for walks that day. Taking it outside is only appropriate for urination.

Before mating, the female dog must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate around the genital area and tail. The female dog must also be treated with deworming medication a few days before the expected mating.
When mating large-breed dogs, it's important to have a muzzle, leash, and leather collar ready. This will help protect the owners from injury if they have to assist the animals in mating.

Choosing a place for a "meeting"

Mating should take place in the male's territory. The dog should feel confident and calm. However, mating in the female's territory is also permitted if other options are unavoidable. It is important to let the male explore the new territory. He should sniff every corner and calm down.

As a place for matings For large dogs, a fenced-in area is suitable. If the dogs are smaller, meeting them in an apartment is also possible. It's recommended to place a floor mat beforehand to prevent the animals from slipping and injuring themselves.

Meeting and mating

To ensure a quick and smooth mating, the dogs must be properly introduced. The guest is allowed into the prepared area first. After 10 minutes, the second dog can be brought in. If this is the male's first mating, the owner should lead him to the female, holding him by the collar, and indicate the direction in which to move. If the animal becomes overexcited and cannot mount properly, it should be taken to another room for a while to calm down.

Before mounting, the male should lick the female's collar and ears. This increases the female's chances of acceptance. The female may be intimidated by an overly aggressive male, tuck her tail, and display an aggressive demeanor. This indicates the female is not ready for mating, and it's best to stop the process.

Immediately after ejaculation, mating begins. If the female tries to escape, she should be restrained briefly, but not so as to frighten the dogs. If mating does not occur, the dogs will need to be mated again. This can be done a day or two after the first mating.

Once the dogs have mated and lost interest in each other, they should be separated into separate rooms and allowed to rest. If, despite all the preparation, the dogs are reluctant to mate, don't force them. It's quite possible the male and female simply don't like each other. This happens. In this situation, it's worth considering finding a new "mate" for your pet.

Read also:

• Basic rules and features of dog mating
• Why do dogs stick together when mating?
• On what day of heat can a dog be bred?