Duration and frequency of estrus
Such active, restless dogs differ from representatives of larger breeds. The first heat in Jack Russell Terriers occurs at approximately one year of age. From this time, females are ready for fertilization, and males are ready for mating. The heat lasts for three weeks. Around the 10th day, the bitch is ready for mating. You can recognize this by the change in color of the discharge. They will become less red and a characteristic white tint will appear.
These dogs come into heat with a certain frequency. Repeats approximately once every 5–7 months. The exact time and frequency depend on the individual physiological characteristics of the dog.
You can understand that a bitch is about to go into heat about two weeks before it starts. Jack Russell Terriers begin to actively lose their hair. After a couple of weeks, you will see that the dog has started to discharge. They will be red at first. Then, closer to the period of ovulation, they will begin to turn white. You will also notice changes in your female dog's behavior as dogs undergo hormonal changes when they are in heat. Accordingly, the psycho-emotional state of the pet changes.
How long does pregnancy last in dogs?
A dog's gestation period ranges from 60 to 70 days. If puppies are born on day 58, they will survive and develop normally; if earlier, this is a pathology. The reasons for this pregnancy outcome may be different. Perhaps the bitch is too young or, conversely, elderly. Also, extra pounds or, conversely, exhaustion also affect the course of pregnancy. Pathologies can arise as a result of injury or disease that did not manifest itself before mating.
The onset of labor depends on the breed and characteristics of the dog’s body. If childbirth has not occurred and has already begun on the 73rd day, then you need to contact a veterinary clinic. In this case, the offspring will be born by caesarean section.
If the bitch gives birth for the first time, then there will be small problems with determining the exact date, since the first pregnancy can proceed unpredictably.
Small breeds of dogs carry offspring for about 2 months. There are 2–4 kittens in a litter. Large dogs can bear 15 puppies. The time of birth usually occurs on the 65th day. The onset of labor on days 55 and 74 is outside the risk zone.
There is a pattern: the more fetuses, the longer the gestation period.
Unlike humans, the gestation period in dogs is short, and there is a simple explanation for this: a dog is a predator, and all predators have a short gestation period, since it is difficult for a female expecting offspring to hunt, and this is a risk for both mother and children. It is easier to carry the cubs out in a short time, and then feed them, hiding them in the den.
How to prepare and carry out mating
As a rule, for mating, a bitch is brought to a dog with whom she is not familiar. Therefore, at the first meeting, her behavior may be aggressive. If the dog is experienced, he still makes contact and practically does not react to manifestations of aggression. If the dog is young, it is better to invite an experienced instructor for mating.
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It is worth considering that males of this breed are distinguished by their activity and special temperament. There is a risk that the “couple” will not work out. It is important to carefully monitor the behavior of dogs when you first meet them. If necessary, you will need to intervene and influence the behavior of the dog.
The male dog should be encouraged to mount the bitch. Ejaculation occurs during vaginal penetration. For this to happen, the bitch must first be put on a leash and secured in a certain position, holding it by the leash or collar. Then the male is brought in.
Ejaculation lasts about 60 seconds. After this time, the dogs spend about 30 minutes in the “castle”. If there is no “lock”, this does not mean that the mating was unsuccessful. But it is better to do it again. This should be done after a day, not earlier. Experts say that control mating is necessary for this breed.
Estrus, mating and pregnancy of Jack Russell Terriers
Restless Jack Russell Terrier dogs are increasingly being purchased as a companion and family friend.
The small size of these dogs, cheerful disposition and friendliness towards people around them make them an excellent city dog, with whom it is pleasant to travel and participate in exhibitions. But the cute puppy is growing up and the owner is faced with the question of whether to breed or not.
If a male dog may not participate in breeding work, happily existing in the role of everyone’s favorite, then for a female dog there is a risk of an unplanned pregnancy or unsuccessful birth.
It is for this reason that the owner must have an understanding of the nuances of the pet’s reproductive period .
Estrus in Jack Russell Terrier dogs
Dogs of medium and small breeds, which include the Jack Russell Terrier, mature and develop physically much earlier than their fellow large breeds. A one-year-old male of this breed is ready to continue the family, and by this age the female is already going through the stage of her first heat or emptying.
Estrus or estrus is the period of preparation of the female body for fertilization.
During this process, accompanied by changes in hormonal levels and some psychophysical changes, the dog goes through several stages. The estrus ends with pregnancy.
In Jack Russell bitches, the frequency of estrus is usually regular, ranging from five to seven months. An attentive owner can determine the beginning of the process with an accuracy of one day. Estrus or estrus is accompanied by the following signs:
- Change in the emotional state of the bitch. She becomes playful, disobedient, shows obvious attention to dogs on the street, and sometimes there is a deterioration in her appetite.
- Shedding. About two weeks before estrus, the dog begins to shed (this applies to smooth-haired Jacks). Shedding is triggered by hormonal changes.
- The bitch marks her territory and sits down during a walk.
- In the first seven days, blood is released from the dog’s genital tract , the amount of which varies from barely noticeable drops to quite abundant amounts. This phase is called preestrus, during which fertilization is impossible.
- On the tenth to thirteenth day from the start of estrus, ovulation occurs . During this period and the few days following it, the bitch is ready for mating. Outwardly, this is manifested by a significant lightening of the bloody discharge and the appearance of light mucus instead. The dog’s behavior also changes; it favorably accepts the males’ advances, freezes motionless when sniffing, moves its tail to the side and lifts the loop of the vulva.
If there was no mating during ovulation, or the bitch for some reason did not become pregnant, then after two weeks the dog’s body returns to its normal state. The loop gradually decreases to normal size and the discharge stops completely. The bitch's behavior returns to normal.
The process of mating and mating of Jack Russell Terriers
It is not true that natural reproductive instincts play a large role during the mating of breeding animals. In most cases, a bitch is brought to breed with a dog that is unfamiliar to her , so most often the dogs behave aggressively, growl and sit down when the dog tries to mount.
Hand-breeding a Jack Russell Terrier is practiced when both dogs are on leashes.
Jack Russell males are very temperamental and active ; sexual instinct and the presence of a female in heat have a strong effect on them. An experienced male Jack or Parson Russell Terrier, which is regularly used for mating, pays almost no attention to the aggression of the bitch.
But such behavior can frighten a young male, so for the first few matings it is advisable to invite a professional instructor .
The instructor's services are paid by agreement, as much as the professional requests, but most often this responsibility falls on the owner of the bitch.
Before mating, the bitch is placed on a leash, using a collar to fix her in one position, preventing her from turning to look at the dog. After this, they bring the male dog, encouraging him to mount the bitch.
When the female is penetrated into the vagina, the male ejaculates. The duration of ejaculation does not exceed a minute, then the dogs stand “in the castle” for about half an hour. It is wrong to think that the absence of a lock is a sign of an unsuccessful mating.
The bulk of sperm is released during friction.
A common practice for breeding Jackcrassel dogs is to carry out a test or re-breeding . This is necessary to best guess the time of ovulation.
Important! Repeated mating is carried out one day after the first.
Pregnancy
If the mating is successful, then fertilization of the eggs occurs. The Jack Russell female's whelping period lasts about sixty days, but the first signs of pregnancy become visible only after the first month of whelping. The first signs of pregnancy are:
- Swelling of the nipples. Noticeable already by the third week of pregnancy.
- Increased volume in the ribs. A dog in a sitting position seems more well-fed.
- Changing the bitch's behavior. She becomes calm, in the first weeks there may be no appetite, she becomes affectionate and intrusive.
- By the fifth week of pregnancy, the bitch’s belly is already clearly visible , the mammary gland beds swell and enlarge.
From the time the first signs of pregnancy appear, the dog is given additional feeding, they stop taking it for training and limit its physical activity as far as the dog’s temperament allows.
Childbirth
The Jack Russell Terrier is a strong and healthy dog breed with normal body proportions. Therefore, females of this breed easily give birth to puppies , and the assistance of a doctor during childbirth is usually not needed. But the owner must be prepared for any complications and arrange in advance with the veterinarian about a possible visit.
Labor begins with regular contractions of the uterus, which can be determined by placing your hand on the dog's stomach. The tense wall of the uterus does not allow palpating the puppies.
The first sign of imminent labor is the release of a mucus plug containing a small amount of blood. If the plug comes off, then in the next few hours the bitch will begin to give birth.
As a rule, the bitch, feeling the contractions of the uterus, begins to behave restlessly, she may tremble, and she looks for a secluded place. These are normal reactions of the body. The dog is placed in a pre-prepared place; it is advisable not to leave it alone for a long time. For support, you can give a piece of chocolate and encourage the animal.
When the puppy is in the birth canal, the bitch begins to push. She pushes the puppy out, pushing, and at the same time be sure to observe the birth process.
If the head or paws appear, there is no need to pull on them; at the next contraction the puppy will be born.
Young bitches often do not experience the maternal instinct, relying on the help of the owner, so as soon as the baby is born, they do the following:
- Tear or cut the membrane of the amniotic sac to allow the puppy to take its first breath.
- After this, the newborn is wiped with a towel , shaking him slightly by the withers. They offer the bitch to lick the baby.
- If the mother does not gnaw the umbilical cord, it is cut off at a distance of three to five centimeters from the baby’s belly. The umbilical cord is only tied if the vessel is bleeding heavily.
- After this, the puppy is placed on the nipple .
During manipulations with the baby, the bitch most often cleans herself up and eats the afterbirth. When the next attempts begin, it is advisable to take the newborn to another room, placing it in a warm basket or box with soft cloth. The puppies are brought back after the birth is over, when the wet bedding is removed.
How to prepare for and deliver a baby
Bitches of this breed give birth to puppies quite easily. As a rule, you don't even need the help of a veterinarian to deliver a Jack Russell Terrier. Labor begins with frequent contractions of the uterus. If you notice that the mucus plug has come off, this means that the bitch will give birth soon. At this time, the dog will behave restlessly. It must be arranged in a pre-prepared place. It is highly advisable not to leave the dog alone, but to be nearby.
As soon as the puppy is born, even if labor is still ongoing, it is important to give the baby to the mother so that she can lick it. Then, if the bitch refuses to bite the umbilical cord, it must be cut off. It is necessary to bandage only if the vessel begins to bleed. Before the next attempts of the bitch, the already born baby should be placed in a warm basket or box in which a soft, warm cloth is laid.
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Pregnancy and childbirth in the Jack Russell Terrier
Usually Jack Russell Terrier dogs cope with childbirth on their own, but under no circumstances should you leave your pet alone at this moment. After all, your help may be needed at any moment.
Moreover, you must monitor her physical and psychological condition not only during childbirth, but throughout the entire pregnancy. You also need to prepare for the pre- and postpartum period.
We will tell you in this article what you need to know in order to properly deliver a Jack Russell Terrier.
Start of the process
Since contractions (contractions of the muscles of the uterus) usually last from twelve hours to a day, you may not immediately notice the onset of labor. Frequent heavy breathing of the dog is its harbinger.
After eight to ten hours, the intervals between contractions become shorter. This is reflected in the dog’s behavior - it begins to lower its tail, its eyes turn red, and trembling covers the entire body of the bitch. She begins to intensively lick her genitals and look for a suitable position.
At this time, it is necessary to take the pet outside so that she has time to go to the toilet before the birth begins.
When the interval between contractions has decreased to ten to fifteen minutes, pushing begins - contractions of the dog’s abdominal muscles. Labor is about to begin. If more than three hours have passed since this moment, and the first puppy has not been born, call the veterinarian. Most likely, the bitch will have to have a caesarean section.
The puppy may appear either head first or paws forward. Both options are quite acceptable. Usually the bitch herself must rupture the amniotic sac in which the baby appears and gnaw the umbilical cord. If the dog is too weak to do this, you will have to help him.
Tear the membrane around the puppy's head and free it from the bubble. After this, carefully dry the puppy with a towel and remove mucus and liquid from his mouth and nose with a cloth. Then cut the umbilical cord. To do this, pinch it with two fingers, retreat three centimeters and cut it with sterilized scissors. Tie the umbilical cord with a silk thread and wipe the puppy's navel with Xydicol.
If the puppy is lethargic or shows no signs of life at all, then you need to suck out the fluid from the mouth and nose using an enema. Turn the baby upside down and lightly pat him on the back. After your actions, the baby should move. You can also give your baby a light chest massage to stimulate his vital functions.
After the birth of a puppy, the female Jack Russell Terrier produces an afterbirth - the child's place. There is no need to throw it away; usually the dog eats it, as it contains useful substances.
Typically, a Jack Russell Terrier will give birth to four to five puppies. Accordingly, after each birth of a baby, the placenta should come out. But a dog cannot eat more than two pieces - an overdose of substances contained in the placenta can lead to poisoning.
The interval between the appearance of puppies varies from fifteen minutes to two hours. If more than the prescribed period has passed since the birth of the puppy, and the female Jack Russell Terrier behaves calmly, then the birth is over. Do not forget to keep the maternity ward clean - change the bedding or diaper after each newborn.
Be sure to place the first two puppies near their mother so that they can begin to suck milk from her nipples. This has a good effect on childbirth - it stimulates contractions and pushing. This is also useful for puppies - with mother’s milk they receive vitality and the first immunity against various infections.
It is better to put the remaining puppies in a pre-prepared box for now. Then, when the first puppies have eaten well, put them in the box, and put new, still hungry puppies with the bitch. All puppies can be left with their mother after the dog has fully recovered.
There should be a heating pad in the box for the offspring so that the babies do not catch a cold, since their temperature drops very quickly after birth. They can be covered with a clean and warm towel on top for additional warmth.
Also, do not forget to maintain a temperature of twenty-eight degrees in the room where the birth takes place. You can install a heater for this, but it should not be too close to the whelping box or the box with the puppies.
Postpartum period
Once the labor is over, you need to give your Jack Russell Terrier bitch some warm milk tea to help her regain her strength. Be sure to wipe the dog's genitals with synthomycin ten percent ointment to prevent possible infection.
After forty minutes, you can walk the dog so that it can calmly go to the toilet. But the walk should not be long, because the dog is still too weak. While you are outside with your pet, ask someone from your household to clean the maternity ward.
The box is cleaned daily for fourteen days. This is done not only for the comfort of the mother and her babies, but also to prevent them from contracting any infection.
The first ten to fourteen days after giving birth, the female Jack Russell Terrier may have bloody discharge. Don't worry - this is a normal recovery process. Gradually they will stop. But if the discharge is green and the pet has a fever, it means she is experiencing an inflammatory process. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.
For the first few days, you should feed your dog kefir or cottage cheese. Special ready-made food is also suitable. If your Jack Russell Terrier bitch has no milk or very little milk, consult your veterinarian.
He will prescribe treatment to increase lactation.
If medications do not help, then you will have to feed the puppies yourself using special milk, which can be purchased at a specialty store or veterinary pharmacy.
How was your dog's birth?
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