Females will usually come into heat every 6 months.

Some breeders will breed second heat, some breeders
will not breed until the female is 24 months of age

Regardless of what age a female is bred
they can only be bred when they are in "heat".

Prior to breeding, as soon as a breeder sees blood discharge
they may decide to place their female on an antibiotic such as
Aventi-Clave 6.25mg, BID x 7-10 days, to make sure she does not have any infection
depending on her previous breeding history.

Heat is when a female is bleeding and soon to be receptive to a male's attentions.

Standing Heat is when bleeding stops and a female will flag
and will let a male mount her.

Flagging is when the female will lift her rear and put her tail
to the side if you touch her rear or if a male sniffs her.

Standing heat usually occures 10 days after you see initial bleeding
and will last up to 16 days after initial bleeding is seen.



We have a microscope and are able to view semen quality prior to insemination
if no natural breeding takes place.
A natural breeding is preferable to me.
I generally get 1-1.5cc semen to insert.

• When a Breeding takes place you will generally know
  the male has made entry, when he is breeding and lifts his rear leg.
  
  
• The Male remains joined inside female,
  as his bulbous glandis swells inside the female
  locking them together for a few seconds to hours.
  
  
• The male will try to lift his back leg over
  the female so he is more comfortable, rear to rear.
  
  
• After they seperate, they can tie again right after or several times a day.
  However sperm count will be less the more time he breeds within a few hours.
  Most breeders will seperate them for 12-24 hours to let sperm build up and male to rest.
  
  
• Within a few days, the sperm reaches the eggs and fertilization occurs.
  
  
• Breeder's know she will give birth around 60-65 days after initial breeding
  Lovemypups Progesterone Testing Video
  www.targetvet.com - blood testing using dye.
  Progesterone needs to be 15ng/ml - 18(nanograms per ml) for Finecare Machine to AI
  Do first Progesterone test Day 6 bleeding the level should be 1 or 2ng/ml
  Test every other day.
  looking for a LH surge, a rise in number, almost doubling means you are in ovulation
  (will go up one point per day approx)
  
  AI on progesterone number "12" until number "18-20" on progesterone
  
  Instructions on Blood taking for Progesterone
  22 gauge (21-23 gauge ok, insuline needle too small to pull blood)
  1cc needle, .5cc is enough blood to do test
  Using Finecare
  Breeding Supplies
  Puppybox4u.com
  DUE TO WHELP Reverse progesterone test for C-section = -2.5 ng/ml - safe for C-section
  Finecare progesterone for C-section, walk through on machine
  Temperature drop below 98.9
  
  

Fetus @ 2 weeks of age

• The fertilized eggs make their way to the uterus for implantation.
• You may notice behavioral changes in your dog.
  She may become moody or more affectionate.
  
  
• Most of my females will get morning sickness
  and may have some discharge, which is all normal.
  
  
• I advise people to take weekly photos of their
  females side ways and up on their hind legs
  as in my photos, so that you can see
  the growth and know things are progressing.
  
  
• Hairy dogs could have their belly's shaved down, or photos taken when momma is
  being bathed and is soapy enough for the coat to stick tight to the body to show baby belly.
  

Fetus @ 3 weeks of age
National Geographic Video of a puppy in the womb

Implantation has taken place and the embryos begin to develop.

My female may begin to display mood swings,
appetite changes and breast tissue development.


Day 30
Image of the uterine horns at 30 days gestation with 10 embryos
Complete ossification of the jaw and skull. Size of the embryo is about 2 - 3cm
*More on Canine ultrasound

• 
  Fetus @ 4 weeks of age
  National Geographic Video of a puppy in the womb
  
  
  Ultrasound of fetuses @ 4 weeks of age
  
  Fetuses can be felt (Palpation) by Vet in the uterine horns
  around day 28, and can also be seen by ultrasound.
  Because we know our mother's so well, it is easy for us
  to know when our mom's are pregnant. Therefore we do not
  subject them to any stress of going to the Vet's office
  for confirmation by ultrasound.
  
  
• The spinal cords are developing, and the fetuses
  are beginning to grow facial features.
  
  
• Your bitch's uterus will shortly fill with fluids
  to protect the fetuses. After this, it will be weeks
  until the puppies can be "felt" again.
  
  
• After day 30 in the fetus, unborn pups form eyeballs
  and vision similar to a color-blind human, who can't discern red, yellow or green.
  
  
• Scientists believe that dogs' color blindness adapted
  from their earliest ancestors who needed to compete
  for prey against other animals during night time.
  More Information about Pregnancy
  
  
• Your dog's appetite will likely increase, so offer her more of her food.
  

• 
  
  The fetuses develop their sex organs and begin
  to look like actual puppies. The leg buds lengthen and develop toes.
  
  
• Your dog's belly will begin to look
  noticeably swollen as the pups take up more space.
  
  
• With less room for full meals, it's time
  to begin serving smaller meals more frequently.
  
  

Fetus @ 6 weeks of age

Pups continue to grow and pigmentation develops.
The eyes now have lids and remain sealed
until approximately ten days after birth.

Your dog is noticeably more uncomfortable at this point. She may vomit occasionally due to the extra pressure against her stomach.

You may also notice clear fluid discharge from her vulva. This is normal.

• 
  (*Click to enlarge photo of my Standard Poodle "Glory" who had 12 pups inside !)
  
  Xray of Fetuses @ 7.5 weeks of age
  
  Puppies are well-developed, and now begin attaining size in preparation for birth.
  
• You may be able to see/feel the puppies' movements in your bitch's abdomen.
  
• Her breasts are well developed and probably contain a bit of colostrum or "first milk".
  
• Your dog is noticeably tired and may begin search for a place to whelp.
  Time to set up a whelping box and keep her confined in there for short periods of time
  to get her used to this is her place to have puppies.
  I do NOT routinely do an Xray. Only if I have concerns.
  

• 
  Fetus @ 8 weeks of age
  The pups have fur and are now crowded in the uterus.
  You may notice a lot of activity as they get into position for the coming birth.
  
• Your bitch may begin digging the bedding in the whelping box. This is natural nesting behaviour.
  Video of Mom Nesting
  
  Mom can have an ultrasound, to ensure pups have a heart beat
  Fetal Heart Rates can be variable but should remain above 200.
  Ultra Sound detection of fetal HR below 180 is indicative of fetal distress,
  is often accompanied by fetal bowel movements, and can be the basis
  of elective intervention in near-term bitches.
  Ultra sound can also reveal fetal overgrowth or growth retardation
  and other abnormalities including hydrocephalus, fetal anasarca
  herniation of the ventral abdominal wall. Such cases can then benefit form intervention.
  
  Mom's usually start shivering, panting and looking for a place to whelp
  12 hours prior to puppy being born
  
  61 days from proper AI date, window for bitch to be C-sectioned.
  Video on When to C-Section
  Temperature Drop below 98.9 Bitch is due !
  Reverse progesterone test for C-section = -2.5 ng/ml - safe for C-section
  Finecare progesterone for C-section, walk through on machine
  Progesterone less than 2 ,
  you are 2 days away from whelp and pups be OK to C-Section.
  5 days prior to due date start taking Temperature 2x a day same time each day.
  When temperature drops below 98.9 Mom is due to have pups 24 hours should have pups.
  Also document if went well what progesterone level you AI'd at and whelped at.
  
  
  My girl "nesting" getting ready.
  
  

• 
  Yuna having her contractions.
  
  
  
  Yuna's first born puppy
  
  
  
  I did buy this to have on hand. NOT a necessary expense for sure.
  I usually use a bin with heating pad and cover the pups. And this method
  has always worked well for me for YEARS.
  HOWEVER, I have used this with a puppy that was a bit "gaspy" breathing
  and I put all pups in there as they were being born
  and I have to admit the puppy came around a LOT faster and better
  with the 02 and heat in the incubator, than they do with just a bin with heating pad.
  My Vet told me and I do believe from experience, Pups can be up to 4 hours without nursing and be fine.
  Priority is to get pups WARM. I have had mom be 2-3 hours between delivering a puppy without any anxiety.
  
  
  Yuna all done delivering and is now nursing her pups,
  after her and her whelping box are all cleaned up
  The pups inside and are ready for birth, and may be quite still
  as they rest in preparation for the marathon to come.
• Your dog may appear uncomfortable and restless or anxious.
  
  Temperature Chart
  
  
  
  
  Finally the pups are clean, dry, warm and enjoying their first taste of mother's milk.
  Should puppies need nursing or tube feeding, they should receive
  1 ml milk for 1oz weight. So a 6 oz puppy would get 6 mls every 3 hours.
  
  Puppys will be nursing for the next 4-6 weeks.
  After this I wean them onto fresh RAW Goats milk from a farmer and RAW
  fine ground MIXED with proper ratio of meat, organ and bone,
  adding more meat to the mix, making more solid, less milk, as they mature and are able to eat.
  
  
  Yuna and her newborn pups