The Mating

A bitch should never be bred from before her 2nd birthday. After her 2nd birthday she should be mature enough physically and mentally to cope with the rigours of motherhood.

Her season will last 21 days. Before the heat starts, her outward genitals will start showing puffiness. This warns the breeder that her season is close.

He should gently wipe her vagina with a clean white tissue each day. The start of the season is when there is a pinkish, clear discharge, which quickly turns red. Usually when a bitch drips blood, it is already past her first day of heat. Be very careful with the bitch in season. Under no circumstances must she be allowed to be outside alone, even in the relative security of the yard, the possibility that a roving Romeo might get to her is always present. She must sleep inside the house, and only be allowed outside under supervision.

DO NOT medicate her during her seasons where she will not be mated, to ensure that she does not conceive! These medications interfere with the long-term fertility of the bitch. Isolate her and take all precautions to ensure her safety. In order to clearly ascertain when she is fertile, it is necessary to take her to the vet’s from about her 9^th day. This is why it is so important to make sure exactly when her 1^st day of season was. The vet will do a vaginal smear and study the cells present under a microscope. It is necessary for the vet to do a series of consecutive smears and studies in order to compare the cells present, so as to be sure when ovulation is near.

Usually a bitch will be fertile for a couple of days from her 12^th day onwards, but not always! I have known bitches to be fertile on their 8^th day, and also other bitches to be fertile on their 18^th day, but these are the exceptions, not the norm. This is why it is so important to have your vet’s knowledgeable help and advice. Remember that the intense red colour of the discharge usually fades to light pink and then a straw-colour when ovulation draws near, however, this is not always so, as I’ve seen bitches discharge red until nearly the end of the season.

The bitch travels to the dog for the mating. She may have a light meal late in the morning before the mating. The mating should take place in the late afternoon or early evening. The dog may have a small meal early in the morning, but should actually fast all day until after the mating.

Where the dog and bitch are living on the same premises, they should be separated until she is fertile, but should be able to smell and see each other. The dog should only be allowed to run with her for the period (3-5 days) when she is fertile, otherwise he will get too tired from chasing her all day to no avail!

Upon arrival at the stud dog’s premises, let her run and explore the area where the mating is to take place. Offer her some water. Ensure both the dog and bitch are securely collared and leashed before introducing them. Let them sniff and get to know each other. The stud will try his best to impress her with his beauty and try to convince her of his suitability as a mate. She might snap at him and let him know in no uncertain terms that she’s NOT an easy girl… If there’s no real aggression, they may be let loose (still wearing collars) to play and execute pre-mating behaviour (foreplay!). If you’re lucky, after a few attempts, he will mount her, she will stand still for him, he will attempt to penetrate, but will usually only succeed after a while. They will "tie" and the dog will need to be turned and then they will stand back to back for the duration of the tie.The bitch is usually held and some stud dog owners insist on the bitch being muzzled to make it easier for the male to penetrate and ensure he does not injure himself or her and she doesn't bite the dog.

If there is an unusual amount of prolonged aggression on the side of the bitch, something is wrong, she may not be ready yet, and under no circumstances should the mating be forced.Usually two or even three matings, spread over a period of 2 to 4 days, is done. Under no circumstances should the covered bitch be taken to a show or any area where a lot of dogs are present, to minimise the risk of infection to her.

The intensity of the season usually wanes after the 16^th day, however, she will still be attractive to males until her 21^st day, and the end of the season.