Canine Reproduction

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Canine Reproduction
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Reproduction

• Animals for breeding should be excellent
  representatives of their breed
• Decision to breed should not be made without a
  specific goal in mind

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Myths and Considerations Regarding Breeding of
Dogs and Cats

• People breed dogs and cats for many reasons
• Decision to bring new life into the world should
  be made following serious consideration
• Being a responsible breeder requires deliberate
  thought and effort

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Myths and Considerations Regarding Breeding of
Dogs and Cats

• Many myths and "faulty" reasons
• Breeding dogs/cats is a good way to make money
• My children should see the miracle of birth
• My dog/cat is really great, and I want to have
  another dog/cat just like her
• Raising a litter is so much fun
• My pet will miss out on an important part of life
  if is not given the opportunity to reproduce
• We can find good homes for the puppies/kittens

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Canine Reproduction

• Four phases in females (not spayed are called
  bitches)
• Typically have 2 estrus or heat periods per
  year (about 6 months apart), each lasting about 2
  to 3 weeks
• First heat occurs between 6 and 15 months of age,
  depending on the size of the dog (later in larger
  breeds earlier for small breeds)
• Females can become pregnant during their first
  heat or any later heat period

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Canine Reproduction

• Proestrus - Start of heat. Lasts 7 to 10 days.
  Vulva swells and blood flows. Females attract
  males but will not allow mounting
• Estrus - Mating period. Lasts 5 to 10 days. Blood
  flow lessens and then stops. Females attract and
  accept males. Ovulation occurs during this time,
  usually 2 to 3 days after mating
• Diestrus - The period 10 to 140 days after heat,
  when the dog is either pregnant or in a resting
  phase
• Anestrus - The resting period between diestrus
  and the next heat cycle

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Canine Reproduction

• During estrus there is variation within dogs
• smaller breeds release fewer oocytes resulting in
  smaller litter sizes than larger breeds
• Polytocous ovulating multiple oocytes and
  bearing multiple offspring or litters

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Canine Reproduction

• Breeding management of dogs
• Gestation length
• 63 days from first breeding
• Ranges from 58 to 68 days
• Imminent delivery
• Drop in rectal temperature
• Will drop from 100ºF to 98ºF - 99ºF about 8 to 12
  hours before labor

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Canine Reproduction

• Intact males do not have a cycle
• Will respond to females in heat any time of the
  year
• Most fertile when full grown

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Canine Reproduction

• The swelling of the bulbus glandis, once inside
  the female reproductive tract, causes the
  copulatory tie
• After intromission, the male steps down from the
  mounting position
• During the tie, the two animals are physically
  unable to separate
• lasts 5-60 minutes, and will separate after
  this time
• damage can be done to the reproductive tracts if
  separated unnaturally