Dog Breeding Cycle

Understanding the Dog Breeding Cycle is Vital to Be a Professional Dog Breeder

The dog breeding cycle is one of the most critical pieces of information every dog breeder has to know.

Female dogs enter the period of “heat” twice a year and some large breeds only once each year, sometimes even before they are one-year old. If you have a female dog that you want for breeding, it is advisable that you let her grow first and allow her to reach a good age for breeding.

When a female dog is not ready to give birth yet, you can put her and the puppies at risk, and you may need extra care during this phase - which is supposed to be natural. There are dogs that require up to two years for breeding.


When is The Female Dog Ready to Breed?

Once the female dog has reached a safe age to give birth, you will have to wait until the 10-12 day of the heat period for the male to breed her. You will notice the female is ready when there is vaginal bleeding and swelling in the genital area. It is important to keep records, as every dog is different.

One of the obvious signs the female has reached the peak of the dog breeding cycle, is when she puts her tail off to one side, and stand back into the male.

The cycle ends up with whelping. You should talk with a veterinarian first, as some breeds like Pugs, Chihuahuas and others require medical assistance. Most veterinarians will give you a detailed guide on how to go through all the dog breeding cycle, and will offer to assist you when the crucial time comes. If you have never done this before, that would be an excellent choice.

If you want to learn more about dog breeding, feel free to check out or other related articles.

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